Bluetooth SIG Announces Auracast Broadcast Audio Capability

When the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the trade association that oversees Bluetooth technology, announced the upcoming release of LE Audio at CES 2020, the new specification promised two major benefits: the new LC3 codec to provide higher audio quality with the same battery life, and Broadcast Audio, enabling personal and location-based Audio Sharing. Now the Bluetooth SIG announced a new consumer brand for what was previously known as Audio Sharing, now as Auracast broadcast audio.

Soundboks, the Danish company that is also one of the most unexpected startups to ever succeed in the audio lifestyle space, continues to grow and just announced its second design in seven years. Being the famous inventors of the gigantic Soundboks Bluetooth speaker that required a reinforced dedicated backpack to be called portable, Soundboks now announced the launch of the Soundboks Go Speaker. This lighter, battery—powered version is still a big speaker for the segment, and uses an efficient Infineon Merus two-channel Class D amplifier.

When Soundboks introduced its "Bluetooth-speaker-for-parties" that looked like a Peavey guitar speaker, we couldn't stop laughing. Particularly at the suggestion that this would be a "portable" solution, loaded with battery-packs the size of a car battery (and as heavy) - the promotional images showed a guy carrying the "thing" on a backpack while riding a bicycle, and another one hiking through a mountain! Five years later, the Danish company has the last laugh with 50,000 units sold and introducing it's third-generation Soundboks speaker.

On track to roll out 30 new products in the year following CEDIA 2019, Atlantic Technology is now shipping the FS Series wireless powered subwoofers, two new slim compact subwoofers that affordably deliver satisfying bass to any TV, soundbar or audio system. The new FS-Series 6.5-inch and 8-inch powered subwoofers offer universal connectivity - wired and wireless - and its design offers more placement freedom, giving users and integrators more options.

Canadian company Eleven Engineering, specializing in semiconductor products for wireless audio for home theater, multi-room, portable, professional, 12 Volt (car, truck, motorcycle, power sports, marine) and gaming applications, and the developer of the renowned SKAA wireless audio solutions, announced a partnership with Infineon Technologies to promote the company's MERUS multilevel amplifier range.