JBL speakers get Google Now voice integration

JBL has made quite a name for itself in the speaker business. Now, via an announcement at IFA, their Xtreme, Pulse 2, Charge 3, and Flip 3 speakers are all getting Google Now and Siri voice integration, allowing you to use these portable music makers as personal assistants.

Music lovers can activate the voice assistant features by simply pressing the ‘Multifunction Button’ (the speaker’s Play/Pause button turns into a voice activation button) on their JBL portable device. By activating Siri or Google Now’s push-to-talk, users have the convenience to change the song, make a call or check the weather report – all by speaking to JBL.

JBL says that they’re looking at making this feature standard on their portable speakers going forward. From here on out, if you purchase one of their new products, you’ll be able to request songs and control your speaker using only your voice. They will also be launching a JBL CONNECT app, which should become available later this month.

This is part and parcel with the direction Google expects technology to take in general. They believe the future of our engagement with our devices will be intrinsically conversational, so we can probably expect to see more and more of our gadgets gaining sophisticated voice control integration.redditors google