The SoundFreaq Sound Kick is one of the best Bluetooth speakers you can buy. With excellent sound quality, it’s received stellar reviews and been called the “best speaker under $100” by critics and users alike. Today, we’re changing that to the “best speaker under $50” – our deal brings an awesome 50 percent off, taking the price down to $49.99 for the first time ever. Better yet, you can get guaranteed delivery by Friday, June 19 for Father’s Day.
Despite being only 1.6 inches thick, it is equipped with a pair of 2.3-inch drivers, which utilize “UQ3 spatial sound enhancement” to produce seriously attractive audio. It also offers wireless music streaming via Bluetooth, and an internal battery that lasts for seven hours of playback. You can charge your phone from it, too.
Reviews say that these specs translate to a great sound. Beyond receiving excellent reviews from top critics, it’s got 4.3 stars on over 500 reviews on Amazon. But you won’t want to pay that Amazon price…
Right now, TNW Deals has the Sound Kick for $49.99 with free shipping in the US, which is 50 percent off the MSRP, and the lowest price it has ever retailed for. To take advantage of the limited-time deal, head for the link below.
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Microsoft, Samsung and others form IoT alliance to do what Apple and Google already are
Some big names in tech have formed an alliance to make the confusing Internet of Things (IoT) friendlier.
Called the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF), tech companies such as Microsoft, Samsung, Qualcomm, GE and Intel will help each other “unify IoT standards so that companies and developers can create IoT solutions and devices that work seamlessly together.”
The stated goal is to have all of the various IoT devices unified under one set of standards “regardless of manufacturer, operating system, chipset or transport.” If it succeeds, the OCF will create a more balanced IoT universe.
Unfortunately, this initiative sounds a lot like the WPA — who also count Microsoft and Samsung as members. That association is charged with making wireless charging more technically sound, yet it’s still not ubiquitous or even widely accepted, even among the go-for-broke Android manufacturers.
The OCF also doesn’t have the support of Google or Apple, the two largest players in the IoT space. While Apple has its contained HomeKit offering, Google’s Nest , Weave and Brillo already do what the OCF is aiming to.
➤ Open Connectivity Foundation Brings Massive Scale to IoT Ecosystem [Open Connectivity Foundation via VentureBeat ]
Marshall just released the world’s most badass Android phone
For reasons we can’t explain, Marshall Headphones has released an Android phone.
Simply called the London , the phone is pretty standard on the inside with 4G LTE, 720p display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and an 8-megapixel camera. The difference, according to Marshall, is that this has been designed for music.
The site says the London “might just be the loudest phone on Earth” with two-front facing speakers. It also sports dual headphone jacks so you and a friend can watch movies or listen to music together, without the need for a dongle.
Marshall also touts a special Wolfson WM8281 Audio Hub which is dedicated to audio playback at a “higher resolution” — a claim we’re dubious about, though. An “M” button on the top opens your favorite music app instantly.
The device features Marshall’s classic gold detailing on the buttons and volume rocker, and comes only in matte-black. It looks damn good.
On the software side it runs Android 5.0.2, and comes pre-loaded with a special global audio equalizer along with a special DJ app to get your mixing on.
If you’ve always been dying for a music-first phone, this could be the device for you. It’s likely that Marshall isn’t creating this phone itself, instead working with a manufacturer to build the device on its behalf.
It retails for 4,995 Swedish Krona (about $585) and you can pre-order one now, though it won’t arrive until at least August 17.
➤ Marshall London [via The Verge ]