Hi,

I recently bought a Besound Level, and I love it. :-)

I chose the version with Google Voice Assistant, not because I actually want to use it, but because I thought I might maybe want to use it in the future. I thought I'd just not activate the GVA, and I could use it without Google, just like I did with other smart speakers before.

Unfortunately, I then found out that it's not possible to pair Bluetooth devices if the Google stuff hasn't been set up. What? I would never have expected that. And, honestly, for privacy reasons I'd rather not activate the Google stuff if I don't plan to use it, anyway.

I asked support if pairing BT devices would be possible without Google in future firmware versions, but they didn't know. (I can wait, I'm using Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2 at home, Bluetooth will only be relevant on vacations and maybe parties, but both won't happen within the next few months, obviously.)

I also asked if flashing a different firmware would make it possible to turn the GVA version into a non GVA version, and I was told no, that will not be possible. Which makes me wonder if there are actually hardware differences between the two versions?

So now I'm wondering if I should return my GVA Level and order a non GVA Level instead, but the non GVA version is not available yet, so it would take some time until I'd proud owner of a Level again.

But also, I'd like to know what the differences actually are. Are there any insiders here who can tell me more than the nothing that is available on the Bang&Olufsen web site? :-)

Especially, I'd like to know ...

• ... if there are actually hardware differences, or if it's just licensing, or Bang&Olufsen doesn't want customers to flash a firmware manually or something like that?
• ... if, apart from GVA itself, there will be stuff one of the versions can do that the other can't?
• ... if, after Google setup has been performed, the GVA Level will send information to Google even if I don't use GVA? (Like information about other devices in my home network, or simply logging in to Google whenever switched on etc.)
• ... anything else you might know. :-)

Thanks, zottel