Bluetooth speaker maker Libratone has announced that beginning this fall, Zipp and Zipp Mini speaker owners will be able to use their devices to invoke Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant as well as tap in to Apple's forthcoming AirPlay 2 protocol.
The company said it will make a free firmware download available in the coming months that activates Alexa support in the wireless speakers, which connect to Wi-Fi and have integrated microphones.
/article-new/2017/08/libratone_zipp_all.jpg?lossy)
Following the update, Zipp and Zipp Mini owners will be able to touch the button on the top of the speakers to ask Alexa for news, sports, traffic updates, and all the other things that can be done on Amazon's Echo range of speakers, including controlling smart home devices.
Libratone intends to add Apple AirPlay 2 support as soon as Apple releases the new protocol, which will enable users to stream music wirelessly to multiple speakers of different brands on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay 2 is expected to arrive with the release of iOS 11 next month.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)I got one from John Lewis in the UK (they sound great!) and will consider a second. The promise of AirPlay 2 support won me over. I'm surprised they're not available from Apple.
Go try one out - you won't be disappointed.
Plus, they sound great by the way. :)
Apple had the Beat's logo up on their wall of supporteds airplay2 speakers, I'm unaware that any of the existing beats speakers use wifi ...so I'd guess we might see some new beats speakers eventually right?
Yeah, most likely.Even though some companies wasn't on Apple list for upcoming support, I'm sure more will come out. This AirPlay 2 feature will be awesome... being able to configure speakers without using a company app.
I just like the fact they have Wifi support along with Bluetooth as well and addition to it being portable, I just wish it had Apple Music support... so far it only supports Spotify.