Smart speakers are something we expect to see a whole lot of at this year’s CES 2019, and the House of Marley isn’t disappointing us with its effort to get things moving.
Among the multiple new products the company has announced at the Consumer Electronics Show, one of the coolest is a portable Bluetooth speaker that runs Google Assistant. All packaged up in a natural bamboo and organic materials package, just as nature intended!
The eco-friendly Marley is the first Forest Stewardship Council certified electronics company in the U.S., meaning that everything it makes is designed to promote responsible management of the world’s forests.
In the case of the “Get Together Mini,” that means that it’s manufactured from sustainable materials — including bamboo, recyclable aluminum, and fabric composed of organic cotton, organic hemp and recycled plastics rPET. The results look pleasingly rustic, which makes a change from the more industrial smart speakers on the market.
While, as an Apple website, we should perhaps focus on Siri front and center, I’ve always found Google Assistant to be a much more capable AI helper. For my money, it also leads Amazon’s Alexa, although perhaps by a slightly smaller margin.
The Get Together Mini offers all the features you’d expect from a Google Home smart speaker, while Google Cast integration allows for multi-room playback across supported Chromecast speakers.
Wait, there’s more…
In addition, Marley is introducing an upgraded “Stir It Up Wireless” Bluetooth turntable, wireless headphones and earbuds, and more. All products (which you can check out here) carry the same eco-friendly credentials and design language.
“This year we are taking our signature eco-conscious and recyclable materials and incorporating them into a number of brand firsts, from smart speaker technology and true wireless earbuds to our new flagship over-ear performance headphones,” said The House of Marley Director of Product Development, Josh Poulsen, in a statement. “As we look ahead, we are going to be offering even more convenient connectivity for the way we listen to music. We are excited to be bringing a new feeling of innovation to the market through our sustainable materials and craftsmanship in a way that continues to redefine the CE audio space.”
The Get Together Mini speaker will be available in August 2019, priced at $199.99. Other devices range from March through September.
