AQ Audio (www.aqaudio.com), an UK audio company, makes their debut in the U.S. with the launch of the US$179 AQ SmartSpeaker. It sports the AQ Direct mode “which permits users to break free from the Wi-Fi network and enjoy AirPlay technology anywhere.”
AirPlay lets you stream not only your iTunes Libraries but Internet Radio stations, Spotifiy, audio from films or TV programs and other popular music apps. Although it has AirPlay capabilities built for Apple devices, the SmartSpeaker also empowers Android and Windows users via a special DLNA Certified App available at the Google Play Store and via Microsoft’s “Play To” feature.
The AQ SmartSpeaker offers over 10 hours of playback. An auto power down function is designed to further increase battery life by powering down the unit after 10 minutes of non-use when the speaker is running off of its battery. Using two AQ SmartSpeakers, you can select left and right channel separation.