Smart speakers aren’t as exciting as they once were, but every once in a while there’s a notable release. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been using the JBL Authentics 500, a high-end smart speaker that, to me, is just the Google Home Max replacement I’ve been waiting for.
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Smart speakers were a craze for a while, but the hype has very much died down in recent years. With the JBL Authentics 300, though, it’s clear that there’s finally a Google Assistant speaker worth your time, and it has great sound, design, and cross-compatibility with Amazon Alexa.
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At the start of this year, Google made a handful of changes to Speaker Groups following the US ITC ruling in favor of Sonos. Google Assistant speakers made by JBL are finally getting updated with new Cast firmware that fixes the experience of using Speaker Groups.
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The latest set of true wireless earbuds from JBL, the Tour Pro 2, includes a touchscreen in the “smart” charging case, complete with notifications, media controls, and more.
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One of the downsides of Google’s second-gen Pixel Buds, as well as their mid-range successor the Pixel Buds A, is that there’s no noise cancellation. With powerful competition like the AirPods Pro and the Galaxy Buds Pro both packing noise cancellation, it was a shame to see the Pixel Buds skip it.
In its place though, the most unique aspect of the Pixel Buds series is their ability to respond to the “Hey Google” hotword, which up to this point had not been replicated on any third-party earbuds. That is, until now. JBL’s latest true wireless earbuds, the JBL Tour Pro+, are the first third-party earbuds to have full Google Assistant integration, including audible notifications and “Hey Google” support.
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The first and currently only soundbar powered by Google’s Android TV is the JBL Link Bar, and this week, it’s getting a notable update that brings official Prime Video support.
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Android TV is growing quickly, but it’s rare to see on a consumer device that’s not a full-size TV. After a long delay, the JBL Link Bar hit the market as the first Android TV soundbar and I’ve spent the past couple of weeks using it in place of my Nvidia Shield. For $399, is it for you? Let’s take a look.
The long story is finally over. After several delays over the course of a full year, the Android TV-powered JBL Link Bar is finally available for purchase at $399.
One powerful feature of Google Home is the ability to make phone calls with just a quick voice command. It’s something I’ve thoroughly enjoyed on my Google Home Max, but it has always been a shame to miss out on it with third-party options. Now, Google Assistant phone calls are spreading to more speakers, including options from Insignia and Harman.
One of the coolest things about Google I/O last year, for me at least, was the reveal of the JBL Link Bar. The clever soundbar/Android TV box combo looks like a fantastic product, but it’s been pushed back time and time again. JBL was supposed to release the Link Bar sometime this Spring, but now it’s been delayed again, this time to the Summer.
JBL this morning announced a slew of Assistant products like new Bluetooth headphones and the Android TV-powered Link Bar. The brand’s latest device is the JBL Link Drive that essentially brings a Google Assistant microphone into any car via the cigarette lighter.
The Google Assistant has long been a great choice for controlling media via voice, and lately more brands have been including direct access to it from Bluetooth headsets. JBL started including the Google Assistant in their headphones last year with their Everest series devices, and now they’re expanding the Assistant integration with three new headsets in their LIVE series.
JBL is a big brand for audio, and for the most part, the company makes some killer products. In recent months, the brand has also been working with Google quite a lot to integrate Assistant into some of its products. Lately, I’ve been trying out a couple of headphones with Google Assistant built-in, so let’s take a closer look.
Smart speakers have been an unqualified success for Google over the past year or so, and smart displays are the next big thing. Following Lenovo’s Smart Display going on sale last month, the JBL Link View is next in line, and now a full review has hit the web…
Android TV was given new life this year courtesy of a renewed focus from Google as well as plenty of new hardware. Now, JBL’s unique soundbar equipped with Android TV is available for pre-order.
There are thousands of wireless speakers on the market, but many require special pairing or streaming options, as well as a complicated set up. Thanks to Google’s Cast platform, though, wireless speakers are made easy, and JBL’s Playlist speaker is one of the best for an affordable cost.
Google Assistant is an extremely powerful tool, but for many users, it’s mainly used for music. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, and in fact, it has become a major selling point for “smart speakers” with the Assistant built-in. Google recently put its “Home Max” up for sale with exactly that in mind, but at $399, it’s understandably out of reach for many users. There is a solid alternative, though, in the JBL Link 300…
Although IFA 2017 doesn’t technically start until tomorrow, there have already been a ton of announcements coming out of Germany leading up to the event’s official start. JBL just introduced a new line of wireless speakers with its JBL LINK series, and all three of the new entries come with the Google Assistant built into them.
Following the long awaited release of JBL’s USB-C powered Reflect Aware C headphones, HTC now has a promotion available to get a set for free. While these headphones are usually priced at $199, this promo offers them for free with the purchase of an HTC 10 (via AndroidGuys).
After placing a heavy focus on audio in the HTC 10, the company revealed that it was working with JBL to create one of the first pairs of earbuds powered by USB C. The JBL Reflect Aware C offer both digital audio and active noise cancellation along with a sweat-proof design. After being announced earlier this year, these headphones are now available for sale.
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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnkVkwH2qbE?rel=0]
Today, Chinese phone maker OnePlus revealed a new set of earphones for its hard to purchase smartphone, but unlike its homegrown offering, this ear gear is a byproduct of a partnership with JBL. Listed as “coming soon” at the company’s online store the aptly named the JBL E1+ Earphones are premium branded buds that will eventually set someone back $40 whenever they go on sale.
