Bang & Olufsen adds Google Assistant to its expensive Beosound speakers

Bang & Olufsen is making its Beosound 1 and BeoSound 2 speakers a bit smarter this fall. The company will release new versions featuring Google Assistant in September, which is a nice upgrade for speakers that start at $1,750.

Initially released in 2016, the Beosound 1 and 2 have a distinct tapering, cylindrical design and already support a number of wireless streaming options including Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect. The Beosound 1 is designed to be portable and features a built-in rechargeable battery, while the Beosound 2 is heftier and needs to be plugged in but produces a lush sound, as my colleague Vlad Savov noted in his review.

At $1,750 and $2,250 for the Beosound 1 and Beosound 2, respectively, these aren’t the cheap smart speaker options many have become accustomed to, but if you’re looking for a high-quality speaker that can also control your smart home, Bang & Olufsen may have what you’re looking for.

The company says the updated speakers will be available in Bang & Olufsen stores in mid-September in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland, India, Italy, Japan, and Mexico.