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JBL intros first Lightning-equipped speaker docks, we go ears-on
That larger JBL speaker dock looks familiar, doesn't it? Near the end of September, Harman gave us a peak at its latest consumer audio products. Curiously, however, a slew of new iOS-focused speaker docks were shown off, each lacking a Lightning connector. Today that's changed, as JBL has announced a duo of systems that are equipped with Lightning docks. To start, the larger unit is dubbed as the OnBeat Venue LT ($200). This speaker is essentially a Lightning-enhanced version of the 30-pin loaded Venue we recently spent time with, featuring the same 30 watts of power and Bluetooth connectivity with Apt-X support. Like it's sibling, the dock can be set flush with the front, and better yet, you'll even be able to dock your iPad mini into it. Sizing things down a bit is the OnBeat Micro, a $100 bedside system that'll play nice with the iPhone 5 and the new iPod nano. While it doesn't benefit from Harman's Bluetooth know-how (a pricing consideration, as we're told), it can be loaded with four AAA batteries for quick bouts away from wall power. Based on a quick listening session, we can report that the Venue LT sounded very full and clear. Even with the optional bass- or vocal-boosts enabled, it didn't seem like the speakers were having trouble pushing out high levels of volume. The Micro on the other hand sounded decidedly tinny, which we're frankly not surprised about given the size. Both systems are compatible with JBL's MusicFlow app as well, giving you some extended options for tweaking EQ. The rigs felt fairly sturdy, but we were immediately able to notice some niggles with the Lighting connector. Our iPhone 5 and Harman's iPad mini and iPod nano clicked into place easily with the connector, but the hinge it's built on is very loose without any tension. A slight knock could potentially send an iOS device leaning forward, which would have us concerned in a party situation (the problem is more apparent on the Venue). Secondly, the docks won't play nice with common cases like Speck's CandyShell, so you'll need to have your devices naked before docking. JBL noted the quirks, stating that they have little control over the behavior of connector itself, as it's supplied by Apple. %Gallery-170981% JBL expects that the OnBeat Venue LT and Micro will be the only Lightning-packing speaker docks for at least the holidays, so check out the press release after the break for more details if you're interested. As for us? We'd say the Venue LT is definitely worth a look, but we'd just as easily pass on the Micro given the myriad options out there for smaller Bluetooth-equipped speakers.
JBL's got a bunch of new peripherals this holiday for your audio-obsessed friends, now available
After going ears-on with some of JBL's new holiday wares recently, today the company announced availability for four such products ahead of the impending/already-in-progress holiday shopping season. The Soundfly portable speaker ($179 to $199), the OnBeat aWake iPad dock ($139), the OnBeat Venue Bluetooth loudspeaker ($199), and the J Series headphones (which come in a variety of styles and prices, from $39 to $149) are all now available. Sadly, despite the introduction of Apple's new connection port earlier this year, all of JBL's offerings this year are only compatible with the original, 30-pin connector -- something to consider when purchasing gifts for your early-adopter audiophile friends. Said wares can be had through JBL's website, as well as via your local brick-and-mortar.
JBL SoundFly Air ships, delivers AirPlay to your wall socket for $199
JBL's SoundFly lineup is one of the rarer breeds of wireless speaker we've come across: it's much like an earlier AirPort Express made solely for audio, designed to be as unintrusive as possible while it kicks out the jams. Those who find that stealthy sound appealing will be glad to hear that the more advanced of the two SoundFly speakers, the SoundFly Air, is now shipping. The 20W box will play audio streamed from any AirPlay-capable device on the same WiFi network while it sits demurely on a wall outlet. JBL is counting on a few tricks to set itself apart from the rest of the similarly Apple-oriented pack, such as linking up to four of the speakers for whole-home audio and offering an iOS app to tailor the output to the room. About the only reservation is a $199 shipping price for something that isn't as portable or universal as a Jawbone Jambox, but that may be the price to pay for a speaker that can offer longer range and syncing while it very nearly blends into the furniture.
JBL AirPlay-ready speaker plugs into your wall
When it comes to wireless speakers, JBL's new SoundFly is about as wireless as you can get. Not only is the device capable of playing tunes over Bluetooth or AirPlay -- depending on which version you pick -- but there's also no need for a power cord, as the SoundFly plugs directly into a standard wall outlet. JBL has the new speakers up for pre-order in its online store, with prices starting at $179.00 for the Bluetooth version and $199.00 for the AirPlay-enabled device. Aside from the price, the only aesthetic difference between the two types is that the AirPlay SoundFly (seen above) features a slightly darker covering. [Via: TechCrunch]
Harman shows off its upcoming JBL docks and speakers, we go eyes-on
Harman announced a fair amount of JBL-branded speakers back at IFA, but that wasn't all it had to announce before the year goes out. Today we met with in the company in NYC, where it was ready to show off even more of its upcoming wireless and dock speakers. In fact, don't tell Harman that the 30-pin connector is on its way out, as its $199 OnBeat Venue (seen above and $139 OnBeat aWake are ready to pair up with your last-gen iOS devices. The Venue is rated for a peak output of 30-watts and features a stow-away dock a tweeter and woofer combo for both stereo channels, component outputs for use with TVs, an obligatory 3.5mm jack and Bluetooth if you'd prefer to go wireless. The aWake shrinks things down to about 13 watts, and features a digital clock so that you can use it on your bedside night stand -- despite its small size, it'll easily dock an iPad. Both systems also work with free JBL apps for iOS that'll enhance the experience. According to the company, it's also working on solutions for the Lightning connector, but wouldn't reveal any hard details. Moving along to dedicated speakers, you might recall the SoundFly BT, which recently got outed during its trip to the FCC. The 20-watt Bluetooth-equipped unit is strictly intended to plug directly into wall outlets, having only a status light with no inputs or buttons. It'll set you back $149 when it hits shelves, and if you tack another another $50 you can get an AirPlay-equipped version instead. We gave the BT a quick listen and it sounded surprisingly big with a fair amount of bass extension -- impressive considering it's petite and it plug-friendly design. A Harmon rep even noted that the hotel we were in was interested in procuring some for its rooms. Sadly, the units aren't remotely water-resistant, even though our demo area was a bathroom. Lastly, we're actually most intrigued by the $59 Harman / Kardon BTA 10 dongle. The nearly matchbook-sized box connects to any speaker via its 3.5mm jack, allowing you to stream over Bluetooth 4.0 on the fly. Power is supplied via a micro-USB cable, and a blue indicator light lets you know that it's powered up. Harmon's mainly created it to add Bluetooth functionality to its non-wireless speakers, but it can be used with any speaker of your choice. We're also told that it overs very high-quality, despite being Bluetooth, thanks to some in-house development dubbed as TrueStream. There's no exact word on when all of these units will hit shelves, but you can peek the galleries for better looks -- check the source link for full details.
Engadget visits Nokia House, walks down memory lane (video)
It's not the first time Engadget editors have stepped foot at Nokia House -- the company's HQ in Espoo, Finland -- but it's always a treat, and our visit this week is no exception. Today we took a walk down memory lane, and spent some time with several Nokia handsets -- from one of the very first mobile phones to the Lumia 920. We played with some of the more iconic models and designs, such as the 1011 (first GSM handset), 1610, 7700 / 7710 (S90), 7280 (lipstick phone), 770 / N800 tablets, N-Gage / QD, 3300, 8800, 8110 (from the Matrix movie), N93 / N93i, N91, N92, N76, N95 and finally the 7650 (the first handset running Symbian). In addition, we also got to handle some of the Lumia 820 and 920 accessories, including the Fatboy wireless charging pillow and JBL-branded Power Up speakers. Check out the gallery below then hit the break for our hands-on video. Oh, and don't forget to tune in tomorrow for our live Q&A with Nokia's CEO Stephen Elop.%Gallery-166392% Update: That music-centric handset which uses an IBM Microdrive is the N91 (not N90) and was announced in 2005 (not 1995), and that flip-phone is the N76 (not the N75) -- sorry for the slip in the video. Zach Honig contributed to this report.
JBL announces Cinema SB 100, 200 and 400 soundbars
JBL has been sprinkling a fair amount of its sonic-spice atop desks of late, now it wants to sneak some of the same under your TV. Enter three new all-in-one soundbars just announced by the firm, which it claims bring surround sound performance. As well as that virtual surround experience, the JBL Cinema SB 100, 200 and 400 also sport an equalization switch that optimizes sound depending on where you put it (i.e., mounted on a wall, or on a furniture unit). The SB 400 has a separate wireless subwoofer, while the 200 has one built-in, leaving the 100 with the connections to bring in your own. Likewise, the 400 and 200 models also come with Bluetooth, for added audio content streaming options. If you've got a soundbar-shaped hole in your media set-up, then prices start are $199, $299 and $549 according to your feature requirements. To hear the specs in more detail, sound out the PR after the break.
JBL intros Power Up speaker to charge your Nokia Lumia 920, pair over NFC
JBL just kicked out a pair of new accessories to go with that new Nokia Lumia 920. The Power Up speaker does more than just start Bluetooth music sharing over NFC -- it has a Qi wireless charging point so that you can just leave your shiny new Windows Phone on top for an extra jolt of energy without looking for that FatBoy pillow. We'll provide more details as they emerge following Nokia's special event.%Gallery-164395% Dana Wollman contributed to this report.
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.
Nokia and JBL's PlayUp NFC-equipped Bluetooth speaker wants to pair up with your Lumia
Nokia may have partnered with Monster for its last batch of Lumia-focused audio wares, but now JBL is also in on the deal. Say hello to first product from Nokia and JBL, the successor to the Play 360 portable speaker, dubbed PlayUp. The noiseybox is packed with Bluetooth and NFC, and as for the design, it's made to complement "current and future Lumia smartphones." Like the Play 360, the PlayUp is a cylindrical, top-shooting speaker with physical volume controls, a large power button near the bottom and a 3.5mm jack for plugging in PMPs. The PlayUp weighs 760g and it measures in at 118 x 118 x 128mm -- a fair bit chunkier that the 360 (110 x 110 x 124mm and 514g). Despite the heft, the PlayUp's battery is rated for 10 hours of use, which is disappointingly just under half of the 360's replaceable cell. Charging gets handled via micro-USB and -- thankfully -- a wall adapter is included. Naturally, the notable change is JBL's baked-in audio expertise. The unit can pump out a healthy 89dB of volume (aided by a bass port), which isn't shabby, but still shy of the ear-ringing 120dB the $99 UE Mobile BoomBox can produce. There's no word on whether tow units can pair wireless stereo like its elder, or what version of Bluetooth is packed inside, but we'll be sure to let you know once we find out. Nokia also plans to release an app for the device to allow for remote control. Given that Nokia has knack for consistency across its products, it's likely that the white, black, cyan and bright yellow color choices will match up with the WP 8-loaded Lumias at their September 5th unveiling. The PlayUp will be available for €149 (about $186) before the year is out, which includes a travel pouch and a 3.5mm audio cable. In the meantime, hit the source link for more details.
Engadget's back to school guide 2012: docks and clocks
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we have speaker docks in our sights -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here. If there's any post-adolescent period that deserves its own soundtrack, it's your college years. Sure, our portable audio picks will let you jam on the go, but the best collegiate experiences are shared with friends -- and listening to music should be no exception. Even if you'd prefer to keep your playlist out of your friends' feed, be it in person or online, you'll still need to wake up each morning, and what better way to ease into the waking world than with your favorite tracks? These speaker docks offer more functionality than your average smartphone clock, and they're certainly better equipped to play DJ when it comes time to close the books. Join us past the break for our 2012 picks.
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.
Engadget's summer gear guide 2012: docks
In the interest of keeping cool this summer, we've put together a list of the hottest products out right now. From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash. So grab a popsicle or a cold one and dive in -- the water's just right. So, you've got a new fancy-pants smartphone and filled it up with pictures, movies and music. That's great for when you're on the train and all, but sometimes you'll want to share your music with the world (whether they like it or not) and this is where docks come in. If you've done even the quickest of web searches for one, you'll have no-doubt been dazzled by the sheer amount of choices. They literally come in all shapes and sizes, and with prices to match. Good thing we made this summer buyer's guide to help you make your mind up then. Follow us past the break as we sort out our selections.
Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 review
More Info Lenovo's 14-inch IdeaPad Y470p launches with Radeon HD 7690M GPU Lenovo unveils six mainstream consumer laptops (and one desktop replacement) Dell XPS 14z review When it comes to business-friendly features and comfortable keyboards, Lenovo is king. And while the PC maker is no stranger to powerful systems (here's looking at you, ThinkPad X220), it's not necessarily the first brand that comes to mind when you're in the market for HD video streaming and a little gaming. But those are just the sorts of things Lenovo hopes you'll do with the IdeaPad Y480, which ups the multimedia ante with a new GPU from NVIDIA, along with a quad-core Ivy Bridge processor. The notebook complements that power under the hood with an elegant, understated design and flourishes such as JBL speakers -- all for a reasonable starting price of $849. At 5.1 pounds, it may not be the lightest 14-incher around, but it packs some of the most robust internals in its class. Less forgivable, though, is the notebook's middling 1,366 x 768 display; when you have that graphics oomph, you want the high-res visuals to match. Can its amped-up insides and bang for the buck make up for that less-than-premium screen? Join us after the break as we make that determination.%Gallery-155853%
Samsung outs new Series 5 550P notebook in the UK, Ivy Bridge and numeric keypad onboard
We saw a lot of things back at CES, and from the PC makers, it was mainly new Ultrabooks. Samsung, however, did present a pair of "regular" notebooks, and it looks like they're just about to stretch their legs in the UK. The Series 5 550P is available in 15- and 17-inch varieties, sporting 1366 x 768 and 1600 x 900 displays respectively. Calling the shots will be quad-core Ivy Bridge Core i7 chips supported by 8GB of RAM. Graphics are dished up by a 2GB GeForce GT 650M, and there's a Blu-ray optical drive plus capacity for up to 2TB of storage. Like the Series 7, sound is handled by integrated JBL speakers complete with "Max Bass Boost" subwoofer -- crikey! Lower specification models will also be available (swapping the Blu-ray for DVD, and using shared graphics) when they hit UK stores this month.
Samsung's 17-inch Series 7 Chronos dances over the Ivy Bridge
Since Ivy Bridge finally trotted down the yellow brick road, there's been a growing number of tin-men waiting for their hearts. Samsung's 17-inch Series 7 Chronos, it seems, was also a member of that club. We first saw the desktop replacement back at CES, and that "next-gen" processor we reported is confirmed as a 2.3GHz i7 3615QM, while the suspected ATI GPU seems to have been switched out for an NVIDIA GeForce 650M. Memory and storage are taken care of by 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB SATA HDD respectively. For your human inputs, that 17.3-inch (1920 x 1080) non-reflective screen will fill your eyes, while JBL speakers take care of your ears. As for the computer's, there's HDMI, two USB 3.0 ports, a pair of standard USB ports and a memory card slot, not forgetting the Blu-ray drive too -- if you like things optical. If this is enough to make you put your desktop to sleep, then get ready to lay down the (to be determined) asking price once it's set free from the Witch's castle factory (at some point in the near future).
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%
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: docks
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. 'Tis the season to go shopping and slightly broke! Unless you're living off the grid, you can't escape the marketing merriment amping up the arrival of that most wonderful time of the year. You know, the one where loved ones run themselves ragged skipping from store to store in an attempt to find the perfect gift that just screams, "I care," and costs a pretty penny, too. Well, we know things can get hectic and the options overwhelming, but for the music aficionado in your family, you can't really go wrong with a speaker dock. Let's face it, even Great Aunt Eddie's rockin' a portable media player these days. So, why not help her get up off the couch, out of her mind and into a living room hoedown with a wall of MP3 sound? Lucky for you, we've whittled down the dizzying array of digital audio offerings into a handy guide fit for the frugal and lavish alike. Need a little inspiration? Then head on past the break to peruse the goods and get psyched for that onslaught of holiday cheer.
JBL On Tour iBT Bluetooth speaker now available for $150, iPad stand included
Have a soft spot for wireless speakers? There were tons of options out there already, but JBL just threw one more into the ring with its On Tour iBT. As we'd expect form the audio gurus, the system boasts wireless audio internals that play nice with both A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth devices. In addition to four JBL Odyssey transducers, the kit packs a built-in microphone for Facetime or hands-free calls, an adjustable iPad stand and a USB connector for charging -- when the Katy Perry tune blastin' device is plugged in itself, of course. Interested? It can be yours now via the source link for $150, but if you'd care to take a closer look before committing, peep the gallery below. %Gallery-135353%
