Sonos Introduces New iPhone Controller
Source: Tom's Guide | Keywords: streaming, music, iphone | Themes: Digital Entertainment
Sonos introduced new software today that allows you to control their Sonos Digital Music System using an iPhone. they also announced that Sonos owners will now have free access to Last.fm and Pandora (as in free forever, not a free trial).
Sonos made two important announcements related to its excellent Sonos Digital Music System today: They now have an iPhone app that turns that smartphone into a controller for their music-streaming system, and all Sonos customers now have free access to the Internet radio services Last.FM and Pandora.
By most accounts, the Sonos controller, which features an iPod style control wheel and a luscious 3.5-inch LCD, is better than what comes with any other music-streaming system on the market. Unfortunately, its $399 price tag renders the device more costly than many other entire music-streaming systems, including Logitech’s excellent Squeezebox Classic ($299, including a decidedly simpler remote control).
But if you own an iPhone, you can now download a free app that turns that device into a Sonos controller with all the same (some would say more) functionality.
Squeezebox fans, of course, will point out that an iPhone controller has been available for that music-streaming system for months. That’s just one of the many benefits—to both manufacturers and end users—of open-source software; the Sonos system is entirely proprietary.
Sonos’ other big announcement today is that all Sonos customers now have free access to the Internet radio subscription services Last.fm and Pandora. Both services analyze the music you listen to and make recommendations of other songs and artists that you might like.
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Sonos is a rip off. You can do the same thing with an iPod Touch or iPhone and an Airport Express for much cheaper. A refurb 8gb iPod is $179 and a refurb Airport Express is $79. Total, that's $258 vs. $949 for a basic Sonos system. wake up sonos!
Sonos is a rip off. You can do the same thing with an iPod Touch or iPhone and an Airport Express for much cheaper. A refurb 8gb iPod is $179 and a refurb Airport Express is $79. Total, that's $258 vs. $949 for a basic Sonos system. wake up sonos!
Hi Ripoff,
An iPhone plus Airport Express is hardly the same thing as a Sonos. It is a great cheap alternative, however, though you will be lacking the ability to play high-quality audio files and you'll be forced to use iTunes as your music sorting system (which many people despise). Multi-room synching also isn't supported.
Rachel Rosmarin, Editor of Tom's Guide
Rachel,
It sounds like you're not quite up to speed on the latest iTunes. Actually, the airport express does play high quality audio files and connects to your stereo through an optical input. Also, you can send the itunes music to as many rooms as you like. each Air port express is the equivalent of an unamplified zoneplayer. Then, through the "Remote" program for the iPod touch, you select which airports you want it to play though. Also, any PC or mac on the network is effectively a separate controller (each sonos controller is $400) on which you can access other's shared libraries and also tell it where you want your music played. Further, if you need an amplified "zone Player", audioengine specifically makes a set of studio quality speakers with a built in amplifier to go along with your Airport express. it even has an AC plug in the back. Granted, I'm am sure there may be a few pluses for the Sonos, but not enough to pay 3 to 4 times more.
Oh wow I didn't know all of that! I should really...oh, no, no wait. I almost forgot...apple makes it; nevermind.
Dude I don't care if it does my laundry and cleans dog crap off the floor, and I don't care if its cheaper refurbished. I will not corner myself into Apple's locked down platforms and ideaologies.