Beats Electronics, now an Apple subsidiary, as unveiled its first new Bluetooth speaker since the company became a part of Apple last year. The Beats Pill+ is a bit larger than the original Pill speaker, and features support for charging with an Apple Lightning cable.
With a bigger size comes not only a bigger sound, but also a better sound. The new Beats Pill+ features a new two-way crossover system to create an optimized sound and dynamic range for all musical styles. The speaker also has a 12-hour battery life, and in addition to the Lightning port to charge itself, it features a USB-A port that will let you charge your phone directly from the Pill+.
Beats is also introducing an app to control the Pill+. The app allows you and a friend to control music to the Pill+ from up to two Bluetooth sources. You can also use the app to pair two Pill+ speakers together, and sync them for stereo sound.
The Beats Pill+ and its app are expected to arrive next month. The Beats Pill+ will cost $229, and will be available from Apple's online store, along with authorized Beats retailers.
Press release:
BEATS BY DR. DRE LAUNCHES NEW BEATS PILL+ BLUETOOTH WIRELESS SPEAKER
06 OCTOBER 2015 BEATS BY DR. DRE LAUNCHES NEW BEATS PILL+ BLUETOOTH WIRELESS SPEAKER
Download the New Beats Pill+ App For Additional Features and Functionality
Culver City – October 7, 2015 – Beats by Dr. Dre (Beats) today introduced the Beats Pill+ speaker, the latest addition to the company's growing portfolio of exceptional wireless, Bluetooth products. The Beats Pill+ sets a new standard for quality and design within the burgeoning portable speaker market and reinforces the company's commitment to innovation and function, and most importantly, a premium sound experience for music fans. Beats is a leading audio brand co-founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine and is part of Apple.
"When you obsess about sound the way that we do at Beats, portable Bluetooth speakers can be very tricky," said Beats President Luke Wood. "We spent countless days, weeks, months testing for that perfect combination of form and function - small enough to travel but still big enough to feel the emotion of the music. That's what you get with Pill+."
"According to NPD, Beats is the current sales leader in the wireless category with its portfolio of Bluetooth headphones and speakers," said Ben Arnold, industry analyst from The NPD Group. "Bluetooth continues to be a primary driver of growth in the wireless audio market, as Bluetooth headphones and speakers have grown 57 percent year to date. The increase in sales indicates consumers value having a premium audio experience along with the convenience of wireless."
Beats has shipped over a million Beats Pills worldwide since the product launched in 2012.
Introducing The New Beats Pill+ Speaker
Sound - The Beats Pill+ is slightly larger than the original Beats Pill speaker, allowing for a bigger and fuller sound. The stereo active 2-way crossover system creates an optimized sound field for dynamic range and clarity across all genres of music. Tweeter and woofer separation uses the same acoustic mechanics found in professional recording studios around the world.
Design - With its clean and sophisticated design, Beats Pill+ speaker looks as good as it sounds. Compact and durable enough to throw in your bag, the Beats Pill+ is designed to go wherever you do. Convenient button controls are now at the top of the speaker so you can manage your music with ease.
Power management - The Beats Pill+ speaker has a 12-hour battery life to stay charged on the go. The lightning cable and power supply provide a quick full charge in just 3 hours. Keep track of your power levels with the fuel gauge so you always know how much battery is left and use the USB port to charge out.
Additionally, Beats today announced the Beats Pill+ app for iOS or Android devices that provides added features and functionality, and allows you to manage your speaker straight from your fingertips. Using the intuitive interface, you can toggle between different modes of play with a simple tap or allow a friend to simultaneously pair to your speaker.
Features available through the Beats Pill+ app include:
DJ THE PLAYLIST: Grab a friend and control the music from two Bluetooth sources. AMPLIFY YOUR SOUND: Add a second Beats Pill+ speaker into the mix and simultaneously play from both speakers for a sound that's twice as full. PUT IT IN STEREO: Sync two Beats Pill+ speakers together for dedicated left and right playback and an even more dynamic sound experience. The new Beats Pill+ retails for $229.95 and will be available for purchase at Apple.com and authorized Beats retailers beginning next month.
