LG has appointed will.i.am as its newest “Experiential Architect,” and the Black Eyed Peas frontman is set to unveil a new line of Xboom products at CES 2025. This revamped collection will feature wireless earbuds and Bluetooth speakers, now branded as “xboom by will.i.am.”
According to LG, their collaboration with will.i.am aims to redefine the xboom brand by infusing it with a cultural edge and an urban vibe, ultimately offering consumers a fresh audio experience.
This new auditory journey will include features designed by will.i.am, such as “rich bass accompanied by a balanced, warm tone.” LG indicates there will be two distinct listening modes: one that energizes with powerful bass and another that offers a more calming and harmonious sound.
The design will also feature user-friendly straps and dynamic lighting that syncs with the music. However, a standout element is will.i.am’s integration of his innovative Raidio.fyi (stylized as RAiDiO.FYI), an AI-driven interactive audio platform included in his FYI AI messaging app. Through Raidio.fyi, users can interact with an AI music curator to generate real-time playlists, and they can pause or ask questions at any moment, such as, “Who is the artist currently playing?” or even practical inquiries like, “What’s the weather like in LA?”
Will.i.am has a rich history in the tech industry, although not every venture has been successful.
In 2012, he launched an unconventional and costly iPhone case called foto.sosho, which combined a slide-out QWERTY keyboard with a 14-megapixel camera. Two years later, just before the release of the Apple Watch, he introduced the i.amPULS, a wrist-worn computer that faced significant backlash, with one critic dubbing it the worst product they’d ever reviewed.
On a brighter note, audio products appear to be a more suitable domain for him. In 2018, will.i.am’s company I.am+ acquired the early wireless earbud innovation firm Earin, leading to the launch of the I.am+ Buttons, which Digital Trends’ Andy Boxall praised as some of the most comfortable earbuds available.
Next year will reveal whether xboom by will.i.am can maintain this positive trajectory.
LG has previously released several Xboom audio products, including the Xboom XL7 party speaker, Xboom 360 portable speaker, and the Xboom ThinQ WK9 smart display.
