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Soundboks 2 is the massive Bluetooth boombox to rule them all
In February 2016, a new kind of Bluetooth speaker arrived on Kickstarter and easily met its goal. It was called Soundboks, a massive portable battery-powered unit that was built to rock a party and survive the experience with its metal grille and roadie case-style edges. A few months ago, the Soundboks 2 was launched with a series of improvements, including an audio boost up to 122 dB. This speaker has a rock-solid build and owes its beefy output to two 10-inch woofers, a soft dome tweeter and three amplifiers with boost converters to help maximize sound and efficiency. This thing is a monster, but in a good way and I just had to try it out. It's definitely a powerful sound system, but it doesn't come cheap at $899. This speaker wasn't made for everyone, though. It's eminently useful for things like street side busking, flashmob parties, mobile DJing and beach bonfire bashes, while it may be overkill for listening to NPR podcasts in the kitchen. Modern-day Radio Raheems will enjoy the freshly redesigned LiFePO4 battery, which is rated for about eight hours on a charge at full volume and 40 (or more) hours if you're keeping it chill.
The best Chromecast speaker
By Brent Butterworth This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After a blind listening test and more than 40 hours of casual use with a variety of speakers, we think the JBL Playlist is the best Chromecast speaker for most people. It sounds good and looks great, and is priced low enough that you can buy several for the price of one high-end Chromecast or competing Wi-Fi speaker.
Harman now has smart speakers for Alexa, Cortana and Google Assistant
When you're looking for a smart home speaker, you might think you're stuck with those made by Amazon, Apple or Google in order to use the specific intelligent assistants from the respective companies. Now, however, you can pick up a speaker that works with Alexa or Google Assistant, in addition to the one that already supports Microsoft's Cortana. The Samsung-owned Harman International just announced three new JBL Link speakers at IFA, each a voice activated speaker with Google Assistant built in. The company also revealed the Harman Kardon Allure, an Alexa-enabled smart speaker with 360-degree sound.
JBL's Everest Elite cans let you hear actual reality in VR
Normally when you're tooling around in a virtual world, you want the experience to be as immersive as possible. But there's a downside to being cut off from the outside world -- what if the phone rings or the pizza guy starts knocking or a crazed ax murderer breaks in the back door? Well, if you happen to have a pair of JBL Everest Elite headphones and an HTC Vive, you'll be able to take that call, receive that pizza or head Mr. Choppy off at the stairs. All without taking off your ear cans.
Pulse by Sengled: iOS-controllable LED lights, with speakers by JBL
Smartphone-controlled LED lights with integrated speakers are nothing new, but they've always had some shortcomings. For one thing, there was always the speakers, which seemed to be an added afterthought and never provided decent stereo sound. Sengled's new Pulse Dimmable LED lights with wireless speakers (US$179 for a pair) are the first to provide a master/satellite setup that ensures true stereo sound in a bright and energy-efficient light fixture. Specifications US Version: works in any standard E26 socket Power Consumption: 15W typical, 30W peak Dimensions: 5.46" height x 3.86" diameter Weight: 14.82 ounces Audio System Power: 13 watts, with 1.75" full-range high-fidelity speaker, 100 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response Bluetooth Standard: v2.1 + EDR, with A2DP, AVRCP, SPP profiles Design Where some of the early LED light/speaker combos had laughably bad designs, Sengled obviously put some thought into the design of the Pulse. The lights have a tympani-like shape, with a gentle flare and scalloping that's reminiscent of a tulip. There are two exterior finishes, pewter and candy apple red. Being almost 4 inches in diameter, you'll need to put some thought into what fixtures you put the lights into. Sengled's website shows the lights going into a recessed ceiling fixture, which would be perfect for this design. The lights are set up as a master device and a satellite device that can placed up to 100 feet apart (line of sight). Your iPhone or iPad, running the Pulse by Sengled app (free), can stream just about any music source directly to the master device. It then beams the stereo channel to the satellites (you will eventually be able to have up to eight speaker bulbs) over a 5 GHz wireless network. Functionality Installation of the Pulse lights is as simple as screwing a light bulb into a socket. Once the light is installed and power turned on, you fire up the app, which displays a welcome page while searching for the master light. Once connected, the app displays a control screen with two tabs -- "Lights" and "Sound". Each tab has a "dial" that you can swipe in a circle to control the intensity of the light or the volume of sound. It's a very intuitive UI, much easier to understand than some of the bizarre apps I've seen with other light/speaker combos. The app also includes an "equalizer", which is actually just 7 sound effect settings: normal, pop, jazz, classical, rock, vocal and movie. The sound from the speakers, as you'd expect, is quite a bit better than what I've heard from other light/speaker combos on the market. While it can't compete with dedicated wireless speaker systems, the sound from the JBL speakers is fairly impressive. Conclusion Pulse by Sengled is a well-designed light/speaker combo that addresses the poor audio quality associated with many similar products. The price is reasonable compared to other less-capable speaker lights, and the design is attractive and functional. Coupled with an easy-to-use iOS app, Pulse is definitely worth considering if you're in the market for this type of combination Bluetooth accessory. Rating: 3-1/2 stars out of 4 stars possible
Spotify headed to Harman's ritzy JBL wireless music docks
Want to listen to that back-to-school playlist with a bit of panache? Harman International's chi-chi JBL Authentics L16 and L8 wireless streaming docks now support Spotify Connect streaming, letting you control songs from your phone while not actually streaming from it. On top of improving Bluetooth range, that means you can play games or surf without interrupting music playback. The Authentic devices also support Airplay and DLNA connectivity, and come with an optional Qi charging pad. If you were thinking the L16 dock shown above looks pretty posh, bear in mind that it also runs a cool $1,000 (the L8 is $500). If those figures don't make you flinch, Spotify-equipped units are now shipping, and existing Authentics devices will receive an update soon.
HTC's latest J Butterfly is a supercharged One M8 in a waterproof body
Japanese carrier KDDI has just announced a new HTC J Butterfly, a handset which resembles the HTC One in specs, but with features aimed at KDDI's home market. Like a lot of other Japanese devices, the 5-inch, full HD handset is waterproof in case you feel like taking fish photos. And to do so, the latest from HTC has brand new cameras: a 13-megapixel rear dual-camera model with a selfie-friendly 5-megapixel front shooter. That differs from the One M8's 4-megapixel Duo "Ultrapixel" camera. KDDI instead calls it a "Duo Effect" camera, with the secondary 2-megapixel module giving depth-of-field adjustment and other features. Filling out the spec sheet are a Snapdragon 801, 802.11ac WiFi, LTE-Advanced, 150Mbps 4g, 2GB of RAM, Android 4.4 KitKat, JBL audio profile (plus bundled earphones) and a Dot View case. All of that sounds pretty nice, but will it come to US shores? Hard to say, but the last J Butterfly model did eventually arrive as the Droid DNA (to Verizon), so we wouldn't be surprised to see the new model here too.
Meet the One, OnePlus' $299 Nexus killer
Rarely do we see a tech startup spending five months actively hyping up an unborn product; and when we do, most of them end up being vaporware. Luckily, that's not the case with OnePlus. Today, the Shenzhen-based company has finally unveiled its first smartphone, the One (not to be confused with the HTC One). While the device's impressive specs have already been listed in detail beforehand, OnePlus had remained tight-lipped about the actual prices (unsubsidized) until today: $299/£229/€269 for the 16GB model, and $349/£269/€299 for the 64GB flavor; both due mid to late May. This aggressive pricing is obviously going right after the Nexus 5 ($349 for 16GB, $399 for 32GB), but is this too good to be true?
JBL's Flip 2 speaker, Synchros S400BT cans and J46BT in-ears suit all listening habits
Portable audio wares are never in short supply here at CES, and JBL is looking to do its part to maintain those levels. Adding to the fray, the company has announced a Bluetooth-enabled trio with the Flip 2 speaker, Synchros S400BT headphones and J46BT in-ears to suit a variety of mobile listening sensibilities. The Flip 2 is the follow-up to last year's Flip and offers tech for making clearer speakerphone calls on top of its rechargeable wireless chops. There's also a pair of drivers and on-board bass ports to handle the audio duties for the $129 unit. If you're ready to upgrade from the previous model, the Flip 2 is up for pre-order now in red, blue, yellow, white and black color schemes and is set to ship next month. Next, the Synchros S400BT cans offer both wired and wireless listening thanks to Bluetooth 3.0. Packing in advanced aptX functionality and JBL's PureBass for improved audio quality, the set sports soft ear cushions, a steel headband and collapsible form factor. On the left earcup, controls for volume, track control and receiving calls are sorted with a touch-sensitive panel. In fact, an LED light tracks your finger in order to cater to your cues on the $299 device. The S400BT will be available in black and white when it arrives in February, but you can nab a pre-order now -- if you'd rather lock a pair down. Last but not least, for the in-ear listening crowd, the J46BT wireless buds sport Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility and an in-line remote for switching back and forth between Katy Perry and incoming calls. The J46BT are shipping now for $99 in your choice of black, white or blue.
The best headphones: JBL Synchros S700
I grew up with my dad instilling in me an appreciation for sounds. Maybe it was the Iron Butterfly while in the womb, or the vinyl records or the high-end audio gear, but I wound up with perfect pitch and a golden ear. Like any audiophile, I think listening to heavily compressed music is a drag. Still, if your speakers aren't up to the task of clearly separating the frequencies, even the clearest recording can get muddy. Beats headphones are great if you want mushy music filled with thumps that have nothing to do with tonality -- they are merely a fashion accessory. The vast majority of headphones you pick up in airports and convenience stores wouldn't impress a bump on a log with their fidelity. And while I have long sported my Sony MDR-7506 headphones for all demanding audio tasks, I think I have a new favorite set of headphones. The JBL Synchros S700 are simply the most delightful set of ear goggles I've ever worn. They even have a mic and controller nub, so they are designed for mobile use. Design The Synchros are a beauty right out of the black case (included). The soft leather mounted on the metal bar that rests upon your head is soft as can be, with enough padding to sit atop your noggin for hours without discomfort. The ear pieces are similarly soft around the ears, although I did find the circular shape might be problematic for those with less-than-circular ear shapes. All of the metal on the headphones is high quality, and they have heft without too much weight to them as a result. They are sturdy, but not stiff. The cords can be removed, and there are two: one for charging (I'll explain in a bit) and one that has the audio plug on either end. The one for audio includes a small controller/mic nub, with volume and stop/start buttons. The cords are black and nondescript, much like the Synchros I tried, although the mic nub felt like the cheapest part. This is mostly because the rest of the unit is absolutely gorgeous. Functionality You'll need to charge the Synchros once in a while (the battery lasts a long time, like other JBL and Kardon products I've tested), as there's a button to engage the "LiveStage" sound. This enhances the audio to make it more like a live stage experience. In fact, I got to try the LiveStage sound while comparing to an actual live stage performance, and I can tell you the result was terribly impressive. You see, there's quite a bit of science that Kardon has poured into audio research, specifically headphone design, and the product reflects this. In double-blind tests, more people preferred the balance and overall sound of the Synchros, even to Beats. Myself, I've always loved my Sony MDR-7506 headphones for audio work. But my MDR's don't have a mic or LiveStage, so I don't see myself walking through the Atlanta airport with them. The Synchros have even cushier padding for the ears, and stow flat (in a very nice case) and do a good job of isolating sound, making them great for tuning out the world. Without going into the science of it, I'll tell you how good the sound is on the S700s: You'll never notice the headphones. That's sort of the point. Unlike a performance instrument, which you want to have "character" (tiny imperfections that give an instrument a unique sound), headphones should not be judged based on how they distort your music. Beats, again, provide an example by way of largesse. Sure, Beats have strong bass response. Do you need that listening to Mozart? Do you need that listening to bluegrass? The defining characteristic of the Synchros is not their ability to assist one particular genre of music, but the ability to enhance all music, as though they were chameleons of sound reproduction. The Synchros get out of the way and allow you the best listening experience. Conclusion OK, JBL has made a near-perfect set of headphones with the Synchros S700. The bad news is they will cost you (the best-engineered things in life are not free). A pair of S700s will cost you US$349.95 from JBL, possibly slightly less elsewhere. Also, they're on pre-order right now and should be shipping in mid-January. If you love music and can afford them, I cannot recommend these headphones enough. They are, in my opinion, perhaps the best headphones you can buy for accurate sound reproduction.
JBL's Pulse speaker lets you program an LED light show for when your disco needs you
Remember when you first used iTunes and you'd turn on the visualizer, and just stare at the screen as the psychedelic patterns pulsed to the music? Yeah, well no one does that anymore. But since the dream of the '90s is back (it is, right?), JBL's letting music lovers install a bit of the dancefloor in their homes with the Pulse -- blacklight posters optional. The LED-laden, cylindrical speaker has two 40mm drivers powering its sound, up to ten hours of battery life, NFC and Bluetooth for quick device pairing and audio streaming, as well as five pre-set light configurations for users to choose from. Don't worry, you can also customize the LED array to your liking -- which is all you should really care about, anyway -- and control setup from a companion app. JBL's $200 rave-speaker isn't set to ship from its site until next month, but you can go ahead and pre-order one now for your very own den of iniquity. And, while you're at it, may as well dust off those JNCOs, too.
Harman Kardon Onyx, JBL Spark and Pebbles speakers debut at IFA
A part of all its audio announcements during IFA, Harman's showing off new multimedia speakers. The $499 Onyx leads the pack with a leather-wrapped standing circular design, compatibility with Airplay and DLNA, Bluetooth (aptX and AAC) with NFC paring and a six-hour rechargeable battery. A duo of three-inch woofers and 3/4-inch tweeters are housed in its enclosure, all of which are independently powered for a total peak output of 60-watts RMS. The speaker also uses Harman's DSP and packs dual passive bass radiators for optimal lowend response. A stainless steel handle makes it easy to carry between rooms and there's a 3.5mm input to ensure your jams never stop pumping if wireless connectivity is an issue. Expect it to be available later in the year. Aside from that centerpiece, two new speakers are coming out of the JBL division. Getting less serious, the $130 Spark is an indoor Bluetooth speaker with a quirky transparent design that's shaped like a megaphone. The unit needs to plug into a wall for power, but features stereo output via two 40mm drivers, an inline controller on its fabric cable and a hook if you want to mount it to a wall. Lastly, the brand's $59 Pebbles are a coupled pair of USB-powered desktop speakers. The enclosures can stand vertically or horizontally and pack dual 50mm drivers aided by DSP. An auxiliary input is also onboard for your mp3 player, as is a cable management system for when you need to pack 'em up. Both the Spark and Pebbles will be available in a range of colors when they eventually hit shelves. Press releases for all the speakers mentioned are viewable after the break. Follow all of our IFA 2013 coverage by heading to our event hub!
IRL: JBL PlayUp speaker and the BlackBerry Q5 on Telus
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Is it pandering to have one of our Canadian writers play with every new BlackBerry? Perhaps -- not that we could've stopped him anyway. In this week's issue, we have Mr. Jon Fingas sharing his thoughts on the Q5 and its physical keyboard, while Philip splurges on JBL speakers to match his new Lumia 1020.
JBL OnBeat Venue LT review and giveaway
JBL has been making the OnStage line for a while now. I still use an older model for my ancient iPod photo (remember that gem?). The Venue LT I tested has a pop-out Lightning dock, however, and the oomph of a larger system. I've always been impressed with JBL's audio gear, but the Venue LT provides you with plenty of connections in a sleek package for a reasonable price. Design I'm always amazed at how small JBL can make its speakers without compromising the volume of the sound. While the Venue isn't tiny, it is dense (meaning the magnets driving the speakers are heavy), and shaped so that it feels like a big bullet in your hands. A big, heavy, plastic bullet. Despite being plastic, the build quality is very good. The Slipstream bass ports, as with all proper sound ports, are designed to help pump up the sound and are aimed towards the back. There's a thin fabric stretched across the plastic grill, which protects the speakers. If you're doing to be moving this around a lot, note that the fabric isn't protected behind plastic or rubber, like some speakers. Still, that lack of protection is what makes the Venue so sleek. That sleekness comes with a small price, however. Up top are the buttons and indicator lights. The volume buttons are not lit, and several times I was perplexed as to how to turn the volume down (even though I know left = down). Without paint to accentuate the plus/minus signs, you'll need a lot of light to see them. Frankly I don't tend to put my speakers under a spotlight, so this because a bit of a problem. Similarly, the power, EQ buttons and audio routing button are hard to read, though they are poorly backlit, so you essentially will need to memorize the buttons on the top of the device. That's not terrible, but it's a design choice that makes an impact on the actual use of the device. Don't compromise function over form if you can help it! One nice feature of the Venue's design is a pop-out tray for the Lightning port. If you're just using the Venue as a speaker, not as a dock, you'll appreciate the fact that you can hide the tray entirely -- although the little gray rubber nub (where your iDevice would rest its back panel) would remain a curiosity. One problem with the tray is that the Lightning port itself can only plug into devices with no case -- at least, none of the minimal cases I tried would work. Despite the fact that the port has a bit of swivel, it seems to be made so that any case which adds width to the bottom of your device, even up to an inch away from the port itself, will prevent a secure connection. So be aware of that. I don't use a case with my iPhone 5, so it wasn't a huge deal. While Bluetooth is probably the easiest way to connect your device to the Venue, the Lightning port also charges your iDevices, and quite rapidly from what I saw. You can also connect through a 3.5mm auxilliary audio port, but since the Venue is designed to power down after a certain period of time of no sound, you won't be able to set up an Airport Xpress-based speaker system. I found myself having to get up and power on the JBL if I forgot to keep playing audio on whatever I had plugged in. That doesn't happen with the Bluetooth or dock, but one unit I tested did have a slightly annoying feature of relaying all of my system audio to the Bluetooth speaker. So if I was charging my iPhone and got a text, I got a very loud text through the speaker. I've been told that some of the issues I was having (like volume being set very loud when first plugging in) were abnormal, and another unit seems to be working better. Finally, the Venue LT is not designed to be an outdoor speaker. It must remain plugged in to AC, and there's a small round port on the back for the external AC adapter, which also has a nice big transformer brick attached. I was thankful that the plug wasn't a wall wart, however, and is long enough to likely be tucked under something. Function As a speaker the Venue is outstanding for a couple of reasons. While I'm not a big fan of those pre-set EQ buttons, they definitely punch up the presence of the audio -- even if it's just boosting the bass and treble a tad. The real beauty of the Venue, however, is its support of high-quality AAC streaming over Bluetooth, and the use of Harman TrueStream technology. According to Harman-Kardon, TrueStream is "Bluetooth hi-fi" -- and compared to some other Bluetooth speakers I've heard, it works well. Not only that, but it's very fast to connect and allows you to "store" up to 8 devices at a time. Back to the actual sound of the speakers, however. JBL is notable for making loud stuff, and also somewhat reviled for having a "too bright" sound. That is, it tends to accentuate the highs and not the lows, and that leaves a muffled mid-range sound as well. There's plenty of clarity, thanks to the highs, but I would say the mids are not as present, which lends itself more to pop and less to, say, folk music. But man is this thing loud. Part of the reason I had to get another unit was because I would plug in my phone and the sound (as there's no volume indicator) would actually hurt my ears! I have learned not to put my face directly in front of the speaker. Still, this thing is designed to be loud, and I cannot fault it for that. I have little doubt that this speaker, not two feet in length, could fill a rather large room with sound. It's a little crazy how loud this thing gets, and JBL's signature orange pads on the bottom were doing a good job of keeping the speaker on a table while I stress-tested it (and probably woke up my neighbors). Perhaps that's where the name Venue comes from. Bottom Line If you are in the market for a loud speaker dock, the JBL OnBeat Venue LT is a good deal, retailing for about $200. The outstanding Bluetooth implementation and the pop-out dock are great selling points, and extremely useful if you need them. If you are an audiophile, you might be somewhat disappointed by the mid-range sound. If you intend to have this plugged in all the time using the aux input, you will also be annoyed that it powers down. I'm also hoping JBL rethinks the button lighting on the top of the device. But even with those relatively minor flaws, this is a very good purchase, possibly the best in its class. JBL makes a great product (and stands behind it), and I suspect you can find this unit pretty much anywhere. If you need volume and a place to charge up your Lightning device all wrapped into a sleek and unassuming package, the Venue LT is a perfect choice. If you just need a speaker with great sound and several connection options, I still recommend the Venue highly. At this price point, I doubt you'll find much better sound. Giveaway! And we're giving one of these suckers away to a lucky TUAW reader. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 30, 2013 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected. One will receive a JBL OnBeat Venture LR with a value of $199.95. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
JBL Spark Bluetooth speaker uncovered at the FCC with wall mounting, retro looks
JBL is known for its love of exotic speaker designs, but a new FCC approval suggests it's about to turn back the clock for its next look. An unannounced Spark Bluetooth speaker appearing at the US agency wouldn't look out of place at the top of a gramophone -- albeit one draped in red plastic. It could also be part of the decor, as a manual in the filing suggests there's support for mounting brackets. While the FCC filing doesn't give away any launch details for the Spark, the 13W of total power hints that we won't be paying a lot for our semi-retro audio.
JBL Rumble, OnBeat Mini and Charge spotted at CES, we go ears-on
One of the more colorful -- in the literal sense -- announcements during the CES build-up was the new line of Bluetooth speakers from JBL. Here at Pepcom we spotted them out in the wild, so thought we'd take the chance to go hands- and ears-on. The little guy, aka the Charge, was the first of the bunch we heard pumping out some tunes, and our inability to hear the company reps telling us more about it is testament to how loud it is for such a small device. The design of the Charge also looks -- objectively -- even better in real life. The modern design and materials work really well with the vibrant color schemes, and while we didn't have time to test out that 12-hour battery life, everything else looked pretty solid to us. The middle baby of the trio -- the OnBeat Mini -- is much more demure, with the low-profile unit sitting discreetly on the table top, just quietly -- or loudly, rather -- getting on with pumping out the jams from the iPad mini perched on top of it. This, of course, puts Lightning connectivity center stage, and despite its diminutive form (the connector, not the iPad) Apple's mini tablet felt securely housed within the dock itself. Our favorite of the bunch would possibly be the Rumble -- not just because the name sounds like it means business, but also because the bold design and impressive, weighty sound seem fitting of the name. The whole front of the unit has the classic speaker grille-style finish, and despite looking like a heavyset piece of kit, it's surprisingly light, yet solid feeling. More pictures of the whole family can be found in out gallery. Sean Cooper contributed to this report.
Harman bringing trio of JBL speakers and pair of AV receivers to CES
Harman has joined several other companies in jumping the CES gun, announcing five new products it's bringing to the show. First up is the JBL Charge, a hardy Bluetooth speaker which promises an impressive 12 hours of tunes on a single charge. If you are willing to sacrifice some of that play time, you can siphon power from the internal battery to other kit via the speaker's USB port. Expected to start shipping in Q1 2013, you should be able to pick one up for around $149. Joining JBL's OnBeat range are the Mini and Rumble speaker docks, which are both compatible with Apple's Lightning connector. The Mini is a fairly standard dock which will play and charge for up five hours on battery power, and should be available this coming March for around $149. The Rumble, however, is a little more equipped, with both Lightning and Bluetooth streaming options, as well as a 4.5-inch, "down-firing subwoofer" for bass junkies. That extra muscle is reflected in the price, though, which is likely to be $399 when it hits stores next spring. A couple of new Kardon-branded A/V receivers from Harman are also coming along to CES -- the AVR 2700 and 3700. Both have multi-zone functionality, are stacked with wireless features including internet radio, AirPlay and DLNA connectivity, and can be controlled using iOS and Android apps. The AVR 2700 has eight HDMI ports and 4K video scaling for when you get round to buying that UHDTV, as well as 7.1-channel audio (at 100 watts per channel). The AVR 3700 adds WiFi connectivity, and has 7.2 channels (at 125 watts per channel) for adding a second woofer to your setup. When they become available to purchase in Q1 2013, expect wallet damage to the tune of $799 for the 2700, or $999 for the 3700. You can get a closer look at all the Harman products in the press shots below (complete with unnecessary reflection), and if you're into PRs, there are a whole bunch awaiting you after the break. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2012: speakers and docks
Welcome to the Engadget holiday gift guide! Picking presents for friends and loved ones is never a simple task, and with thousands of options for each category, buying technology can be an especially frustrating experience. We're here to help. Below you'll find today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to our hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. And don't forget to enter our giveaway -- leave a comment for a chance to nab AT&T's Samsung Galaxy Express. Apple may have killed off the ubiquitous 30-pin connector, but that doesn't mean the dock is dead. Millions of older iPhones and iPads remain in use today -- and will for many years to come -- and Bluetooth and WiFi-equipped speaker rigs let you pipe in tunes regardless of your device's hardware port. Apple's Lightning adapter will also let last year's docks remain relevant, while standard 3.5mm inputs ensure compatibility with nearly any audio source. You should, of course, be aware of each system's connectivity before making a purchase, but don't let that previous-gen plug dissuade you from picking up an otherwise awesome setup. As always, we're happy to assist as you sort through the selection -- here are our top finds for every budget, so queue up some tunes and blast past the break.
JBL Power Up speaker and wireless charger combo now shipping, whimsically priced around $250
The fruit of JBL's partnership with Espoo, the Power Up wireless speaker and induction charger, has just landed at AT&T and Verizon. Aside from receiving your beats over Bluetooth, the 2 x 10-watt speaker can also charge Qi-compatible devices like the Lumia 920 and the Nexus 4. It uses TI's latest power chip for an enlarged charging area, and packs NFC for quick pairing. Unlike TDK's more portable option, the Power Up retains its power cable, but it does come in cheaper than its rival at $250. (Or, for some reason, $300 if you buy it at AT&T.) [Thanks, Brandon]
JBL releases iOS docks with Lightning connector
Audio accessory manufacturer JBL has released a pair of docks with Lightning connectors for the iPhone 5, iPad mini, iPad (fourth generation), iPod touch (fifth generation) and iPod nano (seventh generation). To start with, the OnBeat Micro (US$99.95) is a compact design that works perfectly with the iPhone 5 as a charger and speaker. Running off of both AC power and battery power, you're assured that you'll be awakened if you're using that iPhone 5 as an alarm clock. The OnBeat Venue Lightning ($199.95, see image below) pumps out 30 watts of amplified sound from any Lightning-equipped Apple device. It's also equipped with Bluetooth for remote beaming of music to the speakers. Both docks are currently available for pre-order and are listed as shipping "when available."
