Assisted Listening

The new breed of Wi-fi-connected multiroom speakers are more versatile and rugged than ever. Take JBL’S Link 20 ($199), for example, which can be toted outdoors and switched over to Bluetooth streaming when Wi-fi is out of range. Since JBL’S speaker is IPX7 rated, it can even withstand an accidental dip in the pool without getting damaged. The Link 20 uses Chromecast built-in to stream over Wi-fi and its lithium-ion battery lets it play for 10 hours before needing a recharge. The main thing that differentiates the Link 20 from other multiroom speakers, however, is its Google Assistant feature. Curious about tomorrow’s weather or need to order an Uber? Preface your question or command with “Hey Google,” and the speaker will respond. Google Assistant also works with music services, letting you stream tracks, albums, and playlists directly via voice command from Google Play Music, Youtube Music, Pandora, and Spotify. jbl.com