Neil Young has listed music on cell phones as one of the biggest villains against audio quality today, but he may have to adjust his statements as Marshall Amplification, perhaps the most iconic maker of guitar amps in history, has announced the launch of a new Android phone model. The Marshall London (named, no doubt, for the company's hometown) is aimed specifically at music fans in search of a new phone.
The official announcement was meant for the afternoon of July 16, but a tweet bearing the details was leaked in the morning and several tech sites snapped up the information before it was taken down.
Everything about this phone is designed with music in mind. First there's the obvious hardware: a pair of front-facing speakers for out-loud listening, plus a dual headphone jacks for easy sharing. Musicians themselves will also be pleased, as the London features dual microphones for better recording quality (those looking for more specific tech specs will need to wait for the official announcement...they weren't included on the tweet that leaked).
The software also benefits music lovers. Custom apps will help players record music more easily, while another app will combine music sources such as streaming services and personal music libraries for better accessibility.
In terms of pure aesthetics, the phone goes as rock 'n' roll as possible with a faux-leather finish. The signature touch is the use of a gold scroll wheel to control the volume, similar to the traditional look of Marshall's amplifiers.
Don't get too excited too quickly however...this isn't likely going to be an option when you're due for an upgrade. The Marshall London will cost $590 when it hits shelves.
This isn't the company's first jump into audio outside of amplifiers. Marshall has released home speakers and headphones for years now.
