The new Nokia Play 360 omnidirectional wireless speaker was announced today, an NFC-enabled accessory for the also-announced-today Nokia N9 smartphone.
NFC-enabled? Yes, simply tap the Nokia N9 to the letters NFC atop the Nokia Play 360 and the speakers and N9 are paired. In addition the Play 360 is a Bluetooth device, so will pair with other Bluetooth-enabled smartphones, MP3 players, etc., or stream music from a notebook computer. Finally, you could kick it old-school and plug devices into the 3.5 mm speaker jack.
The Nokia Play 360’s internal battery provides around about 20 hours of play time. Recharging is via micro USB. Or you could simply use mains power to play the speaker. The speaker components are housed within an aluminium case, and measures 110 x 110 x 124 mm. If you’re colour matching with your phone, the Nokia Play 360 is available in silver, blue and black (pictured below).
Pairing is not limited to one Play 360. Up to two can be paired at one time, giving you a left and right channel. And if a phone call comes in while the speakers are playing music, or podcasts, the Nokia Play 360 will mute while the phone call is taken.
All of this is powered by the Nokia BL-5C battery, which is rechargeable, and unlike some devices these days the battery can be replaced.
Video: Nokia Play 360 – inspiration, design and main features
In this video, Markus Ahonen, Nokia’s Head of Entertainment Accessories, runs over the inspiration, design and main features of the Play 360.
Play 360 promo video
Nokia Play 360 price and release date
The Play 360 expected to go on sale in the third quarter of 2011.
No Australian prices were announced, but as a guide, Nokia mentioned the European price of the Nokia Play 360 is expected to be around 150 Euros.