For months we’ve been wondering aloud how Sonos would respond to Apple’s September AirPlay announcement. In the end, Apple’s promise to “stream music throughout the entire house” steps all the way through Sonos’ reason to exist. Would Sonos start building its systems with BridgeCo chips ? Because it seems: no. Instead, Sonos is deciding upon a slightly ingenious solution, at a price of $99. Instead of licensing BridgeCo technology at additional expense atop Sonos’ already costly components, the corporate has instead devised an approach that links Apple’s own AirPlay-compliant AirPort Express into Sonos’ proprietary wireless mesh network. The answer (illustrated after the break) works by first shutting off the WiFi at the AirPort Express base station after which stringing a cable between its audio-out and the road-in jack on any Sonos ZonePlayer , including the S5 all-in-one speaker . Then you definitely run an ethernet patch cable between the 2 and also you’ve just enabled your iOS devices to play AirPlay audio to any (or all) Sonos device in the house from any compatible AirPlay app. Naturally, the Sonos solution would not integrate with AirPlay speakers like those from iHome, JBL, B&W, Klipsch, or Philips and the AirPlay audio won’t be synced with video; nonetheless it’s a start. The recent functionality requires a software update on your system within the kind of Sonos System Software version 3.4 — available now — which also adds iOS multitasking amongst just a few other goodies.
Today also marks the official release of the free Sonos Controller for Android app within the Android Market making it a superb day to be a Sonos owner.
Sonos Gives Android Fans Amazing Sound, Unlimited Music and
Incredible Wireless Control in Every Room of the Home
SANTA BARBARA, CA – April 19, 2011 – Sonos, the leading developer of wireless multi-room music systems for the house, today announced that the Sonos Controller for Android™ is now available for download as a free app on Android Market™. Sonos Controller for Android transforms most Android™ smartphones right into a wireless music controller for the award-winning Sonos Multi-Room Music System. To peer a video of the way you should use an Android smartphone to manipulate music all around the home with Sonos, please visit www.sonos.com/android.
“We’re pleased to deliver a good new way for music lovers to tap into all of the music on the planet,” said John MacFarlane, founder and CEO, Sonos, Inc. “Now Android owners can pull out their phones and produce music home with Sonos.”
With the award-winning Sonos S5 in any room and an Android smartphone in hand, music fans can now enjoy an unmatched wireless music experience in the house. Access and play your complete music on the earth-from the net and your own music library-during the home, wirelessly. Play an identical song in every room of the home – perfectly synchronized. Or mix it up and play different songs in numerous rooms. Use the free Sonos Controller for Android to manipulate your entire music and rooms, all from the palm of your hand.
Seek for songs and stations by typing or speaking, due to the recent Sonos music voice search feature. Also, turn the hard buttons to your Android smartphone into volume control. And since your Android phone is controlling the music–not the source of it–when a text is available in otherwise you intend to make a phone call, the music doesn’t stop.
The Sonos Controller for Android works on any Android smartphone running Android 2.1+ with a screen size of HVGA 320 x 480, WVGA 480 x 800 or WVGA 480 x 854. Sonos Controller for Android joins the family of Sonos Controllers inclusive of free apps for iPhone and iPad, a dedicated touchscreen controller, the Sonos Controller 200, and free software on your Mac or PC, that is included with every ZonePlayer. All controllers interact seamlessly.
Along side today’s Sonos Controller for Android availability, Sonos has released Sonos System Software v3.4 which features support for Apple AirPlay music sources, iOS multi-tasking and more. For more details, see additional press release or visit http://sonos.com/support/software_update.aspx
For prime resolution photography and extra media information, please visit http://pr.sonos.com. For additional info about Sonos or to find a certified Sonos dealer on your area, please visit www.sonos.com or call 877.80.SONOS.
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