Beats’ Tablet (2024) would not characteristic AirPlay 2

2024 marks a giant 12 months for Beats: the resurrection of its beforehand discontinued Beats Pill. Launched in 2013, refreshed in 2015, and discontinued in 2022, the Beats Tablet has all the time been an fascinating product to me. Being an Apple fanatic, the Beats Tablet felt just like the moveable speaker I ought to need to use. My problem with the Beats Tablet on the time was that it was an overpriced Bluetooth speaker with less-than-stellar sound. So, I wasn’t stunned when Apple discontinued it — I definitely wasn’t putting any bets that it’d be introduced again.

In any case, the Bluetooth speaker market is fairly saturated with extra opponents than I can rely. Apple is rarely probably the most feature-rich or price-competitive with its merchandise, however it does get pleasure from working in markets the place it has one thing distinctive to supply. So, as soon as rumors began showing of Apple’s worst-kept secret, a brand new Beats Tablet, my curiosity peaked. Would this lastly be the moveable Apple speaker of my goals? Would Apple have one thing fascinating, recent, or aggressive to supply?

Beats’ “dedication” to AirPlay

It by no means confirmed up

Pocket-lint

There’s actually just one factor I wished to see from a brand new Beats Tablet — AirPlay 2. Apple introduced AirPlay 2 in 2018 alongside the HomePod as an improved approach to stream media from Apple gadgets to suitable accomplice equipment. A large advantage of AirPlay 2 is multi-device output, which permits the choice of a number of audio targets from one machine. Throughout WWDC 2017, 14 firm logos had been proven on stage as dedicated companions for AirPlay 2; one was Beats. Nonetheless, in 2024, a Beats speaker with AirPlay 2 has by no means materialized. Just like next-generation CarPlay, generally partnerships fizzle out, and merchandise don’t come to market. But, Beats isn’t a standard accomplice; it’s an Apple subsidiary.

One firm proven on stage that did ship an AirPlay 2 speaker was Libratone. The Libratone ZIPP is a reasonably good speaker. I typically used it as a transportable, battery-powered AirPlay 2 speaker–and it was nice. In comparison with AirPlay, Bluetooth sucks, and the Libratone ZIPP bolstered that perception. AirPlay 2 permits for HomeKit automations, simpler connection through Management Middle, and higher audio high quality.

As an individual who fairly likes his HomePods, I might’ve jumped at a transportable Beats speaker with AirPlay 2, so I believed a brand new Beats Tablet is perhaps the long-overdue dedicated speaker. Sadly, that is not the case.

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Apple AirPlay 2 vs AirPlay: Differences and perks explained

AirPlay 2 improves upon Apple’s unique AirPlay, together with multi-room audio, listening to totally different songs on totally different audio system, and extra.

Sonos is healthier at supporting Apple’s options than Apple

The Sonos Transfer and Roam kick the Tablet’s butt

Sonos / Pocket-lint

Humorous sufficient, Sonos wasn’t even one of many accomplice firms introduced on stage with Beats and Libratone. Nonetheless, the audio-focused firm helps AirPlay 2 throughout its lineup. Two Sonos audio system that significantly caught my curiosity are the Sonos Move and Sonos Roam. Whereas the Beats Tablet is $149, helps line-in through USB-C, has IP67 water resistance, and 24-hours of battery, the Sonos Roam is $179 with no line-in, the identical IP67 water resistance, 10-hours of battery, and, in fact, AirPlay.

For $449, the Sonos Transfer is an much more highly effective speaker with USB-C line-in help, IP56 water resistance, 24-hours of battery, and, once more, AirPlay.

These Sonos wi-fi audio system supply nearly the whole lot the Beats Tablet does or extra, together with AirPlay 2. Sonos is making the whole lot that the Beats Tablet must be, granted at the next value level. That’s humorous, contemplating Apple is often the corporate charging exorbitant costs for area of interest, ecosystem-specific options. Whereas the brand new Beats Tablet is a superb speaker, for those who’re invested within the Apple ecosystem and may afford it, take into account an possibility from Sonos or Libratone that provides a extra versatile characteristic set.

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After trying the Sonos Roam 2, I’ll never need another wireless speaker

From the wonderful sound high quality to its ultra-portable weight and dimension, Sonos’ Roam 2 is actually probably the most spectacular audio system I’ve ever used.