LG has finally unveiled the fruits of its work to develop a smart speaker with a key point of difference: the ThinQ Speaker. And it’s quite an exciting prospect.
A Google Assistant-powered smart speaker may be nothing to write home about, but a Google Assistant-powered speaker with Meridian Audio’s technology(following their recent partnership) and functionality with other home appliances certainly is.
Fresh from announcing its dedicated brand for AI products, the Korean manufacturer has given a sneak peak of the first offerings from its ‘ThinQ’ line to be seen at CES 2018 next week – headlined by its ThinQ speaker.
LG state that it intends to deliver the quality audio experience lacking with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices thanks the ThinQ speaker’s support for lossless high-resolution audio (as in LG's more advanced phones) and Meridian’s expertise in delivering a “natural” listening experience.
As with most pre-CES announcements however, it’s not yet clear where LG has priced the speaker, and how it fares with the Sonos One and upcoming Apple HomePod.
Rumours suggest that LG has also turned a lot of attention to ensuring its latest appliances for the home are Assistant-savvy too, meaning owners of home appliances may be able look forward to controlling them via the ThinQ speaker in the near future.
Other products to look forward outside the smart speaker arena include a 5.1.2-channel 550W SK10Y soundbar benefitting from Chromecast support, as well as Meridian’s Bass and Space technology and Height Elevation technology, lossless audio and Dolby Atmos processing.
LG also introduced the PK-series Bluetooth speaker which use Meridian technology to produce what it claims to be "powerful and undistorted bass,” and incorporates lights in its drivers.