JBL Authentics Wi-Fi Speaker Range - Retro Design Meets Voice Smarts

Using the opportunity of IFA week, JBL introduced the new JBL Authentics speaker series, expanding on the retro design of the classic JBL L100 speaker and foam grills. Following previous "retro" models introduced by Harman's luxury division, the JBL Authentics bring the concept to the affordable level of home audio with three compact active speakers, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, and simultaneous support for Alexa and Google voice assistants.

Expanding on its range of solutions for audio manufacturers, at IFA 2023 in Berlin, StreamUnlimited introduced a new turn-key platform with five software package options, streamlining product development. Based on a single hardware platform, Stream2Go features different software build options that are carefully configured to offer a suitable product line for different segments and categories. From smart audio to connected appliances, developers can choose from these ready to use packages and still offer cutting edge technologies including support for Bluetooth LE Audio, and any of the available streaming service options.

Fraunhofer IIS, the primary inventor of the MPEG-H 3D Audio standard, and StreamUnlimited, a supplier of software solutions and hardware modules for connected audio products, have announced that MPEG-H 3D Audio Baseline Profile decoders have been integrated into the StreamSDK from StreamUnlimited. The Austrian company is already offering decoder implementations supporting the MPEG-H 3D Audio Baseline Profile and has joined the MPEG-H Audio System trademark program administered by Fraunhofer.

"If you can't beat them, join them," someone at Bang & Olufsen must have thought. And so the new Bang & Olufsen Beosound Balance with Google Assistant voice control was born, raising the bar for all smart speakers in terms of sound, size and price, and leveraging all the technology and design experience of the famous Danish brand. As Bang & Olufsen describes, the Beosound Balance is a wireless speaker with an advanced audio platform designed to grow in the future.

Libre Wireless Technologies announced that its MAVID low power mic-to-cloud platform is powering the new Hansong miniature portable speaker Microdot XS, a full featured Wi-Fi/Bluetooth audio speaker with far field voice interface featuring Amazon Alexa Built-In. Libre Wireless also announced a broad relationship with German brand Canton across an extensive range of Smart Wireless music streaming multiroom speakers, amps and soundbars, all using Libre’s advanced LibreSync WiFi connectivity modules.

Google announced it is scaling back Android Things as a general-purpose IoT platform. Android Things will now focus solely on OEM-built smart speakers and displays. Google is discontinuing public access to i.MX8M, Snapdragon, and MediaTek based production modules for the OS. The ARM-based production boards from Innocomm, Intrinsyc, and MediaTek that Google was reselling to vendors with pre-loaded Android Things will no longer be publicly supported.

StreamUnlimited's Stream1832 hardware module is one of the latest hardware modules in the market to meet the recently updated Google Assistant specification requirements. Providing a powerful quad core platform and 1.5GHz CPU designed for Google Assistant, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2 built-in enabled products, Stream1832 in combination with StreamSDK software provides a development solution optimized for cost and low power consumption, enablind brands to innovate without being constrained by hardware limitations.

At CES 2018, Harman International announced the launch of JBL LINK View, a voice-controlled, smart display speaker with Google Assistant built in. The LINK View, featuring a high-resolution touch screen and camera, will join the recently launched JBL LINK series of voice-activated speakers. Harman also announced the new JBL Everest Headphone series optimized for Google Assistant, and a new Harman Kardon Allure Portable speaker with Amazon Alexa Voice Service.