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Sonos' new controller apps now available for kicking out those jams

Daniel Cooper — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:29:00 EST

Remember those revamped Sonos apps the company teased last week? Now they can be yours whenever you choose to update the software on your OS X or Windows computer. As well as a refreshed user interface, you'll get unified search, drag-and-drop functionality and one-touch party mode -- although it turns out, that last one doesn't suddenly make a party appear in your house. Shame, that.

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Sonos' new controller apps now available for kicking out those jams originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos shows off upcoming Controller apps for Windows and Mac

Donald Melanson — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:27:00 EST

You unfortunately can't download them yet, but Sonos has now detailed just what folks can expect from its newly redesigned Sonos Controller apps for Mac and Windows. In addition to a completely revamped look, they'll offer an improved search box that promises to make it easier to find music across various services, as well as expanded drag-and-drop functionality, more accessible sleep timer and alarm settings, and an all new mini player -- not to mention a "one-touch Party Mode," which lets you adjust the volume in grouped rooms simultaneously. Head on past the break for a quick video, and look for the updates themselves to be available sometime next week.

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Sonos shows off upcoming Controller apps for Windows and Mac originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos software updates bring Android tablet support, Slacker and Spotify upgrades

Brian Heater — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:01:00 EST

Wireless music streaming kingpins Sonos rolled out a number of software updates tonight, including System Software 3.6, which brings added controls to Sonos Wireless HiFi, integration with Slacker and some improvements to the service's Spotify offerings. The newly revamped Sonos Controller for Android, meanwhile, offers up support for Android tablets running 2.2 or higher. More info after the jump.

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Sonos software updates bring Android tablet support, Slacker and Spotify upgrades originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 03:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos Play:3 review

Terrence O'Brien — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:14:00 EST

Sonos may not inspire the sort of high-end audio lust that a company like Polk can, but it doesn't draw the ire of serious audiophiles the way Bose does either. It straddles a fine line between respectability and gimmicky, and rightfully so -- Sonos isn't really an audio company in the purest sense of the term. Rather than loading up its components with vacuum tubes and gold-plated connectors, units like the recently launched Play:3 make their mark by incorporating wireless streaming -- a feature that's actually painless to setup. They're for people who have embraced the digital music revolution, but don't want to be stuck sitting in front of the computer or tethered to an iPod when the mood to groove strikes. The Play:3 also happens to be the first accelerometer-packing speaker we've ever tested that dynamically changes the EQ based on its orientation. As usual all the details -- from connecting and controlling the player to whether or not it produces the sound quality to justify its somewhat lofty $299 price tag -- are after the break.

Gallery: Sonos Play:3 review

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Sonos Play:3 review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos Controller for Android with voice search will blow you away (video)

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST

You can exhale Sonos fans, it's finally happening. The Sonos Controller for Android is official. After almost a year in development, the free WiFi music remote finally gives Sonos owners control over their whole-home audio system from any Android 2.1 and above device with a screen size of HVGA 320 x 480, WVGA 480 x 800 or WVGA 480 x 854. At least it will when it hits the Market at the end of March. Better yet, it trumps the Sonos iOS controller with music controls mapped directly to the buttons on your Android hardware. As such, you can control the volume of your Sonos system with the physical volume rocker on your Desire Z or use the search button on your Droid X to forage for that certain artist, track, or album. Oh, and the Sonos Controller for Android also supports voice search -- take that iOS app. Sorry, Sonos isn't announcing anything related to an Android tablet-equivalent of the Sonos controller for iPad today as the company is waiting to see how that market develops and which screen sizes and resolutions gain the most traction. Nevertheless, we'll be getting our first hands-on opportunity of the handset controller at Mobile World Congress next week. So, until then, why not wipe the tears from your $349 Sonos CR200 controller and watch the video preview after the break.

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Sonos Controller for Android with voice search will blow you away (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos update turns wireless S5 speaker into a premium 'stereo pair'

Thomas Ricker — Mon, 10 May 2010 04:45:00 EST

The ZonePlayer S5 launch was an important milestone for Sonos as it attempts to bring down the cost (and raise the appeal) of its excellent whole-home music delivery system. Now we've got a bit of good news for those of you who already picked up a few of the $399 all-in-one wireless speakers we reviewed back in October. A 3.2 software update for the Sonos controller and iPod touch / iPhone apps will be released sometime this month letting you assign left and right audio channels to a pair of S5 speakers. The result should be impressive since the portable units can already easily fill the average room with sound on their own. The update will provide owners of multiple S5s with a temporary option for parties, especially if you decide to take the show outdoors... assuming you can still celebrate knowing that you're listening to two-channel audio on $800 worth of speakers. Hey, at least the software update is free.

Sonos update turns wireless S5 speaker into a premium 'stereo pair' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 May 2010 04:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos CR200 controller outed by the FCC

Thomas Ricker — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:40:00 EST

Without a doubt, Sonos makes an excellent wireless distributed audio system. If we had to nit pick (and we do), then its massive controller, the CR100 is easily the first thing to complain about. For starters it's a $400 remote control that does one thing, it controls your Sonos audio system. Granted, the CR100 is rugged, splashproof, and turns on in an instant thanks to a built-in accelerometer; features that can't justify the price, however, in light of the solid Sonos did its user base when it released a free Sonos controller app for the iPhone and iPod touch. The app even one-ups the CR100 with its on-screen QWERTY since the CR100's scrollwheel isn't exactly the best interface for typing out the name of an artist search. So imagine our intrigue when we saw a new CR200 Sonos Controller pass through the FCC. The new controller appears to prefer a portrait orientation (instead of landscape like the CR100) and was tested across 802.11g WiFi frequencies with a 24Mbps fixed data rate. While that doesn't give us much to go on, at least it passed the tests meaning we could be close to an official announcement. Considering the controller's physical design hasn't changed since its launch in January of 2005, a few more days or weeks of waiting shouldn't be a problem.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Portable Audio

Sonos CR200 controller outed by the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos 2.8 adds Deezer Radio to multi-room systems in Europe, updates iPhone controller

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EST

After plunking down a grand for Sonos' impressive 2-room bundle, it's always nice to see a freebie or two arrive via software updates. While not quite as big a release as version 2.7 was for Sonos' wireless (or wired) multi-room audio system, 2.8 does add free Deezer Radio service to Sonos users in 30 countries across Europe -- think Last.fm's artist smart lists with the ability to skip tracks only better dressed and with a knowledge of geography. Sonos is also updating its free iPhone / iPod touch controller application by extending native language support (Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish added to English) and granting access to the sleep timers and wake-to-music alarms you've setup using the Sonos software controller running on your desktop. This update brings the features of the iPhone Controller up to par with Sonos' own dedicated controller and thus makes the €399 price for the CR100 all the more ridiculous.

Fortunately, for a limited time (until May 31st) Sonos is heavily discounting its €399 Sonos Controller as long as you buy it bundled with a ZonePlayer -- a box required for adding new speaker zones. The ZP90 and Sonos Controller combo is available for €599 (a savings of €149) while the amplified ZP120 and Controller combo is available for €699 (a savings of €199). The offer seems bent on preventing you from purchasing a relatively fragile but multi-purpose €219 iPod touch with onscreen keyboard to control your whole-house audio instead of Sonos' rugged and water-resistant CR100 Controller with scroll-wheel QWERTY. Try harder Sonos, even Apple learned to ditch the scroll-wheel. A few more interface shots after the break.

Continue reading Sonos 2.8 adds Deezer Radio to multi-room systems in Europe, updates iPhone controller

Filed under: Industry, Media streamers, Others

Sonos 2.8 adds Deezer Radio to multi-room systems in Europe, updates iPhone controller originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos 2.8 adds Deezer Radio to multi-room systems in Europe, updates iPhone controller

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EST

After plunking down a grand for Sonos' impressive two-room bundle, it's always nice to see a freebie or two arrive via software updates. While not quite as big a release as version 2.7 was for Sonos' wireless (or wired) multi-room audio system, 2.8 does add free Deezer Radio service to Sonos users in 30 countries across Europe -- think Last.fm's artist smart lists with the ability to skip tracks only better dressed and with a knowledge of geography. Sonos is also updating its free iPhone / iPod touch controller application by extending native language support (Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish added to English) and granting access to the sleep timers and wake-to-music alarms you've setup using the Sonos software controller running on your desktop. This update brings the features of the iPhone Controller up to par with Sonos' own dedicated controller and thus makes the €399 price for the CR100 all the more ridiculous.

Fortunately, for a limited time (until May 31st) Sonos is heavily discounting its €399 Sonos Controller as long as you buy it bundled with a ZonePlayer -- a box required for adding new speaker zones. The ZP90 and Sonos Controller combo is available for €599 (a savings of €149) while the amplified ZP120 and Controller combo is available for €699 (a savings of €199). The offer seems bent on preventing you from purchasing a relatively fragile but multi-purpose €219 iPod touch with onscreen keyboard to control your whole-house audio instead of Sonos' rugged and water-resistant CR100 Controller with scroll-wheel QWERTY. Try harder Sonos, even Apple learned to ditch the scroll-wheel. A few more interface shots after the break.

Continue reading Sonos 2.8 adds Deezer Radio to multi-room systems in Europe, updates iPhone controller

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Sonos 2.8 adds Deezer Radio to multi-room systems in Europe, updates iPhone controller originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sonos Controller for iPhone and Software 2.7 bring Last.fm, internet radio and 'the future' to your existing setup

Paul Miller — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:01:00 EST

We've been griping about the limitations of the existing wireless Sonos controller for just about as long as Sonos has been pumping them out -- not that it's a horrible chunk of hardware, just that we love to gripe, and the lack of good text input is extremely limiting in these modern times of limitless content to surf through. Well, the problem's been solved, at least for iPhone and iPod touch users, and in typical Sonos fashion the solution's free. Starting today Sonos will be offering a free Sonos Controller app on Apple's App Store, which can handle just about every function the existing controller can, with the additional convenience of a touch interface and an on-screen keyboard. Multi-room control, Napster and Rhapsody, your own music library -- it's all here, thanks to the magic of WiFi. Sonos even saw it fit to pack a general software update (Sonos Software 2.7) which includes fifteen thousand internet radio stations and Last.fm integration. The primary limitation to iPhone control is the fact that you're relying on your home's WiFi instead of that schmancy mesh network Sonos products employ, but that's a small price to pay for usability. Check out our highly enthralling hands-on shots below, and then peep the read link for more info and video, which should be live by the time you read this. The app should go live sometime today.

Gallery: Sonos Controller for iPhone and Software 2.7

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Sonos Controller for iPhone and Software 2.7 bring Last.fm, internet radio and 'the future' to your existing setup originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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