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Now Alexa can do your bidding through Ultimate Ears' speakers
Alexa keeps making its way to non-Amazon devices recently, such as Anker's Dot clone and HTC's U11 phone. Now, it's gracing two more devices with its presence: Ultimate Ears' Boom 2 and Megaboom wireless speakers. Simply press the Bluetooth button and issue a voice command to play music, order food, get sports scores and do other things Alexa is capable of wherever you are, whether you're in the pool, out for a picnic or just chilling at home.
Jawbone dropped by customer service provider for failure to pay
It's been a rough year for Jawbone. A few months back, the company had reportedly halted production on new fitness trackers, and was said to be selling itself off after missing a payment to a creditor. Today, the Jawbone rumor mill churns just a little harder: according to a new report from Business Insider, the company's customer service provider, NexRep, has cut ties with the company for failure to pay. "Jawbone is not able to pay us for past services," claims an internal email to NexRep employees. "Their ability to pay us in the future is uncertain at this point." The report also asserts that Jawbone's inventory is almost completely exhausted.
Jawbone is reportedly stopping production on all of its fitness trackers (update)
Jawbone has struggled to gain traction in the fitness-tracking market for some time, despite being one of the first to the market. Now, it looks like the company is ready to cash it in entirely. A report from Tech Insider claims the company has stopped making its Up line of fitness trackers and sold all of its remaining inventory to a third-party distributor. While the door remains open for the company to try again, it certainly feels like it's ready to exit the market.
UE's updated Roll speaker brings a volume and range boost
Ultimate Ears overhauled its entry-level speaker around this time last year, reintroducing it as the UE Roll. This leveled the playing field for its trio of Bluetooth speakers, giving them all improved internals, Bluetooth 4.0 and app compatibility. Today, the company has announced a new successor, the UE Roll 2. This updated model boasts internal tweaks, including improved Bluetooth range and a 15 percent volume boost. On the outside, nothing has changed, which is fine by me: Last year's slim, saucer-shaped design made for easy stowage, while the stretchable bungie cord allowed for some versatile mounting options. Thanks to its portability and sound quality, the original Roll was already a worthwhile option, and with the price staying the same at $100/£79, we expect we'll enjoy the Roll 2 as well. I was curious, though, to find out if the audio and range boosts would be noticeable in real-world use.
Beep's wireless adapter for old-school stereos now supports Spotify
Beep's volume knob slash WiFi adapter reincarnates your aging stereo as a wireless model, but it only worked with Pandora streaming -- up until now. The company's just added Spotify's Connect service to its app, meaning you can select the Beep device you want to stream to (assuming you have more than one) and play your Spotify tunes normally. You'll need to have a Spotify Premium subscription to do that, however, since Connect isn't supported on the free, ad-supported service. The other problem is actually getting one of the $99 devices (available in copper or gunmetal). You can pre-order, but the next batch isn't shipping until next February.
Jawbone now lets you link Mini Jamboxes -- if you happen to have two
As far as portable Bluetooth speakers go, Jawbone's Mini Jambox falls short of being our favorite; it's more expensive than the competition, without being significantly better. Given that, then, you might want to take this post with a grain of salt: The company just announced a new feature called Multiplay that allows you to turn the tiny Jambox into a stereo speaker. The catch? You need not one, but two of these $150 units to make it work (N.B.: They're priced at $130 right now, but only as a limited-time offer). Assuming you can pony up, or have a friend with the same speaker, you can send music from one to the other by holding down three buttons on the device. Or, you can play the same song through both at once, with the option to designate a right and left speaker, allowing for a wider soundstage. (The Mini already has a "LiveAudio" feature that does basically the same thing, except the effect is subtler.) Given the prohibitive cost, this is a fairly improbable setup for most folks. That said, if you happen to own the Mini, and have access to a second unit, you can enjoy the feature now through a free firmware update.
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.
Logitech announces stylish Bluetooth Speakers Z600
Logitech has announced another in a series of Apple-compatible accessories, this time a pair of Bluetooth speakers that will compliment any MacBook or iPad. The Logitech Bluetooth Speakers Z600 (US$149.99) are currently available for pre-order on the Logitech website, and will be widely available in the US and Europe in August. The speakers resemble stretched power plant cooling towers, which sounds weird, but actually looks good. On the back of one of the "towers" you can find controls, and both speakers are connected to the power adapter and each other by specially designed lie-flat cables. The circular top of one speaker acts as a touch-sensitive volume control, and up to three devices can be paired to the speakers at any time. If you happen to be one of those folks who has an old Mac that you purchased in the pre-Bluetooth years, don't worry. The Bluetooth Speakers Z600 come with a special USB dongle that allows almost any device to stream music to the speakers. TUAW is expecting to get a pair of the Bluetooth Speakers Z600 soon for a full review. In the meantime, start clearing some space on your desktop for these slender towers of sound.
Logitech's new Z600 Bluetooth speakers cost $150, let you connect up to three devices at once
A simple, virtual stroll through the internet would easily convey that Bluetooth speakers aren't the hot item they once were. Still, who would complain about having a vast amount of options to choose from? The latest set comes by way of Logitech with the Z600, a pair of Bluetooth 2.0 sound blasters capable of being connected to up to three devices simultaneously -- the company says it's as easy as pressing pause on one and play on another to switch between them. The Z600's sleek looks are complemented by three undisclosed drivers in each speaker and touch volume controls; there are also a couple of alternatives to Bluetooth as well, including a 3.5mm audio jack and USB transceiver. Logitech will be putting these on shelves across the US and Europe next month for $149.99, but if you're interested you can pre-order them now from the source below.
IRL: iPod Classic and the WhoSounds TARDIS Bluetooth Speaker
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. It wasn't our intention to run a nostalgia-themed IRL on Memorial Day, but here we are. After the break, Dan Cooper relives his fascination with the TARDIS time machine, and Brian swears he doesn't care if you laugh at him for using an ancient iPod.
Panasonic's SC-NP10 wireless speaker now on sale for $200
We got up close and personal with Panasonic's SC-NP10 wireless speaker during the madness of CES, but came away without any details on the unit's price or release date. As of today, the company's $200 Bluetooth box is up for sale. While Panasonic bills this 2.1 channel rig as a one size fits all tablet stand, its lack of a charging dock might see your slate running dry before you finish gorging on that first season of Lost you've been avoiding all these years.
Turtle Shell speakers bring Bluetooth-enabled weather-resistant music to bikes, strollers and more
The speakers in the image above are Outdoor Technology's Turtle Shell. Expected to retail for $150, the product is currently in Kickstarter at an early-backer price of $99. To date, it's over a third of the way towards funding, with just under two weeks left to go. The idea is this: the speakers mount using standard camera threading. They fit on any tripod or on the mounting accessory, which you see just under the speaker itself. Pricing on the mount is still unclear. It does not appear to be bundled with the $99 pledge, but it is with higher pledges. The product is Bluetooth-enabled and weather-resistant, making it an appropriate accompaniment for bikes, camping, strollers, etc. Just recognize it is a boom box and you'll be entertaining the neighborhood as well as yourself, depending on how much you boost the volume. TUAW received an early review unit, allowing me to test it out in real-world conditions. I had a bit of trouble mounting it in the recommended position until I wrapped my handlebar with some padding. I have an especially small handlebar tube, so this is something I've had to do for my other accessories as well. As you can see, I've normally got quite a bit of stuff on my handlebars -- lights, computer, front pack -- and the Turtle Shell dwarfs them all. (The red bit you see is a velcro extender, allowing my pack to stay attached during testing. The Turtle Shell goes where the bar bag normally attaches.) The first thing I noticed is how heavy an accessory it is, officially weighing in at 11.5 oz. The mount adds another 3.5 oz, for a total of just under a pound, which is a lot to stick on your handlebar. Outdoor Technology recommends placing the speaker on the side with your dominant hand, somewhere near the stem to reduce any weight issues and make riding easier. The unit measures slightly under four inches by six inches along the plane. Once the speaker charged (see the USB cable coming out of its bottom), I took it out for a spin. It synced easily to my iPhone 4S after I switched it on and pressed-and-held a button. And to be clear, I never noticed the weight while biking, and my bike's handling remained completely unaffected. Once mounted, it totally was a non-issue. I put it through the audio-books-along-a-busy-road test I normally use to test output quality. I found that at maximum volume, that music remained audible (perhaps not their lyrics, but at least the lower frequency beats) but that audio books suffered significantly in terms of intelligibility. This is much the same as I've found with any bike-mounted speaker system. The speakers worked far better indoors and at the park -- although they did earn me a hairy eyeball or two at the latter location. The system is non-directional, so audio goes out in all directions. This is, perhaps, not the unit to buy for trail riding if you're shy. Upon returning home, I disconnected the unit to charge it, a task which probably isn't as easy as it could be. It would probably have been easier to wheel my bike to an outlet, and plug in the charger between trips. The provided cord isn't huge but it is plenty long enough for leaning a bike against a wall for charging. All in all, it's a pretty decent system and I liked it. I couldn't help but compare it to the much lighter and friendlier FreeWheelin unit I tested last week, which retails at the same $150 the Turtle Shell will sell for. The Turtle Shell felt much hardier and robust, however. You won't want to have your FreeWheelin on your helmet during rain. (I wouldn't want to be out biking at all during downpours.) If you have multiple people in your audience, i.e. at a camp site or when you're using a stroller, the Turtle Shell will also better meet your needs. For biking, I lean towards the FreeWheelin solution. For me, the Turtle Shell worked best as a portable speaker. I tested it in the kitchen and it provided completely acceptable sound within Bluetooth distances. For outdoors use, I could easily see this at a campground. It feels really durable and probably would stand up to a lot of knocking around -- plus there's that advertised moisture guard. Mostly though, I think this would be a great product for parents with strollers, offering a hard-to-knock-away speaker system for a small family group. In summary, it's a durable, mountable, hardy Bluetooth speaker system with reasonable quality audio. There's a lot going for it and I think many of our readers could find it a useful solution for their outdoor music needs. Turtle Shell is in its last weeks of Kickstarter and is a product of Outdoor Technology.
Proficient Audio launches MaxTV MT2 speaker box, soundbars start job hunt
If Proficient Audio's new MaxTV MT2 speaker box is anything to go by, the company obviously isn't enamored with the latest slew of slim, elegant soundbars. As the picture shows, it's designed to act as a platform for your TV and can support up to 160 pounds -- enough for even the biggest of flatscreens. The hard, no-grille design shows off the box's two 1-inch tweeters, four 2.5-inch mid-range speakers and two 5.25-inch, down-facing subs. Four internal 20-watt, two-channel digital amps take care of the power, and with two of those dedicated to the woofers, we'd expect some serious neighbor-waking bass. It's not just for your TV either, as the built-in Bluetooth supports audio streaming from any of your favorite gadgets. The soundbar-on-steroids is shipping now for 599 bones, and if that sounds a little steep, Proficient Audio assures you that "once someone hears the difference MaxTV makes, they will buy it." Update: We've been informed the unit has a detachable grille (pictured below the fold) which is held in place by samarium-cobalt magnets to ensure no unwanted vibration.
JBL freshens its portable speakers with Micro II, Bluetooth-toting Flip and Micro Wireless
JBL has been on a wireless speaker kick lately -- it might as well throw some truly portable models into the equation. Accordingly, two of the three speakers it's shipping today, the Flip and Micro Wireless, sport Bluetooth audio and a 5-hour battery to cut the cord. The Flip (seen above) is the multi-talented athlete of the bunch: its design can work either upright or on its side to stuff into small spaces, and a built-in mic provides speakerphone duties. The Micro Wireless' puck shape isn't as clever, but it fits a standard 3.5mm input jack and space to clip to a carabiner or lanyard. Both these and the Micro Wireless' strictly wired counterpart, the Micro II, have a bass port to improve the low-end frequencies that are so often missing in this class of speaker. Prices may be the real incentives here: the Flip is the most expensive of the trio at $99, while the Micro Wireless and Micro II are even lighter on the wallet at respective $59 and $39 price points.
JBL's newest Jembe desktop speakers are Bluetooth-enabled, now on sale for $99
The Jembe wired speakers have been out on the market since late last year, but now JBL's finally introducing a wireless variant of these sleek desktop noisemakers. Aside from being Bluetooth-friendly at last, the pair's retaining its "stylish weave design" and adding a Harman TrueStream sound technology that wasn't found on the lesser-priced, cabled Jembe set -- this, naturally, while still utilizing a 3.5mm headphone jack as the main input source. JBL's pricing the new Jembe speakers at $99 in the US and £70 (about $110) for UK folks, with the company set to be taking orders as we speak. For that, however, you'll have to virtually land on either of the links below -- otherwise you can always go with those eccentric (and rather intimidating) Edifier Spinnakers.
JBL's extra-tiny Soundfly BT wall outlet speaker gets spoiled by the FCC
JBL is known for its portable speakers, but an FCC filing has revealed that it's willing to make speakers that are almost inconspicuous. The Soundfly BT would represent your everyday Bluetooth speaker save for the very uncommon ability to optionally plug directly into a wall outlet, skipping the power cord. Shades of the previous-generation AirPort Express, anyone? There's not much mystery in other areas, but the 20W stereo output is unusually powerful for something small enough to hang off of a hotel room's power port. Between the manual and live photos, about the only riddles left are the Soundfly BT's official release date and price.
iLuv outs Mo'Beats Bluetooth speakers, looks to live up to its name
All name jokes aside, iLuv is at it again. The company keeps the speaker / dock ball rolling with Mo'Beats, a Bluetooth audio stand for your compatible, on-the-go tech. Sporting a cradle design, the iSP245 allows your slate or smartphone to rest while connected to its speakers, located on each end of the kit. If you're lacking the wireless capability or if you're looking to keep things wired, the Mo'Beats also features a 3.5mm jack. While you'll have to wait until May to throw down your $89.99 on one, you can scope out the full PR just beyond the break.
JBL OnBeat Xtreme review
We've been following the onslaught of AirPlay / Bluetooth speaker systems in recent months, carefully combing through the prospects to find the true contenders. We were recently impressed by Klipsch's Gallery G-17 Air and now we've given the JBL OnBeat Xtreme a testdrive. This beast is step up from the regular ol' OnBeat dock, both in stature and cost. Priced a cool $500... it's sandwiched between the pricey B&W Zeppelin Air and the more modest iHome iW1. So is the JBL dock extreme enough to warrant a purchase? We've been blasting beats through this bad boy for a fortnight, so read on to find out if you should snatch one up for yourself. %Gallery-141416%
XtremeMac InCharge Auto & Home BT chargers stream music, phone calls over bluetooth
There are many ways to get your phone's tunes to your system's speakers, and now thanks to XtremeMac, you have two more. At $80, the InCharge Home BT is just $20 cheaper than an Apple TV, and it only lets you stream audio over bluetooth (vs. video, and WiFi for the Apple TV). Its on-the-go counterpart, however -- the InCharge Auto BT (also $80) -- is a much easier sell, beaming music and phone calls to a car stereo without a need to tether your handset to your receiver. Despite the company name and ubiquitous "Made for iPhone" branding, XtremeMac has confirmed that both devices offer identical functionality with non-Apple handsets as well, along with iPods, iPads, and other bluetooth-enabled gadgets. Available now, both devices support A2DP, connect to your speakers using a bundled 3.5mm cable, and include a 10-watt USB port for charging your devices -- assuming you don't mind cording up, on occasion.
Creative's new Bluetooth speakers sound vaguely familiar
Creative's family of Bluetooth speakers got a few more additions today. The company unveiled the wireless one-piece D80, which for most intents and purposes, is identical to its colorful sibling the D100, save for a lower price tag at $50 and a loss of battery power. The $300 ZiiSound D5x, meanwhile, looks an awful lot like 2010's D5, though this one plays nice with the newly announced D3x modular speaker and DSx modular subwoofer, both of which are priced at $150 a pop. The D80 is hitting this month and the ZiiSound's various components will be arriving this summer, so don't throw out last year's models just yet. Press info after the break.
