STACK #225 July 2023

TECH FEATURE

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THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW A SMART SPEAKER CAN DO

We’re hearing a lot about artificial intelligence lately, but it’s not all doomy Big Brother stuff. AI is at the heart of smart speaker technology, and it’s there to serve us, be it pumping out our favourite tunes, expanding our musical horizons, or assisting with everyday tasks. The latest smart speakers also up the music quality ante – and at prices to suit all budgets, too. Words Bec Summer GET SPEAKER SMART!

Apple’s Siri – so look for a speaker that will fit your current setup. Easy-peasy! We’re not all tech savvy, so smart speaker creators go to increasingly great lengths to make setting up their device easy, usually via simple installation of a smartphone app that handles the process. Don’t forget! It can take memos, give you timed reminders, or even keep ever evolving lists, such as what you need to grab on a grocery run. Need a laugh? Ask your smart speaker to tell you a joke. Radio times There’s a very good chance your favourite radio station is available on your smart speaker. What to listen to? Your smart speaker is also a budding DJ, so ask for a random music genre playlist and it’ll happily oblige. Nighty-night Ask your smart speaker to play some soothing white noise for you – we’re quite partial to rain sounds.

Here are some key features to look out for when taking the plunge into smart speaker technology...

Power! Make sure the speaker can pump out enough volume for the spaces where you intend to use it. If you’re not sure, ask a friendly JB staff member for advice. Connectivity Most smart speakers link to a smartphone via Bluetooth, providing portable convenience.

And Bluetooth’s range means the sound won’t drop out if you leave a room with a connected smart device in your pocket. Some smart speakers allow connection of an external media device – like a CD player or turntable – in which case you’ll want a 3.5mm auxiliary port. Voice control Smart speakers give you the

freedom to get on with things, while calling out simple voice commands, from skipping tracks to asking questions. This can extend beyond just controlling your speaker, with many acting as a convenient control hub for smart home devices, like lighting. There are various smart ecosystems – some popular ones are Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and

Amazon Echo Pop Compact Smart Speaker

Sonos Era 100 Smart Speaker This compact smart speaker is packed with cutting edge technology to deliver detailed sound with that beloved bass thump. Clever engineering enables it to pump out sound to the left and right for better separation – or pair two together to really rock the room! Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Sonos Era 300 Smart Speaker Sonos have purpose built the Era 300 for powerful audio, packing in six drivers that fire sound all around, with support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio. It boasts Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and line-in connectivity, and when coupled with a Sonos Arc or Beam soundbar in a home cinema setup,

The colourful Echo Pop will fill a small space with big sound. Offering hands-free voice control via Alexa, simply ask to play your music, podcasts, or audiobooks. Wondering about the weather or latest news? “Alexa…”

This Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connected speaker also serves as a smart home hub to control other compatible devices, and you can even connect a series of Pops together for multiroom sound or a handy intercom system.

compatible, you can stream your favourite audio, and even connect a turntable via USB-C line-in (adapter required). There’s voice control too, via the Sonos app or Alexa.

your neighbours will know it’s movie time next door! Stay in

total control via the Sonos App or Alexa, or go old-school with super-responsive touch controls.

24 JULY 2023

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