Harman International has released the JBL On Tour iBT (http://www.JBL.com), a battery-powered, one-piece speaker unit that provides sound for music, movies, gaming devices and audio/video conference calls.
The US$199 JBL On Tour iBT uses Bluetooth wireless technology to deliver audio from an iPad, iPhone, and iPod, Android smartphones and numerous music players from major brands. Weighing just over one pound, it slips into a backpack or purse. The speaker ships with a tabletop stand to display an iPad in portrait or landscape mode.
The JBL On Tour iBT sports four Odyssey full-range neodymium transducers with computer-optimized DSP (digital signal processing) equalization for richly detailed, 360-degree sound, says Sachin Lawande, EVP and co-president of Harman’s Lifestyle and Infotainment divisions. The device works with the common A2DP and AVRCP Bluetooth profiles, allowing Apple’s portable products, Android phones, music players and even desktop or laptop computers to pair with the JBL On Tour iBT. It also supports the latest Apple codecs (AAC) t.
The JBL On Tour iBT includes a built-in microphone so it can be used as a speakerphone for conference calls or video chats. The speaker is powered by four AA batteries or a wall outlet; when connected to an outlet via the included AC adapter, the JBL On Tour iBT will charge an iPad, iPhone, or iPod through a built-in USB socket.