CES 2016: Creative outs its smartest Bluetooth speaker

Creative has a lot of different kinds of speakers out on the market but they claim this newest one is the smartest yet. The iRoar, which won the CES Innovation Award for 2016, comes with a customizable open platform that lets users personalize the speaker as well as create apps and features to expand on it. It has software add-ons and expandable hardware platform. If developers want to create an app for it, they can do so.

In the hardware side, it comes with the company’s multi-core floating point SB-Axx1 processor, which is what Creative uses for their sound cards. It has dual two-inch drivers for high- and midrange frequencies and a 2.75-inch woofer with dual passive radiators on the side for lows. It has an amp for left and right channels and one for bass. Connectivity options are plenty on the iRoar, including a 3.5mm analog line-in, microUSB audio input, microSD card slot, USB female 1.5A port for charging, and TOSlink Optical input. It also supports NFC and codecs such as aptX, aptX low-latency, AAC, and SBC for wireless streaming. It’s already available on Creative’s site for US$369.99 (around $520). Other add-ons include the iRoar Mic (US$79.99 or roughly $110) and iRoar Rock subwoofer (US$149.99 or roughly $210).

Source: Creative + Android Community

Apple outs second app for Android, the Beats Pill+ app

We might be seeing a trend here. Or at least Apple is slowly opening up to Google’s mobile operating system. This time around, Apple introduced its second app on Android for the new Beats Pill+ speaker. The app is pretty straightforward as it lets you control what’s on your playlist, check on the battery life, link two devices for that stereo sound effect, and name your speaker. It does make sense they offer this on Android as the speaker isn’t really iOS exclusive.

Source: Gizmodo | Download: Google Play Store (Free)

Sony introduces LED bulb with Bluetooth speaker

We’re not entirely sure if it’s practical to have an LED bulb with a Bluetooth speaker but if novelty speaks to you, then this new product from Sony might interest you.  Sony unveiled a 360-lumen LED bulb in Japan that pairs with your smartphone via Bluetooth, making it easier for you to adjust volume and brightness. It also has a dedicated remote control that can be paired with via NFC.

We can’t say yet if sound quality would be good on this and we can’t test it out yet since Sony hasn’t said if it’s making its way out of Japan. If you do find yourself in Japan and have around an extra US$200 to spare, perhaps you might want to check it out, for novelty’s sake.

Source: Sony | Via: Gizmodo

Graffiti artist Craola makes new design for the Ultimate Ears Safe Haven Edition UE BOOM

 
Ultimate Ears is known to collaborate with artists to create custom designs for their UE BOOM mobile speakers. This time they worked with contemporary graffiti artist Greg "Craola" Simkins. Craola is usually inspired by his favorite childhood books and cartoons, pop culture, nature, and "carnival kitsch." It's evident in the whimsical feel of the Safe Haven Edition UE BOOM. 

If this catches your eye, you better work fast. There will only be 200 pieces of the Safe Haven Edition UE Boom. This will retail for US$199.99.