The Ultimate Ears Megablast and Blast speakers will soon offer support for Spotify voice controls, via the built-in Alexa assistant.
The Logitech offshoot has announced four new features for the recently-released smart speakers, continuing the tradition of after-purchase improvements.
The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled speakers are also adding compatibility with Spotify Connect, new speaker grouping options and enhanced app controls.
Let’s start with the voice controls though. When it launches, UE Blast users will be able to say “Alexa, play my Discover Weekly”, for example.
Services like Amazon Music, Deezer and TuneIn are already supported, so it’s about time Spotify joined the fray.
Related: Which Amazon Echo speaker should you buy?
As for Spotify Connect compatibility, which is also coming soon, users will benefit from one-touch playback from the Spotify app, without the need to connect through Bluetooth.
UE explains in a press release: “When on Wi-Fi, open the Spotify app on your phone and play music directly to our speakers (under “Devices Available”).
“With Spotify Connect, text message or make calls without interrupting the music and save your phone’s battery.”
The Ultimate Ears app now offers volume controls, which the company says will be useful when attempting to summon Alexa while music is blazing.
It’ll also be possible to check the battery status within the app or by pressing the “+/-” volume buttons simultaneously.
The company is also promising a new grouping experience for the speakers.
It explains: “You can group up to eight MEGABLAST and BLAST speakers on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Stereo mode is supported when you connect two MEGABLAST or BLAST speakers. Optimized to take advantage of the speakers’ built-in Wi-Fi capability, you will experience greater range for grouped speakers and improved connection reliability. Grouping is expected to be available later this year.”
Will this update make you more likely to buy the UE Blast or Megablast speakers? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
