Ecko UNLTD’s ‘Spray’ Bluetooth Speaker Brings Aerosol Couture to Audio
Urban fashion label Ecko UNLTD hopes to make its entrée into the high-tech world in predictably flamboyant fashion, having announced plans for its new “Spray” Bluetooth speaker, modeled to resemble a can of spraypaint. Physically shaped like the graffiti artist’s medium of choice, the mobile accessory is meant for use as a portable boombox when paired with handheld gadgets including laptops, smartphones and Apple iOS devices.
Using a Bluetooth 2.1 connection, the Spray can connect with compatible devices up to 30 feet away, with a pair of 40mm, 3W drivers hidden behind a burnished metal grille eager to bring the noise. Powered by a replaceable rechargeable lithium ion battery that purportedly delivers 10 hours of high-volume sound, the curiously-molded case also hides a built-in microphone for pairing with smartphones, enabling hands-free calling. Likelier to enjoy use during impromptu tagging sessions though is a 3.5mm input for connecting digital music players, and movable dome you can twist to skip songs or control volume levels. Similarly cute or obnoxious, depending on one’s fondness for visual gimmicks, is the inclusion of a button disguised as the speaker’s nozzle, which activates play/pause and call answering functions.
Due for official unveiling at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, details on product pricing, availability and official retail ship date have yet to be revealed. Reflecting a growing trend of Bluetooth speakers which aim to make aesthetics as much a selling point as actual acoustic output, it’s anyone’s guess whether aerosol truly represents haute couture in 2012.