VIZIO Debuts Innovative, Portable Smart Audio Line-Up, Delivering Powerful Audio in an All-in-One Solution
Unique Design Frees Consumers from Mobile Devices Tethered to Speakers, Offering An Uninterrupted Entertainment Experience with High-Performance Audio and Touchscreen Convenience In One Beautifully Smart Audio Solution
Irvine, CA and Las Vegas, NV — January 6, 2014 — VIZIO, America’s #1 Sound Bar company 1 , announced today a revolutionary new product category with the debut of the VIZIO 7” and 4.7” portable smart audio. A solution for today’s streaming audio fan, VIZIO’s portable smart audio line-up differs from existing Bluetooth or wireless speakers by delivering a complete “smart” audio experience. Combining unparalleled high-quality audio performance with a built-in touchscreen display that runs Android KitKat, VIZIO’s latest audio innovation is built for easy direct streaming. Rather than being tethered to a Bluetooth-enabled or docked device, the VIZIO portable smart audio collection offers consumers all-in-one portability that allows audio and video apps to be streamed independently from smartphones or tablets. Thanks to Android KitKat, streaming content like music, TV shows, movies and games is easier than ever. VIZIO will be showcasing its new smart audio products at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, NV at the Wynn Hotel, by appointment only.
As an established leader in the audio space and America’s #1 Smart TV company 2 , VIZIO is uniquely positioned to deliver on the needs of today’s users, who consume as much audio and video content over the Internet as they do through conventional channels. The VIZIO 7” and 4.7” portable smart audio products feature superior audio quality that even discerning audiophiles can appreciate, complete with integrated deep bass modules for low frequency fidelity. From the office, to kitchen, to beach or backyard BBQ, the portability of VIZIO’s portable smart audio line-up marries convenience with high performance audio quality in a unique, no-compromise mobile design.
Current wireless speakers or docks that solely rely on Bluetooth or a physical connection often interrupt the audio experience when incoming calls, e-mails, text messages or other notifications come through the connected device. With VIZIO portable smart audio, consumers can now discover an uninterrupted entertainment experience from a complete, standalone solution.
“After looking very closely at the audio space, VIZIO decided it needed to be disrupted with a combination of our leading audio and smart TV technologies,” said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. “Our new portable smart audio line-up reinvents the category by combining class-leading audio performance with a full touchscreen Android platform, delivering a first-class device capable of streaming music, playing games and watching video directly from the cloud or local storage.”
The innovative VIZIO portable smart audio line-up will debut with two sizes, offering either a 7” or 4.7” touchscreen display for easy access to Android apps for streaming audio and video playback. Equipped with 802.11n, apps can be downloaded and accessed whenever the portable smart audio device is connected to Wi-Fi. When out of wireless range, users can also play content from their smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth, or utilize the portable smart audio’s on-board memory for local playback of their favorite tunes. Alternatively, a USB port is available for additional storage expansion.
Designed with performance and convenience in mind, the innovative all-in-one design maximizes both volume and audio quality in a compact design, with the 7” display model featuring a sleek integrated handle for grab-and-go portability. A simple out-of-the-box set-up, similar to that of a smartphone or tablet, allows consumers to start enjoying content quickly and easily. The built-in, rechargeable lithium ion battery ensures the device can deliver hours of entertainment for a completely mobile and uninterrupted entertainment experience that frees the user to use their smartphone or tablet for other tasks.
More information on VIZIO’s innovative smart audio device, including price and retail partners, will be released closer to product availability. For more information on VIZIO’s complete product line-up, visit VIZIO.com/CES .
1 The NPD Group / Retail Monthly Tracking Service, Sound Bar Units Sold, Jan 2010 – Jan 2013
2 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included
About VIZIO
VIZIO, Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, California. In Q2 2007, VIZIO skyrocketed to the top by becoming the #1 shipping brand of flat panel HDTVs in North America and in Q3 2007 became the first American brand in over a decade to lead in North American LCD HDTV shipments. VIZIO was #1 in North America LCD for 2010 1 . VIZIO is now also America’s #1 Smart TV 5 and large size LCD company 2 as the leading seller of 60” and larger HDTVs in the U.S. with 30% of the market in this class 2 . VIZIO was the #1 Sound Bar Company in the U.S. for Q1 2013 4 For over a decade, VIZIO has remained committed to what it does best -- focus on the consumer to deliver visionary products at a great value. VIZIO offers a broad range of award winning consumer electronics that now include PCs and mobility products. VIZIO's products are found at Amazon, Best Buy, BJ’s Wholesale, Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide. VIZIO has won numerous awards including a #1 ranking in the Inc. 500 for Top Companies in Computers and Electronics and made the lists of Ad Age's Hottest Brands, CNET's Editor's Choice, CNET Best of CES 2011 - Television, CNET Best of CES 2013 – Home Theater and Audio, Home Theater Magazine’s Top Picks, Good Housekeeping's Best Big-Screens, PC World's Best Buy and Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice among many other prestigious honors including “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with HDTVs Less Than 50 Inches in a Tie” from J.D. Power 6 . For more information, please call 888-VIZIOCE or visit www.VIZIO.com .
1 DisplaySearch Market Tracker Quarterly Global TV Shipment and Forecast Report.
2 The NPD Group / Weekly Tracking Service, Large Size includes 60”+, Q2 2013 units sold.
3 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included.
4 The NPD Group / Retail Monthly Tracking Service, units sold, Q1 2013.
5 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, Q2 2013 LED TV units with Apps included.
6 J.D. Power 2013 High Definition Television (HDTV) Satisfaction ReportSM.
Press Contacts for VIZIO:
Katie Kotarak
The Brand AMP
T: 949-579-0405’562-719-2146
E: katie@thebrandamp.com
Jim Noyd
Noyd Communications Inc.
T: 310-951-3768
E: jim.noyd@noydcom.com
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