LG is finally coming up with its smart speaker line-up. On Thursday, the company teased its ThinQ speaker line-up powered by Google Assistant. An AI enabled speaker also suggests that LG is gearing up to launch various other devices supporting voice assistant.
LG smart speaker – what to expect?
LG smart speaker supports lossless high-resolution audio similar to what advanced smartphones from the brand deliver. The speaker deploys the Meridian Audio’s know-how to play “more natural and warm” music.
“Our latest lineup of audio products has been designed for those listeners who value premium sound with smart-enabled capabilities, and demonstrates how LG continues to push the boundaries on how people enjoy music and movies,” said the head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA – Tim Alessi, in a press release.
LG said it has partnered with Google to ensure that its speaker delivers all the “conveniences that come with having a digital assistant at your side.” There are several Google Assistant enabled speakers in the market, but they lack few features found in the Google Home series of speakers such as the outbound phone calls. Hopefully, LG ThinQ would be the first third-party smart speaker to close this gap, says 9to5google.
Images of the LG smart speaker suggest a resemblance to Google Home devices. LG’s ThinQ, however, looks a little bigger than Home speakers, notes 9to5google. Since, LG smart speaker promises to be a premium audio product, there are chances it would cost more than similar Google Home products.
Other premium products in line-up
Apart from LG smart speaker, the South Korean tech giant also unveiled a string of new audio products such as soundbars and portable Bluetooth speakers. In collaboration with Meridian Audio – British audio experts, LG is presenting a new Dolby Atmos SK10Y soundbar and portable PK series speaker featuring “premium sound and mood lighting.”
LG SK10Y Dolby Atmos soundbar is integrated with 5.1.2 channels of audio output, and a total power rating of 550 Watts. There are two upward firing speakers to give an enveloping sound, and the volume of the speakers can be adjusted to support varying ceiling heights, notes Pocket-lint.
LG claims that its product offers “rich, uncompromising sound” – thanks to the bass and space technology of the Meridian Audio. The owner would get clear sound no matter where they are seated in the room.
Further, the SK10Y can playback music and supports 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio. The soundbar is designed to synch perfectly with LG’s 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs, and can connect with a wide range of third-party devices like Chromecast.
LG also teased an “all-in-one” party machine outfitted with karaoke options and light schemes. “These all-in-one speakers offer a variety of features designed to get everyone on the dance floor moving, such as 1,800W output, DJ capabilities, karaoke modes and lights,” LG says.
As of now, there is no word on the pricing or any real specifications of LG ThinQ Speaker and other products. We can expect more information on the products at the CES 2018.
