speaker
Latest
Amazon's new Echo Dot has a built-in clock
How is Amazon going to improve on last year's Echo Dot? By turning it into an alarm clock, it seems. The company has introduced a fourth-generation Dot with a clock built into the side. You won't have to ask Alexa what time it is when you wake up prematurely. It can also display extras like the temperature or alarm times to answer some of your other obvious questions. And if you do use it as an alarm clock, you can tap it to snooze the alarm for some extra shut-eye.
Amazon enlists 30 companies to improve how voice assistants work together
Just because you have an Amazon device doesn't mean you should be limited to interacting with Alexa -- or so Amazon believes. Today, the company announced a new Voice Interoperability Initiative. The goal is to work with other companies so that users can access multiple voice services -- from Alexa to Cortana and Salesforce's Einstein -- on a single device.
Sonos Move review: Versatility doesn't come cheap
It's late September, but still technically summer, so I'm writing this on my back deck, listening to the first Sonos speaker built to be used outside. The Move represents a number of firsts for Sonos: It's built to be used outdoors, it has a battery and it supports Bluetooth. These design choices add up to a speaker that's far more versatile than any Sonos has made thus far. Instead of it living in one spot, I've been testing the Move all over my home, inside and out. Because of this versatility, everyone who buys a Move will use it differently, which makes it tricky to evaluate. But regardless of whether you plan to use it inside, on-the-go, in the backyard, or some combination of all three, the Move needs to deliver on sound quality, durability, battery life and wireless connectivity. Especially since it costs $399 -- or about double the price of the UE Megaboom 3, which is itself a pretty expensive Bluetooth speaker. To justify that cost the Move not only needs to do a lot more, but it needs to do all those things well.
Amazon's next big hardware event takes place September 25th
Amazon's hardware deluge last fall wasn't a one-off occurrence. The company has sent out invitations for a device- and service-related event on September 25th. It unsurprisingly hasn't dropped any clues as to what you can expect, but Fire TV gear isn't likely when Amazon trotted out a new Fire TV Cube at IFA just days ago. It's safe to expect at least some Alexa-powered gear, though. And when Amazon had a dozen Alexa gadgets last year, we wouldn't expect it to hold back -- there's a good chance it'll both refresh older hardware (the standard Echo, perhaps?) and expand into unfamiliar territory. Whatever Amazon shows, we'll be there to give you a close look.
Get $100 off the Polk Command Bar right now at Amazon
The Polk Command Bar is one of our top picks for a solid mid-range soundbar. Usually listed for $299, it's currently discounted at $100 off. So for the time being, you can get it for just $199 on Amazon.
HomePod radio streaming arrives on September 30th
Apple didn't really discuss the HomePod at its iPhone 11 event, but there was still some news that (almost) slipped under the radar. The tech firm quietly updated the HomePod's product page to reveal that the vaunted radio streaming feature will reach the smart speaker on September 30th. TuneIn, iHeartRadio and Radio.com will offer 100,000 global radio stations just by asking Siri. Given that this is considered a staple of other smart speakers, it'll be both welcome and overdue. For other features, though, you'll have to sit tight.
The first Braun speakers in 28 years are unexpectedly modern
When the news broke in July that Braun Audio's speaker line was making a comeback, pretty much everyone at Engadget was immediately hooked. Thanks to a deal with Proctor & Gamble, Pure Audio now has the rights to the iconic speaker name. While many of us expected a similar aesthetic to the Dieter Rams-designed devices from 1959, Pure is taking a decidedly modern approach with the revival of the LE line. They still have a minimalist look, but have been entirely redesigned both inside and out. This means that all the modern features are along for the ride. And it means the company is taking direct aim at Sonos.
Google's next Nest Mini speaker could be wall-mountable
Google's Home Mini may receive a sizeable upgrade when its Nest-branded sequel arrives. Sources for 9to5Google claim an upcoming Nest Mini will represent a "substantial" improvement. For one, it wouldn't be confined to desks and tables -- it would reportedly included a built-in wall mount. You could place it on a wall in the middle of the hallway if that's the most convenient place. It would also have upgraded sound, including better bass and a louder maximum volume. And yes, there would be a headphone jack to plug in external speakers.
Sonos' portable smart speaker leaks in greater detail
There might not be much of a surprise left by the time Sonos unveils its first portable speaker. The crew at WinFuture has obtained pictures and details that appear to offer much clearer idea of how the hybrid smart speaker will work -- including what it's called. Known as the Sonos Move, it won't be just a slightly squashed Sonos One with a battery. There looks to be a recessed grip to help you tote the speaker from place to place, and that's where you'll also find the previously rumored toggle between Bluetooth (portable) and WiFi (home) connections.
Sonos' leaked portable speaker automatically tunes its sound
Sonos isn't having much luck preserving the mystery for its fall product launches. Zatz Not Funny and The Verge have obtained details for what's said to be Sonos' first portable speaker, and it'll offer a few twists on the familiar formula. To begin with, it'll support both the usual WiFi networking at home and Bluetooth when you're on the road. A button toggles between one wireless mode and the other. It even has its own charging base for home use, although you can charge with a USB-C cable if you're in a pinch.
Altice's smart speaker uses Alexa to control your TV set-top box
You probably don't associate cable giant Altice USA with the cutting edge of smart home technology, but it's determined to change your mind. The company has unveiled a smart speaker, the Amplify, that can serve as a complement to your existing cable service. The Alexa-based device looks like a typical smart Sonos One-style speaker, but it promises better-than-usual quality thanks to two long-stroke woofers from Devialet (known for its speakers for TV giants), a 19v, 7.5A peak amp and a design meant to cancel vibrations while pumping out serious bass. It also touts party tricks like auto volume adjustment and room-filling spatialization.
IKEA's Sonos-powered speakers are available now
After a months-long wait, IKEA's Sonos-powered SYMFONISK speakers are finally available. They're sitting in the furniture giant's stores as of today (August 1st) and should be available online "soon." As before, what you choose depends both on the audio quality you expect and how you'll use them to furnish your home. The $99 bookshelf speaker is both the most affordable option and can double as a shelf of its own if you buy the $20 wall bracket. The $179 table lamp, meanwhile, is both a handy light source and a more powerful speaker comparable to Sonos' Play:1.
Google's Nest Hub Max will arrive on September 9th
Google finally has a launch date for the Nest Hub Max more specific than "the summer." In the wake of 9to5Google and Droid Life discovering a (since-pulled) store listing, Google has confirmed to CNET that the smart display will be available on September 9th. That's clearly on the tail end of the season, but heartening for anyone who's been waiting since May for a larger, camera-equipped version of the original Hub.
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar review: A full bag of tricks
Sennheiser has spread the gospel of its Ambeo tech for years. The broad pitch is incredibly immersive audio for AR, VR and your living room. As far as consumers are concerned, though, Ambeo is just a headset that records 3D audio and headphones for Magic Leap. At CES 2018, Sennheiser revealed it was cramming the technology inside a soundbar, so we could all use it for a more common activity: watching TV. It took the company another year and a half to release the $2,500 Ambeo Soundbar, and the wait was mostly worth it.
Amazon is reportedly working on a better-sounding Echo
Despite an influx of new models last year, Amazon's Echo probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of high fidelity. The company wants to change that by introducing a higher-quality version of the Echo to better compete with the like of Sonos, according to Bloomberg. Amazon's Lab126 research division has reportedly produced prototypes that are larger than the current Echo in order to pack in at least four tweeters.
Google hints its smart speakers will be renamed 'Nest Home' (updated)
Google made clear that it would apply the Nest name to all its smart home products, but just how would it rename classic products? You now have a better idea. As of this writing, a visit to the Connected Home Accessories section of the Google Store's Special Offers page shows the Google Home's replaceable base as "Nest Home Base." The product page still refers to the speaker by its original name, but you'll find this change in the terms and conditions as well.
Ultimate Ears' Wonderboom 2 gets better sound, longer battery life
Two years ago, Ultimate Ears' launched a beefy Bluetooth speaker that offered 360-degree sound in the body the size of a soda can. Now, the company is updating the Wonderboom with design flourishes cribbed from the Boom 3, bigger sound and a longer battery life. The Wonderboom 2 gets specially-tuned audio profiles to make tunes sound better outdoors, and its power has been bumped from 10 hours to 13.
Urbanears' $199 portable speaker is meant to be shared
Urbanears is back with a connected home speaker, but this time it's both portable and shareable. The Swedish company's new Rålis speaker is small enough to transport and comes with a carrying strap, so you can listen at home or bring it poolside -- where Urbanears promises it's water resistant (IPX2).
YouTube Music is free on Google Home, if you don't mind ads
Starting today, YouTube Music is offering a free, ad-supported experience on Google Home speakers and other Google Assistant-powered speakers. Just navigate to account settings, tap services and select music, then set YouTube Music as the default music service. Then it's just a case of saying "Hey Google, play [whatever]" and you're away. However, the ad-supported YouTube Music experience won't let you request specific songs, albums or playlist. Instead, you can tell it a genre or style or mood of music you're looking for and your Google Home will play a station based on that request.
IKEA's Sonos-powered lamp and bookshelf are speakers in disguise
After enough teasing, IKEA saved the full reveal for Italy's premier design show, Salone del Mobile, unveiling not only the $99 SYMFONISK bookshelf with WiFi speaker but also what the furniture maker calls its "loudest table lamp ever" -- yep, an on-trend lamp ($179) that hides a substantial Sonos speaker inside. IKEA has form in combining or hiding technology into its products, like its wireless charging mats built into tables and, again, lamps. According to the company, these products have been well received, so it's going one step further and getting into smart-speaker territory.
