Wednesday Wrap: Braven Bluetooth speaker, Tidal on HEOS and Sky NOW TV

We start with Denon, and the news that it has announced that lossless quality music streaming service Tidal is now available on its HEOS multi-room speaker system.

Users can access the higher quality service through the HEOS app for iOS and Android.

The HEOS range is made up of four speakers - HEOS 1, 3, 5 and 7 - as well as the HEOS Link and HEOS Amp. As with other multi-room systems, different songs can be played on different speakers, or all can play the same music simultaneously.

Don Freeman, Denon’s vice president of marketing, says: “This is a perfect partnership because we both cater to music listeners who appreciate and understand the quality of music - it is a top priority."

"Tidal’s high-fidelity tracks stream effortlessly through our amazing HEOS products providing listeners with the experience they deserve."

MORE: Denon adds portable HEOS 1 to multi-room speaker range

Bluetooth speaker to Braven the elements

Braven has introduced the “world’s first modular ultra-rugged Bluetooth speaker”, in the form of the BRV-PRO.

It features an IPX7-rated waterproof body, which is made from aircraft-grade aluminium. The built-in 2200mAh rechargeable battery is said to offer up to 15 hours of playback time. The BRV-PRO can also double up as a battery pack for mobile devices, and an optional solar charging panel will keep the speaker powered when the sun’s out.

There are four accessories available for the BRV-PRO: these include the solar panel (£40), a 3800mAh battery pack (£40) for extra power, a GoPro-compatible action mount (£13) and a Glow Deck (£25) - an LED panel that can be used to light up a tent or campsite.

The Braven BRV-PRO and optional accessories are available now. The speaker itself costs £130.

MORE: Best Bluetooth speakers 2015

Sky confirms new NOW TV box

Sky has confirmed that a faster new NOW TV box will be arriving in the UK in August. The new box has a processor that Sky claims is five times faster than before and an ethernet port for a more stable wired connection to your network.

The box will also be compatible with the new Sky Sports Month Pass which was launched in July. The new Pass option costs £32 and gives unlimited access to all of Sky’s sports channels.

The announcement was made within the company’s year-end financial results, with the firm reporting subscriptions up to 12 million customers and total downloads and streams in excess of 2.4 billion in 2015.

MORE: Sky announces NOW TV upgrade plans

MORE: Sky NOW TV review

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.