Acer introduces a new product in its portfolio – the smart Halo speaker with Google Now. In addition to a number of features that can be activated and controlled by voice, it wants to attract potential customers with quality sound and a favourable price tag.
Halo promises to offer “high-quality sound spread in all directions, which can sound any room”. Future owners can look forward to various visual effects – part of it is actually that it has an LED display, the lower part of the speakers is transparent and it contains coloured lighting.
Acer Halo
Privacy-conscious users will certainly enjoy the fact that in addition to the screen and lights, the microphone can also be turned off using a mechanical switch. There are also touch buttons on the top of the unit to adjust the volume and pause / start playback.
RGB lighting is to some extent customizable – users will be able to either synchronize it with music or choose from thematic presets focused on the atmosphere or time of day. The LED display can display the clock and the current weather by default, but with the help of the application, it will be possible to adapt its content to your own requirements and needs.
Shrouded in mystery
The dimensions and weight of the speaker are not clear from the materials published so far – it can only be estimated that it will be as large as the Amazon Echo. Acer describes it as a compact speaker that “fits virtually anywhere”.
It’s also uncertain whether it will be possible to pair two speakers and enjoy stereo sound – given that most smart speakers can do it, but we assume it will work. The advantage is definitely the support of the sound standard Digital Theater System (DTS).
Overall, the Acer Halo looks like an interesting alternative in the crowded smart speaker segment. Sales are planned to start the first quarter of the next year with the recommended price being 109 US dollars, which is about £100 incl. VAT.
