Nokia loves to tack on interesting tech accessories whenever it launches a new Lumia smartphone. It has introduced the Treasure Tag key finder, wireless charging pucks and now, a bite-sized wireless speaker.
Former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop showed off the MD-12 speaker like a proud papa at the same event where the new Lumia 930 smartphone debuted. Elop couldn't seem to contain his enthusiasm as he introduced the tiny, brightly colored speaker.
The MD-12 is a wireless speaker, which can connect to any smartphone via NFC or Bluetooth. If your smartphone has NFC, all you have to do is tap your phone lightly against the speaker to connect the two. Nokia is marketing the mini speaker as the ideal accompaniment to your Lumia smartphone. You can use it as a speaker and microphone combo for when you are conference calling or just want to have your hands free. Of course, you can also use it for music, which is what most people will probably buy it for.
The speaker also has a 3.5-millimeter jack, so if you don't want to be subject to the capricious whims of NFC or Bluetooth, you can connect your smartphone, tablet or MP3 player directly to the speaker. The MD-12 charges via micro USB, but Nokia says that the speaker has a battery life of 15 hours, so you shouldn't have to plug it in too often. It also weighs just 180 grams, so it's super portable.
Nokia gave the MD-12 an attenuator, which amplifies the bass and should make for a good time. In initial tests, early reviewers said that it seems to have decent audio quality and projects pretty well in a press lounge filled with frantic journalists (and believe me, those rooms are LOUD).
The MD-12 comes in green, white, orange and yellow. It has a very simple design, a rubbery gripping texture on the bottom so that it doesn't slide around and features just one button on the front near the Nokia branding. It will cost just $55 when it arrives on the market in the United States and Europe this June.
