Bose today announced a couple of new speaker systems – namely the new SoundLink Air and SoundLink Bluetooth II. The SoundLink Air is the first AirPlay set of speakers from Bose, allowing you to send music to the speaker from your iOS device or iTunes library via WiFi. Of course, AirPlay is nothing new, but it’ll be interesting to see how Bose integrates it – hopefully with the same audio quality as their docks! The press release does mention a pain-free setup process, but it is interesting to note that the Air has to be plugged into a computer via USB to begin setup. The SoundLink Air will retail at £299.95, with an optional rechargeable battery costing £89.95.
Meanwhile, Bose have also introduced the SoundLink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II, an update of the original SoundLink mobile released in 2011. The SoundLink Mobile II has a new protective cover (also serving as a stand) with a rather clever feature – flip the cover open and it becomes visible via Bluetooth, but when you snap the cover shut the speakers turn off. The 6 last connected devices are also stored in memory, so you don’t need to pair your device every time you want to play some music. The SoundLink Mobile speaker II will cost £249.95 with a nylon cover, or £299.95 for a chrome and leather edition. You can also buy additional nylon (red or blue) or leather (black or tan) covers for £24.95 and £44.95 respectively.
The SoundLink Air and SoundLink Mobile Speaker II will be available from today. Press release follows:
BOSE INTRODUCES SOUNDLINK® AIR DIGITAL MUSIC SYSTEM AND SOUNDLINK® BLUETOOTH® MOBILE SPEAKER II
13 September, 2012 – Bose introduces two new SoundLink® wireless speakers: SoundLink® Air digital music system, its first-ever Apple AirPlay-enabled product; and SoundLink® Bluetooth® Mobile speaker II, an update of the original SoundLink® Mobile speaker launched in 2011. Whether streaming music via a home wireless network to the SoundLink® Air system, or streaming from a mobile device using Bluetooth technology to the SoundLink® Mobile speaker II, clear and powerful sound is available wirelessly from Bose.
“We’ve always believed that the convenience of streaming music has to be matched with great audio performance,” said John Roselli, director of Bose® Product Marketing. “And the SoundLink® Air system and SoundLink® Mobile speaker II deliver better audio reproduction whether you use AirPlay or Bluetooth technology.”
A New Level of AirPlay-Enabled Performance
The SoundLink® Air digital music system is a one-piece wireless speaker system that streams audio from an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or a computer’s iTunes library via Apple’s AirPlay technology and a Wi-Fi® network. The SoundLink® Air system requires, so owners can maintain full control of their device – browsing, texting or making calls – all while enjoying a new level of audio performance from an AirPlay-enabled system of this size. The SoundLink® Air system is beautifully designed and engineered for performance. It incorporates proprietary Bose® acoustic waveguide speaker technology, neodymium transducers, and Bose digital signal processing to deliver detailed, room-filling sound across the entire frequency range and at any listening level. Music is reproduced accurately – clear and natural, without audible distortion, manufactured boosts or accentuation.
Setup is straightforward. Connect the SoundLink® Air system to a computer using the included USB cable, go to Bose.co.uk/wifisetup, complete a few easy steps, and the SoundLink® Air system connects to a home Wi-Fi network. Once complete, an AirPlay icon automatically appears on the Apple device or a computer running iTunes (Mac or PC). Select it, and music is streamed instantly to the SoundLink® Air system. The SoundLink® Air system has two options for control of basic functions: the Apple iOS device or an included infrared remote. It also offers an aux-in to connect to other audio devices and an optional rechargeable lithium-ion battery for more freedom. Unplug the system and place it anywhere in range of the Wi-Fi network for hours of uninterrupted listening.
The SoundLink® Bluetooth® Mobile Speaker II
First introduced in 2011, the original SoundLink® Mobile speaker quickly redefined the Bluetooth speaker category. Designed to work with most Bluetooth-enabled devices – iPhone, iPad, Android phones or other tablets – the SoundLink® speaker has been globally recognized for delivering a new level of audio performance, mobility and durability in its category. With new technology, the SoundLink® Mobile speaker II raises the standard set by the original with improved full-range audio: more lifelike and accurate, with no increase in the system’s size. Bose® engineers integrated new neodymium transducers and an updated digital signal processing algorithm into the acoustics package. Combined with the company’s patented dual-opposing passive radiators, the SoundLink® Mobile speaker II reproduces deeper low notes, and more definition and clarity across mid- and high-frequencies.
The SoundLink® Mobile speaker II features a new integrated leather or nylon bi-fold protective cover, which also serves as the speaker’s stand. Connecting to the speaker is as easy as flipping the cover open and making a quick Bluetooth connection to a smartphone, tablet or any other Bluetooth device. The six most recently used Bluetooth devices are stored in memory, eliminating the need to pair again. Music can be streamed while texting, emailing or browsing the web. And the system turns off by simply closing the cover.
Availability
The SoundLink® Air digital music system and the SoundLink® Mobile speaker II will be available worldwide from Bose beginning 13 September, 2012 at authorised Bose dealers, Bose retail stores, www.bose.co.uk
The SoundLink® Air system comes in high-gloss black with a metal grille for the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of £299.95 an optional rechargeable lithium-ion battery will be sold separately for £89.95 RRP.
The SoundLink® Mobile speaker II comes in a standard, black trim package with a dark gray nylon bi-fold cover for £249.95 RRP or in a premium, chrome trim package with a dark brown leather bi-fold cover for £299.95 RRP. Accessory covers in nylon (red or blue) and leather (black or tan) are available separately for £24.95 and £44.95 RRP, respectively.