Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Look ma, no hands! Siri and Google Now come to the UE Boom 2 and UE Megaboom

By Kris Wouk Published June 28, 2016

Normally, using your phone or tablet to control playback on a Bluetooth speaker is no big deal, but there are situations where that is less than ideal. If you’re at the beach, for example, you might not want to risk bringing your phone near the water, even though the speaker you’re using is waterproof. In a case like that, users might want more detailed control over playback than simply skipping forward or backward through a playlist.

Fortunately, Ultimate Ears is introducing a solution to that very problem with two of its most popular speakers, the UE Boom 2 and UE Megaboom. On Tuesday, the company announced that both speakers are receiving an update that adds voice integration for both Siri and Google Now, offering users much more control over playback.

Recommended Videos

“Music lovers can now truly stay in the moment, playing their favorite song from the middle of the pool or even while diving off a cliff with their UE speaker in hand,” Ultimate Ears general manager Charlotte Johs said in a statement. “No matter how wet, muddy or wild the situation, with Siri and Google Now voice integration on UE Boom 2 and UE Megaboom, fans no longer need to pick up their phone to play DJ. Now, they can just say it to play it.”

With this update, users can simply tap the Bluetooth button on either speaker and Siri or Google Now take over from there. It isn’t quite as seamless as the voice control with something like the Amazon Echo, but it’s still a handy feature for anyone owns a UE Boom 2 or UE Megaboom. The new feature requires a firmware update, as well as an updated version of the mobile app for each respective speaker.

The UE Boom 2 debuted in September 2015 and retails for $200, while the UE Megaboom was released in January 2015 and sells for $300. Both speakers are IPX7-certified waterproof and offer 360-degree sound. In our review of the UE Megaboom, we praised the bass response, battery life, and feature set, but found the sound didn’t quite live up to some of the more premium Bluetooth speakers we’be seen.

Both the firmware update and the updated versions of the app for iOS and Android are available beginning today. For more information, see the Ultimate Ears website.

Updated by Kristofer Wouk on 06-28-2016: Edited to correct retail pricing of the UE Megaboom and UE Boom 2

Former Contributor

Kris Wouk is a tech writer, gadget reviewer, blogger, and whatever it's called when someone makes videos for the web. In his…

Topics

Music

The best music streaming services of 2025

Spotify on an Android device.

Who could have ever imagined that one day we would be able to access the entire discographies of our favorite artists and albums right from our smartphones or tablets, no matter where we are in the world? This remarkable convenience is one of the many wonders of music streaming services, a revolution that has transformed the way we experience and enjoy music.

In today's digital age, numerous audio platforms have emerged, each offering unique features and catering to different tastes. Whether it's Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, or any of the myriad other options available, these services aim to deliver your beloved tracks, intriguing podcasts, hilarious comedy specials, and countless other sound bites directly to your ears with just a few taps on your screen.

Music

Save on Avid Pro Tools music production software and start creating magic

Pro Tools end of year sale.

Typically, when you create music, whether a full-fledged track, background music for another project, or even just playing around, you have to use a variety of tools. You might have to jump between applications to do various things, like recording, applying post-production effects, and more. Avid Pro Tools is a comprehensive end-to-end audio production suite that aims to provide you with everything you need. With the tools, you can create, edit, produce, mix, master, and deliver, and much more.

Here's the kicker: For New Year's you can save 33% off and make music for a full year at a heavily discounted price. Normally, you'd pay $99 per year for Avid Pro Tools Artist, but right now it's only $66 per year. That deal will only be available from December 31 to January 3, though, so there isn't a lot of time if you want to take advantage.

Phones

Spotify vs. Pandora: which streaming service should you choose?

spotify vs pandora on iphone

Let's settle a musical debate: which music streaming platform should you use: Spotify or Pandora?

Both services have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Spotify boasts a more extensive music catalog, robust social features for sharing and discovering music with friends, and a more polished user experience across devices.