Bose SoundLink Bluetooth speakers are among the most popular -- if not, the most popular -- wireless speakers in terms of sales. Now the company has unveiled the Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III ($299.95), which is similar in size to the previous two generations of the speaker but changes its design, improves its battery life, and, according to Bose, plays louder and sounds better.

The SoundLink III weighs in at 3 pounds and measures about 5 inches high, 10 inches wide, and 2 inches deep. The original SoundLink Mobile Speaker, which came out in 2011, and SoundLink Mobile Speaker II, both offered around 8 hours of battery life. The new model ups that number to 14 hours.

Earlier models had a built-in cover that converted into a stand. However, the SoundLink III does away with the integrated cover and as with the SoundLink Mini, you can purchase an optional accessory cover for $34.95 in various colors. In other words, if you want some added protection, it'll cost you.

As noted, Bose says the new speaker sounds better than its predecessors. The speaker is equipped with four neodymium transducers and dual-opposing passive radiators that "combine with a new digital signal processing algorithm and improved electronics to play louder than its predecessor, while maintaining balanced and natural sound at higher listening levels."

I haven't played around with the SoundLink III yet, but we should be getting a review sample soon since Bose has already started shipping the product. If indeed it sounds better than previous models, it should be one of our top picks in the portable Bluetooth speaker category, even at its elevated price tag of $299.95.