Audio Video News

Looking ahead to warmer days, a startup called Lemon will preview a compact Bluetooth speaker at CES that is not only solar-powered but resistant to water, shock, and temperature extremes.

The California Roll is designed to be held in one hand and has a lithium-polymer battery and 33 mini solar panels, which are said to provide up to 20 hours of play time after 7 hours of exposure to sunlight. An AC adapter is also provided for conventional charging, which is said to take 4.5 hours.

Company founder Vincent Dupontreué said his goal was to create a fun speaker that is “green and sustainable.”

The speaker is IPX7-rated, meaning it can be submersed in up to 3-feet of water, and is able to withstand temperatures from 0 to 175 degrees. Other features include aptX/Bluetooth 4.1 processing (with NFC connectivity) for improved sound quality, voice recognition for sending text messages, speakerphone functionality, a USB power bank for charging electronic devices, minijack auxiliary and micro USB inputs, and a multi-connection “DJ mode” that allows up to three smart devices to stream and control music playback; music automatically pauses when the speaker switches from one device to another.

Rubberized waterproof controls are located on one end of the speaker and connections on the other; the connectors are protected by a removable “D-Ring” with a rubber seal.

Slated for delivery in March, the Kickstarter-funded speaker can be preordered now at 20 percent off its $249 list price and is available in black, blue, red, silver or white with a cloth or metal grille.

For more information, visit lemon-california.com.