We will no longer see this B&O audio brand logo on HP products in the near future.
B&O, or Bang & Olufsen, is a renowned audio brand from Denmark. HP users are likely quite familiar with B&O, as this audio brand has been integrated into HP’s premium laptop lines since 2015.
However, at the HP Amplify Partner 2024 conference currently taking place in Las Vegas (USA), HP introduced a series of new products and solutions under the name Poly Studio, which is HP’s “in-house” audio brand.
Poly was founded in 1961, originally named Plantronics. Later, the brand acquired Polycom in 2019 and officially changed its name to Poly. In 2022, HP took over the brand and continued to develop audio-related products and solutions such as headsets, speakers, microphones, and video conferencing systems.
Ms. Jennifer Adams, Senior Director of HP’s hybrid systems division, stated that some HP laptop models have already integrated Poly Studio products, and in the future, this will be applied to all models.
When asked why B&O would stop being used on HP laptops, Ms. Jennifer explained that B&O is primarily known for its “listening” capabilities, while Poly Studio focuses on “communication.” “This means we want users to be able to communicate as authentically and effectively as possible through Poly Studio, whether in video calls or conferences, with optimal support from AI along with Poly’s hardware and software systems.”
When asked about Poly’s ability to provide entertainment such as watching movies or listening to music, Ms. Jennifer pointed out that B&O’s quality has long been recognized. However, the reality is that B&O only participated in the “software tuning” process for HP laptops, meaning HP sent products to B&O for testing and adjustment to meet required quality standards.
Now, with the emergence of Poly, a company with extensive experience in manufacturing audio equipment, HP is confident in using its in-house products. This shows that HP can handle both hardware and software without relying on third parties.
Ending the partnership with B&O and completely replacing it with Poly Studio may be a sign that HP is moving towards greater autonomy in its production and testing processes. At the same time, this also helps minimize costs in the context of a challenging global economy, which requires further optimization of resources.
The HP Amplify Partner 2024 conference in Las Vegas, USA, is still ongoing, bringing together technology industry leaders to learn about the potential future of the field. Let’s wait and see what new solutions HP will introduce to businesses and consumers.
According to GenK
