What if you could talk to your Wi-Fi router, and play music on it too? You just might with Asus India announcing the launch of Lyra Voice, an all-in-one home network solution featuring an integrated 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) Triband Wi-Fi router, Amazon Alexa and Bluetooth stereo speakers
Lyra Voice integrates Amazon Alexa, enabling users to enjoy voice service, such as asking questions, listening to the news and traffic information, playing music and controlling smart-home devices, without the need for a separate smart speaker. “Integrating Alexa in Lyra Voice also eliminates connection issues between traditional Wi-Fi routers and separate smart speakers, while keeping surfaces free from the clutter of multiple devices,” Asus said in a statement.
Lyra Voice features a pair of microphones with 360-degree, far-field voice detection to easily pick-up commands and questions for Alexa, even when spoken at low volume or from across the room. Additionally, a Synaptics audio chip provides enhanced noise cancellation and background-noise filtering to ensure Lyra Voice can always hear users' voices, even when music is playing at high volume.
Lyra Voice also features two built-in stereo speakers with passive radiators and bass reflex ports to extend resonance of low-frequency sound. With Lyra Voice, Asus claims that users can play music from their favorite streaming service or stream audio from their smart device via Bluetooth.
Lyra Voice supports operation in three types of WiFi modes: as an AiMesh router or node, as a stand-alone router and as a universal WiFi repeater.
As an AiMesh node, Lyra Voice extends a current AiMesh WiFi network, so users can place it anywhere they need additional stable WiFi coverage and a smart speaker, such as in the kitchen or family room. When used as an AiMesh node, Lyra Voice inherits all of the current settings and powerful features available on the primary AiMesh router, such as Game Boost and screen-time management tools.
As a smart-home hub, Asus says that Lyra Voice provides fast and stable WiFi to all connected smart devices. As a WiFi repeater, Lyra Voice lets users extend their current WiFi network to eliminate WiFi dead zones and provide better WiFi coverage within the home
The device also incorporates AiProtection Pro, commercial-grade security for home networks. Powered by Trend Micro™, AiProtection Pro keeps every connected smart device on the network, including IoT devices, safe from Internet threats. It also comes with free updates for the life of the product to ensure protection stays current and effective.
Lyra Voice also comes with parental controls that let parents keep a watchful eye on how much time children are spending online and set time limits and schedules. Parents can also block specific categories of mobile apps and websites and then apply them to all devices belonging to a particular family member, while allowing free access to the rest of the internet.
“At ROG, gaming has been our forte for over 12 years. With technology constantly evolving, we try to map intricate details that will give every PC gamer the edge while using our products. Lyra voice is yet another example of this technological evolution that will become a part of ASUS’s smart home portfolio alongside AI and Robotics. 2019 will see many such launches in India thus reinforcing our position as an industry leader in the Gaming and Lifestyle segment,” said Vinay Shetty, Regional Director – Components Business – India & South Asia.
Lyra Voice is priced at Rs 24990 and will be available online on Amazon.in and in offline stores.
In the gaming segment, Asus also announced the launch of the Rapture GT-AC2900 router priced at Rs 23900, which is an 802.11ac Wi-Fi gaming router designed to meet the distinct needs of PC, console and mobile gamers. ROG Rapture GT-AC2900 comes with multiple features, including triple-level game acceleration, that give PC gamers full control over their network, from their PC to the game server, to reduce ping times and deliver low-latency gameplay. It is also recommended by NVIDIA for use with GeForce NOW to provide the best cloud-gaming experience.
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It also announced the launch of ASUS VG278QR and VG258QR monitors, compatible with AMD’s FreeSync technology. Designed for intense, fast-paced games, the 27-inch VG278QR, 24.5-inch VG258QR gaming monitors feature Full HD resolution coupled with an ultrafast 0.5mm response time and blazing 165Hz refresh rate aimed to provide super-smooth gameplay. They also feature ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur (ELMB) technology to make objects in motion look even sharper, so gameplay is more fluid and responsive.
ASUS VG258QR and VG278QR all support gamer-centric features, such as ASUS GamePlus to enhance the in-game experience and GameVisual to provide various pre-set display modes that optimize visuals for different types of games.
The VG258QR is priced at Rs 26,500, while the VG278QR monitor is priced at Rs 31,500. They will be available on Amazon India, Flipkart, MD Computers and offline in the last week of July 2019.