Jabra's Solemate portable Bluetooth speaker not only sounds good, but its rugged exterior makes it perfect for use outdoors at the beach or while camping. Jabra says its Solemate Bluetooth speaker is a go-anywhere, do-anything portable speaker that’s built to withstand the rigors of the outdoors. The Solemate gets part of its name (sole) from its thick rubber base, which is formed to look like the sole of a shoe. The rubber offers protection from dings and scratches, and it is washable. The entire speaker is covered with high-quality metal grills, and the plastic top- and side-edges stick out just slightly to protect it from drops. In my tests, the Jabra Solemate produced music playback that is surprisingly pleasant, with reasonably deep base that’s impressive for its size. It is also plenty loud, and it should be suitable for a small gathering of friends at a barbeque or picnic. An embedded omnidirectional microphone also lets the Solemate work as a speakerphone during video chats using apps such as Skype or Google Talk. The Jabra Solemate comes with a “sound bag” that offers outdoor protection from sand and rain. The drawstring pouch weighs practically nothing, and it has no discernible effect on music when wrapped around the portable speaker. Bluetooth and battery-icon lights A 3.5mm audio cable embedded in the Solemate’s base The controls and indicators along the side are well placed, as is the volume control on the top. When connected to my iPhone, a battery bar on my phone’s screen showed me the charge level of the speaker. The internal batteries offer up to 8 hours of continuous play, according to Jabra, and you power the gadget up using a micro-USB charger. One complaint: The audio/voice prompts when switching the speaker on/off or when pairing it are too loud, and you cannot adjust them. Conclusion: Jabra Solemate Priced at $200, the Jabra Solemate is pitted squarely against the popular Jawbone Jambox. It compares well on the music playback front, and its more rugged exterior, clever embedded storage for the 3.5mm audio cable and sound bag give it a slight advantage. The Solemate is available in black and white. Related content Opinion Knomo Kobe Laptop Messenger Bag is Stylish, Sleek and Soft The full-grain leather Knomo Kobe messenger bag is stylish, functional and surprisingly comfortable to carry, according to blogger Paul Mah. By Paul Mah Feb 20, 2013 2 mins Laptops Tablets Opinion Pricey Logitech UE 900 Earphones Deliver Superb Sound Logitech's UE 900 earphones offer superb sound, but their $400 price tag is sure to be a turnoff for many potential buyers. By Paul Mah Jan 04, 2013 2 mins Computers and Peripherals Opinion HyperJuice 2 Boosts MacBook, iPad Battery Life The HyperJuice 2 external battery is a must-have for MacBook- and iPad-toting road warriors, according to blogger Paul Mah, and it will also recharge many other USB devices. By Paul Mah Jan 04, 2013 2 mins Computers and Peripherals Opinion Matrox DS1 is First Thunderbolt-Compatible Mac OS X Dock The Matrox DS1 is the first docking station for the Mac platform that's compatible with Apple's Thunderbolt port, and it's both functional and reasonably priced, according to blogger Paul Mah. By Paul Mah Jan 03, 2013 3 mins Computers and Peripherals Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe