With JBL Playlist, users simply need to tap the cast button from within a favorite music service on their smart device, which can simply be used as a remote. To further amplify the listening experience, JBL Playlist connects to other JBL Google Cast speakers. With Multi-Room capability enabled, users can easily fill every room in their home, wherever they have a JBL Playlist speaker connected, to play the same music throughout their home. JBL Playlist speakers work with Spotify Connect, allowing to use the Spotify app as a remote.
JBL Playlist is designed with a wide-open surface for improved sound quality and it features a passive radiator for better bass performance. Its matte finish and grille fabric cover offers a sleek look and the JBL Playlist is available in black, blue, and white. It supports dual band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi connections and 802.11ac network support, and it also works as a standard Bluetooth speaker for music playback or allows connecting a wired source via 3.5mm input.
Frontier Silicon, a leading supplier of hardware modules and software for smart audio products, whose customers include Harman, Bose, Denon, Grundig, Onkyo, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Pure, Sony, Yamaha, and many more, confirmed the JBL Playlist speaker uses Frontier’s Minuet speaker toolkit, a design platform enabling audio manufacturers to develop wireless speakers incorporating Google Cast, quickly and cost-effectively. Frontier is one of a very small number of solution providers working with Google on this technology.
The Minuet module toolkit includes the entire design set needed to build an audio product (datasheets, schematics, gerbers, mechanical drawings, bill of materials, application guidelines, simulation tools, iOS / Android reference apps and libraries) and it comes pre-certified for CE, FCC, Wi-Fi Alliance and Bluetooth.
The Minuet connected module incorporates all the elements required for smart audio devices, including 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, diversity antennas, a dual-core ARM A7 processor, multiple audio inputs and outputs.
As Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon, explains, “Just over a year ago we announced we were working with Google on its Cast technology. Google Cast promises to be a game changer for the smart audio sector and we are delighted that our first product announcement is with Harman, the world’s largest speaker company. The JBL Playlist will be the first of several design wins to be announced in the coming months.”
According to Robb Mason, Senior director, Connected Home Harman, Frontier was chosen for this project “because of their high level of customer support and ability to deliver robust technology solutions. The Frontier relationship has enabled us to produce a high quality, attractively priced speaker in time for this year’s holiday season.”
The JBL Playlist was announced for just 179 Euros and will be available starting October 2016.
www.harman.com | www.jbl.com | www.frontier-silicon.com
