Logitech Launches WiDi And Bluetooth Speaker Adapters; Spotify For Squeezebox

Logitech's streaming music ambitions continue, with the launch of the Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi laptops unveiled, along with a Bluetooth counterpart and a deal which will see Spotify support added to the Squeezebox range. The WiDi Wireless Speaker Adapter uses Intel's wireless display technology but for quick & easy audio streaming instead, using a compact adapter box that hooks up to your HiFi or standalone speakers.

Ports include regular RCA jacks or a 3.5mm stereo socket, and setup is apparently as straightforward as plugging in and hitting the connect button. Meanwhile, the Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth Audio Devices does basically the same thing, only using the more common – but shorter range and lower bandwidth – Bluetooth connection instead. Each will go on sale in May 2011, priced at $29.99.

As for Spotify, a new update to the Squeezebox Touch and Squeezebox Radio players adds the streaming music service to the WiFi audio system. A beta version is available now, ahead of the full rollout "in the very near future", though you'll need a Spotify Premium subscription in order to use it.

Press Release:

Logitech to Deliver Adapter to Wirelessly Connect Your Laptop Audio to Your Speakers

Logitech Expands Audio Family with Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi Enabled Laptops

LAS VEGAS — CES — Jan. 5, 2011 — To turn your favorite speakers into a wireless sound system, today Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) introduced the Logitech® Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel® WiDi-enabled laptops. Now built into a wide range of current laptops from all the major manufacturers and expected soon on select netbooks, Intel® Wireless Display (or Intel WiDi) lets you quickly connect your laptop audio to your existing stereo speakers via Wi-Fi.

"Intel's WiDi technology is quickly proliferating in the marketplace," said Mark Schneider, vice president and general manager Logitech's audio business unit. "Now thanks to Intel WiDi and the Logitech Wireless Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops, it's easy to turn up the volume while you're listening to Pandora® or watching a YouTube® video. And you can do it with the speaker system you already own."

The Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter uses WiDi wireless connectivity to stream audio from your Intel WiDi-enabled laptop to your favorite speakers. You'll enjoy better sound quality than you can get from built-in laptop speakers. And your laptop stays portable, so you have the freedom to move around with it.

"With Logitech as a worldwide leader in PC speakers, we're excited they are bringing an audio adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled devices to market," said Kerry Forell, Intel Product Line Manager for Intel WiDi. "Intel WiDi is built into more than 50 laptop models from more than 12 leading PC OEMs today, and we expect additional momentum with our 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ processor-based laptops, as well as the expansion into the Intel® Atom™ processor-based netbook market in 2011. The Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops presents a tremendous opportunity for Intel to help customers extend the PC audio experience to a higher-fidelity home speaker system."

Intel Wireless Display software is easy to set up and use. Simply plug the Logitech adapter into your speakers using the included standard analog RCA or 3.5 mm jacks, launch the Intel® WiDi software on your laptop, push "Connect" on your laptop and adapter, and your Intel WiDi-enabled laptop will automatically pair with your speakers.

Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth Audio Devices

Logitech also unveiled a wireless sound system for your smartphone or tablet with the introduction of the Logitech® Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth® audio devices. To stream music or other audio from your smartphone or tablet to your favorite speakers, the new Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth audio devices uses Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Bluetooth software makes it easy to set up and use. And you can attach your speakers using the included standard analog RCA or 3.5 mm jacks.

Both new Logitech wireless speaker adapters are small enough to be discreetly hidden away in your living room, bedroom or kitchen.

Pricing and Availability

The Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Intel WiDi-enabled laptops and the Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth audio devices are expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe in May for a suggested retail price of $29.99 (U.S.) respectively.

Press Release:

Spotify Arrives on Logitech Squeezebox

MORGES, Switzerland–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Logitech (SIX:LOGN) (NASDAQ:LOGI) today announced that it has joined forces with Spotify® to support the popular music service on the Logitech® Squeezebox™ Wi-Fi music players.

"Whatever music you like from wherever in the world, Spotify and Squeezebox make it even easier for you to sit back, listen and relax in any room in your home"

Using your existing wireless home network and your Squeezebox Touch or Squeezebox Radio player, you can now access Spotify's comprehensive catalogue of more than ten million songs, including your Spotify playlists, anywhere in the home.

"Spotify represents a new breed of music service, offering high-quality, instant access to the world's music," said Romain Du Gardier, senior product manager for Logitech EMEA.

"Whatever music you like from wherever in the world, Spotify and Squeezebox make it even easier for you to sit back, listen and relax in any room in your home," added Du Gardier. "Logitech is delighted to add Spotify to its family of online music services for the Squeezebox product line."

Spotify provides instant access to whatever music you want, whenever and wherever you want it, through both free-to-the-user and paid subscription offers.

To enjoy Spotify on your Squeezebox Touch or Squeezebox Radio, all you'll need is a Spotify Premium subscription, which in addition will give you CD-quality 320 kbps sound, offline and mobile access, as well as exclusive music content.

"Today people want to be in total charge of what music they listen to and where they listen to it," said Pascal De Mul, Global Head of Hardware Partnerships, Spotify. "They demand total access to everything the music world has to offer, instantly, simply and in great quality. Our collaboration with Logitech gives people that ability, allowing everyone to listen to the world's music in every corner of the house."

A fully featured test version of the Spotify app for Squeezebox Touch and Squeezebox Radio owners is available today in Beta form from www.mysqueezebox.com, prior to a full rollout expected in the very near future. Spotify is currently available in Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the U.K.

For more details about the Beta version and how to install it please visit www.mysqueezebox.com/spotify