New JBL® Speakers Bring Wireless Streaming and Charging to New Nokia® Lumia Windows® Phone 8

JBL PowerUp and JBL PlayUp wirelessly connect to new Nokia Lumia 920 and Nokia Lumia 820 via NFC chip; PowerUp features Qi wireless charging so Lumia owners just drop phone on dock to play or charge

For more information: JBL.com

Harman JBL Nokia PowerUp with phone (Photo: Business Wire)

STAMFORD, Conn.--()--HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, announces two JBL® speakers featuring NFC (near-field communication) chips, high-quality Bluetooth® streaming and full-range drivers so owners of new Nokia® Lumia smartphones powered by Windows® Phone 8 can enjoy vibrant audio playback from Internet music channels or a personal music collection through these powerful, compact speakers. The JBL PowerUp wireless charging speaker for Nokia wirelessly charges any Qi-compatible device – including the new Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones – while streaming audio via Bluetooth technology. Simply place the Lumia 920 or the Lumia 820 with wireless charging shell atop the speaker, and rock out while you power up.

The PowerUp and PlayUp include integrated NFC chips so users with NFC-compatible smartphones, tablets or music players can stream audio content simply by tapping the gadget on the speakers. No complicated setup or menus are needed. Both speakers are optimized with aptX® audio so Bluetooth streaming is robust and clear, and stereo mini-jacks are included so any device with a 3.5mm connector – including laptops, desktop PCs and MP3 players – can enjoy the crisp sound from either speaker.

“These JBL speakers were designed for Nokia’s on-the-go music lover who wants a quality wireless audio performance without sacrificing convenience,” said Sachin Lawande, executive vice president of HARMAN and co-president of HARMAN Lifestyle and Infotainment. “The JBL PowerUp uses the latest in wireless technologies such as near-field communications to create an ultra-convenient yet high-performance speaker – just drop your phone on the speaker to charge and play. Music fans will hear the truth and appreciate the quality audio experience they expect from JBL.”

Details of each speaker:

The JBL PowerUp wireless charging speaker for Nokia features a proximity sensor that illuminates the controls when it detects an NFC-compatible device nearby, and an LED light outlines the Qi-compatible wireless charging surface for proper phone placement; the light pulsates to indicate when the phone is charging. The PowerUp features two full-range drivers that provide deep, accurate bass and 65Hz – 20kHz frequency response. A Bluetooth pairing button and LED indicator allow for easy control and connection status. The PowerUp will be offered in cyan, black and white.

The JBL PlayUp portable wireless speaker for Nokia is an ultra-portable, acoustically sophisticated speaker that delivers a 360-degree soundstage featuring three drivers. The PlayUp delivers deep, accurate bass with an impressive frequency range of 85Hz – 22kHz. The PlayUp has a rechargeable battery life of 10 hours, allowing users to take the speaker with them anywhere – the beach, a party or the office – without the need to charge. The speaker features Bluetooth wireless connectivity and includes an NFC chip, so it starts to play when a new Lumia phone or other NFC-enabled device is nearby. The JBL PlayUp is available in cyan, white, black and yellow. It features a replaceable battery, and its accessories include a carrying pouch, a micro USB charger and a 3.5mm audio cable.

Pricing and availability

The JBL PlayUp has a suggested retail price of $149, and the JBL PowerUp has a suggested retail price of $299. Both models will be available through select retailers later this year. For additional information, visit JBL.com.

About HARMAN

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the 12 months ended June 30, 2012. The company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NYSE: HAR.

© 2012 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson are trademarks of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. AKG is a trademark of AKG Acoustics GmbH, registered in the United States and/or other countries. aptX is a registered trademark of CSR plc. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, is under license. Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50399308&lang=en

Contacts

HARMAN International
Christopher M. Dragon, 203-328-4203
chris.dragon@HARMAN.com
or
Burson-Marsteller
Alexandria Denti, 212-614-4167
Mobile: 646-301-2197
Alexandria.Denti@bm.com

Contacts

HARMAN International
Christopher M. Dragon, 203-328-4203
chris.dragon@HARMAN.com
or
Burson-Marsteller
Alexandria Denti, 212-614-4167
Mobile: 646-301-2197
Alexandria.Denti@bm.com