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| The Motorola Moto Sound Flow speaker has ultra-wideband and Wi-Fi. |
For years, Motorola has been a reliable name for affordable audio gear, from its recent ROKR series—like the budget-friendly ROKR 300—to everyday earbuds. But with the new Moto Sound Flow, the company isn't just releasing another Bluetooth speaker; it's making a direct play for the premium portable market, positioning itself against established giants like Sonos.
Gone are the simple, cylindrical designs of old. The Moto Sound Flow presents a sophisticated, tall silhouette wrapped in what Motorola calls "refined twill-textured fabric," available in classic Pantone Carbon (black) and a modern Pantone Warm Taupe (brown). It sits on a sleek charging dock, with a flat top adorned by an LED ring and capacitive touch controls. It’s a design that feels at home on a bookshelf as much as by the pool, thanks to a robust IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
But the real story isn't just skin deep. Motorola has packed serious audio hardware under that fabric, including a 20W woofer, a 10W tweeter, and dual passive radiators, all tuned with Sound by Bose technology. This promises a rich, detailed sound profile that aims to compete with the best in its class.
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| The Moto Sound Flow has touch controls, an LED ring, and a USB-C port for charging. |
Where It Gets Smart: Wi-Fi, Casting, and Cutting-Edge UWB
While Bluetooth 5.0 is standard, the Sound Flow truly differentiates itself with Wi-Fi 5 connectivity. This unlocks direct streaming from services like Spotify and opens the door for high-quality wireless playback via Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. This immediately elevates it from a simple Bluetooth accessory to a more integrated home audio device.
The most intriguing innovation, however, is its Ultra-Wideband (UWB) integration. This isn't just a gimmick; it enables three clever, context-aware features:
- Proximity Sensing: Walk into the room with a UWB-equipped smartphone, and your ongoing phone call or music playlist automatically transfers to the speaker.
- Dynamic Stereo: In a multi-speaker setup, the system uses your smartphone's precise location to adjust the left/right stereo channels relative to where you're standing in the room.
- Room Shift: With multiple Sound Flow speakers, your audio seamlessly hops to the speaker nearest your UWB phone as you move through your home.
These features showcase a level of spatial intelligence previously unseen in Motorola's audio products and rival the seamless ecosystems of competitors.
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| The Moto Sound Flow in Pantone Carbon and Pantone Warm Taupe. |
Battery, App, and The Competitive Price Point
Powering this experience is a substantial 6,000mAh battery, rated for up to 12 hours of playtime. It charges via the included dock or a USB-C port on the back. A companion app for Android and iOS will provide control over settings, connections, and easy audio handoff from other devices.
Motorola has announced a European price of €199, which interestingly mirrors the launch price of its clear competitor, the Sonos Roam 2. For those shopping around, it's worth noting the Roam 2 is a formidable alternative, which you can check out on Amazon here.
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| The Moto Sound Flow's IP67 dust and water resistance rating means you can take it to the poolside or beach without worry. |
Final Thoughts
The Moto Sound Flow is a bold statement from Motorola. It’s more than just a speaker; it's a hub designed for a connected, multi-room audio future. By combining respectable Bose-tuned acoustics, multi-connectivity options, and genuinely innovative UWB features, Motorola isn't just catching up—it's attempting to leapfrog the competition. While its success will hinge on real-world sound performance and the reliability of its smart features, the Moto Sound Flow positions itself as one of the most intriguing and versatile portable speakers of the year. For anyone invested in the Motorola ecosystem or seeking a powerful, feature-rich alternative to Sonos, this is a launch to watch closely.
The Moto Sound Flow is expected to hit European markets soon. For the latest deals on portable speakers like the Sonos Roam 2, you can also find current offers at this link.