Alexa and Apple AirPlay 2 Support Coming to Libratone Zipp Wireless Speakers This Fall

[MacRumors]

Bluetooth speaker maker Libratone has announced that beginning this fall, Zipp and Zipp Mini speaker owners will be able to use their devices to invoke Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant as well as tap in to Apple's forthcoming AirPlay 2 protocol.

The company said it will make a free firmware download available in the coming months that activates Alexa support in the wireless speakers, which connect to Wi-Fi and have integrated microphones.

Following the update, Zipp and Zipp Mini owners will be able to touch the button on the top of the speakers to ask Alexa for news, sports, traffic updates, and all the other things that can be done on Amazon's Echo range of speakers, including controlling smart home devices.

Libratone intends to add Apple AirPlay 2 support as soon as Apple releases the new protocol, which will enable users to stream music wirelessly to multiple speakers of different brands on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay 2 is expected to arrive with the release of iOS 11 next month.

Article Link: Alexa and Apple AirPlay 2 Support Coming to Libratone Zipp Wireless Speakers This Fall

 

[Ludatyk]

With upcoming iOS 11 on the way for AirPlay 2 support.... I picked up 2 Zipp Mini for 199 a piece.

I just like the fact they have Wifi support along with Bluetooth as well and addition to it being portable, I just wish it had Apple Music support... so far it only supports Spotify.

 

[Shoju]

That's pretty neat actually. I picked up several Libratone Zipp around two years ago and I'm pretty amazed at what I get via simple firmware updates.
Plus, they sound great by the way.

 

[Zirel]

With upcoming iOS 11 on the way for AirPlay 2 support.... I picked up 2 Zipp Mini for 199 a piece.

I just like the fact they have Wifi support along with Bluetooth as well and addition to it being portable, I just wish it had Apple Music support... so far it only supports Spotify.

If it has AirPlay, then it supports Apple Music...

 

[Ludatyk]

If it has AirPlay, then it supports Apple Music...

I’m referring to internal speaker support for example there’s a “heart” symbol on the display of the speaker... and there’s an option to add a Spotify playlist when tapping that symbol on the display which you can configure through the Libratone app.

You also have an option to use local or popular radio station when tapping the symbol. It would awesome to be able to have various playlist from my Apple Music collection as an option. So far, it only supports Spotify.

 

[saschke]

While I have two ZIPP Minis for my bathrooms, I'm still salty that the Live (which I snagged at 199 to be fair) and the old ZIPPs are not getting the update. Are there really hardware limitations there or is it just business? I'm honestly not sure.

 

[Ludatyk]

While I have two ZIPP Minis for my bathrooms, I'm still salty that the Live (which I snagged at 199 to be fair) and the old ZIPPs are not getting the update. Are there really hardware limitations there or is it just business? I'm honestly not sure.

Well, I’m just assuming here.

When we look at Apple devices, there is always a limitation when it comes to software updates. Even Android phones have a limitation of 2 year updates.

 

[Tarantularock]

Apple had the Beat's logo up on their wall of supporteds airplay2 speakers, I'm unaware that any of the existing beats speakers use wifi ...so I'd guess we might see some new beats speakers eventually right?

 

[Ludatyk]

Apple had the Beat's logo up on their wall of supporteds airplay2 speakers, I'm unaware that any of the existing beats speakers use wifi ...so I'd guess we might see some new beats speakers eventually right?

Yeah, most likely.

Even though some companies wasn't on Apple list for upcoming support, I'm sure more will come out. This AirPlay 2 feature will be awesome... being able to configure speakers without using a company app.

 

[FireArse]

I spotted this product a few months ago through online review sites. It appears to do it all; the Swiss army knife of wireless speakers.

I got one from John Lewis in the UK (they sound great!) and will consider a second. The promise of AirPlay 2 support won me over. I'm surprised they're not available from Apple.

Go try one out - you won't be disappointed.

 

[wirelesspeakersss]

Bluetooth speaker maker Libratone has announced that beginning this fall, Zipp and Zipp Mini speaker owners will be able to use their devices to invoke Amazon's Alexa virtual assistant as well as tap in to Apple's forthcoming AirPlay 2 protocol.

The company said it will make a free firmware download available in the coming months that activates Alexa support in the wireless speakers, which connect to Wi-Fi and have integrated microphones.

Following the update, Zipp and Zipp Mini owners will be able to touch the button on the top of the speakers to ask Alexa for news, sports, traffic updates, and all the other things that can be done on Amazon's Echo range of speakers, including controlling smart home devices.

Libratone intends to add Apple AirPlay 2 support as soon as Apple releases the new protocol, which will enable users to stream music wirelessly to multiple speakers of different brands on the same Wi-Fi network. AirPlay 2 is expected to arrive with the release of iOS 11 next month.

Article Link: Alexa and Apple AirPlay 2 Support Coming to Libratone Zipp Wireless Speakers This Fall

Great design and very colorful it suits your lifestyle and easy to carry around

 

[FireArse]

I'm surprised they're not available from Apple.

Go try one out - you won't be disappointed.

I found them on the shelves of the Apple Store in Vancouver. They just got a firmware upgrade too. Solid product. No need to have Alexa listening to anything going on in the kitchen..