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The JBL Link Bar is alive again, along with the new JBL Link Drive

The JBL Link Bar brings Android TV, Chromecast, and Google Assistant all in a soundbar. Also, the JBL Link Drive brings Assistant to your car.
By
January 7, 2019
TL;DR
  • JBL just announced the incoming availability of the JBL Link Bar and the JBL Link Drive.
  • The JBL Link Bar features Android TV, Chromecast, and Google Assistant in one sleek soundbar.
  • JBL Link Drive brings Google Assistant into your vehicle.

At CES 2019 in Las Vegas, JBL announced the upcoming launch of two Google Assistant-based products: the JBL Link Bar and the JBL Link Drive.

You might remember the JBL Link Bar from its debut at Google I/O back in May of 2018. The sleek-looking soundbar aims to do it all, with Android TV, Google Assistant, and Chromecast support all baked in.

JBL opened pre-orders for the Link Bar shortly after its reveal, but then… nothing. Eventually, the Link Bar disappeared from the JBL site entirely, leaving consumers wondering if they would ever be able to buy one.

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News

Now, JBL has announced that the Link Bar will hit JBL.com and select store shelves sometime this Spring. The device will retail for $400 on its own, and its companion subwoofer (to give you better bass response) will cost an additional $300.

While $700 sounds like a lot, having one high-end audio device do everything you need — from casting music, to streaming movies, to operating your smart home — is a pretty nifty thing.

In addition to the return of the JBL Link Bar, the company also announced the JBL Link Drive. The Link Drive is kind of a Google Home for your car by acting as a bridge between your phone and your car stereo. Simply plug the Link Drive into a cigarette lighter port, pair it with both your phone and your stereo, and then issue “OK Google” commands without needing to touch your phone.

The JBL Link Drive also features a 2.1A USB port for charging your device on the go. The Link Drive will also land sometime this Spring at a retail price of $60.

Check out our hands-on of the JBL Link Bar at the link below.

NEXT: Android TV and Google Assistant both built into the JBL Link Bar