JBL’s new soundbar brings Android TV and Google Assistant to sets via HDMI (Article removed, posted by mistake by Techcrunch)

by 513

So this link was posted and almost immediately removed.

https://techcrunch.com/2018/05/07/jbls-new-soundbar-brings-android-tv-and-google-assistant-to-sets-via-hdmi/

Pictures:

https://i.imgur.com/TuPJujh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mGivUKB.jpg

The beginning says:

"Given the downright deluge of news over the past couple of weeks, one has to wonder what, precisely, Google isn keeping up its sleeve for I/O. The big event doesn’t kick off until tomorrow morning, but the company just dropped another interesting announcement: JBL Link Bar.

Created in partnership with Google, the living room entertainment device plugs into a set via HDMI, delivering Assistant and Android TV, in the process. It’s a interesting addition to Google’s smart home offerings, a bit like building a Chromecast directly into the soundbar. It’s a way to deliver the new version of Android TV introduced with Oreo, without having to upgrade the set.

The addition of Assistant, meanwhile, comes as Google is looking to compete with the living room footprint Amazon has built by way of the Fire TV. Saying “Hey Google” will fire up the usual array of video content, and when the set is off, the sound bar an double as a Google Home.

According to Google, this is “the first in a series of hybrid devices that delivers a full Assistant speaker and Android TV experience.” So we may be seeing more of those this week at I/O, along with the Link Bar, which will be on display at the event. The speaker’s set to hit stores at some point this fall, for a still TBD price."

getcashmoney

Wow, good find. This product looks really interesting.

GearWorst

What a great way and relatively inexpensive way to put your sound bar ahead of the pack. Most of the costs overlap. You’re already producing the remote, the enclosed with all the right outputs. You just need to add storage, a mic, and a compatible CPU.

gotamd

I think this is a really cool idea, though I worry about the Android TV aspect becoming outdated from a hardware and software perspective long before the sound bar as a whole needs to be replaced. It would be cool if the Android bit was a modular component that could be upgraded in the future.

th3suffering

Like all integrated things, it will get outdated fairly quick, but I wouldnt mind if they wanted to put the guts of a Shield (or better SoC) in a surround sound receiver.

andchrome

This is very interesting we have seen Xiamo and Samsung do same thing with new very think TV they move all into one so sounds bar with OS and one plug to TV. If google have figure out turn tv into smart this is very very good

Timbets
CuvisTheConqueror

It looks like it's been reposted now. Your first link works, and the article shows up on TechCrunch's homepage.

jumpmanjay

Wow. This makes my ShieldTV + Google Home + Yamaha soundbar setup seem janky.

Solarux

Info posted on Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/07/jbls-soundbar-doubles-as-android-tv-box/

edit: more pictures including the back on Ars Technica - https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/05/google-and-jbls-all-in-one-soundbar-combines-android-tv-and-google-home/

USB-C for service, optical, 1/8" stereo, Ethernet, HDMI x 4 (3 in, 1 ARC out), and a subwoofer pairing button

rhdelgado

Here is a Variety article with more details. They've already had a private demo with the device about a week ago.

http://variety.com/2018/digital/news/google-android-tv-jbl-link-bar-1202800839/

midnitte

When you plug the JBL Link Bar into your TV, for example, you can then say "Hey Google" and ask it to play whatever TV show, movie or YouTube content you want to watch or listen to.

I really hope this means that the sound bar itself has a microphone, not merely "controllable by Assistant".

pier25

Hopefully it will come with a subwoofer.

jwort93

Curious if it supports dolby vision passthrough on the HDMI ports, and also HD Audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA).

gigem9000

Very interested! Hopefully they have a version that has a subwoofer

revolvercube

When I first heard the title I thought why? watching the google video seems kinda cool but would love to see the specs and if its something that will have updates, a lot of companies are getting into software and are terrible at it I hope jbl prove me wrong with good specs and good software support

Cant seem to see a remote for this thing, I cant imagine only using voice commands especially since not all apps work with it.

raptir1

It's nice to see something different, but this doesn't solve the issues that come along with it being "built-in." As soon as JBL stops updating this you're looking at buying another soundbar.

I'll stick with my Shield TV until another worthwhile Android TV box is released.

akhild

It's deleted because it's old? https://pl.jbl.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dw935e142d/pdfs/TR03017%20JBL%20Link%20Bar%20SpecSheet%20EN%20Final%2030%20June.pdf

Check this pdf file, it's having same name jbl link bar, it's prepared in 20th June.