Sonos adds more firepower to iPhone app

Sonos, maker of the highly regarded multi-room music system, has updated the free controller software the company provides for the iPhone. The Sonos Controller [App Store link] allows the selection of music or playlists, selection of internet radio stations, control of Pandora, Napster, Last.fm and other music services, and now adds the ability to set, edit and delete alarms as well as set up networked music folders.

If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, this free app is an alternative to the $399.00US controller that is sold with the system, and it is actually easier to use because of the iPhone touch screen. The iPhone app requires users to update their Sonos software to version 2.8, which is a free upgrade that was released yesterday.

The app works very well, without glitches or drama. The screens look stunning, and the reflection effects for album art are a nice touch. Sonos could have easily charged for this app, but getting it free is a major bonus.

The Sonos product is one of many that distributes music around the house and is Mac friendly. Of course Apple has its own solution, the Airport Express Base Station, which effortlessly streams music from your iTunes library to to speakers or a stereo within range of the device. Logitech also has several solutions including the Squeezebox, the Squeezebox Duet, and the Squeezebox Boom. Olive has a well regarded high end solution that includes music servers and players for individual rooms.

Here are some screen grabs of the Sonos Controller in action:

Sonos iPhone app

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Source: http://www.sonos.com/default.aspx

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Sonos, maker of the highly regarded multi-room music system, has updated the free controller software the company provides for the iPhone....

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Alan

Good response fm...

I've tested both systems extensively (I've had 5 Sonos zones over 3 years now)...and I own an Apple TV...there is no comparison. Apple TV is great for one room, but I've had terrible results in response times, syncing, stuttering, and drop offs. Sonos works and works extremely well...and also the range of their offerings of Rhapsody, Pandora, terrestrial radio (streamed), etc. plus the quality of the components make it the best system out there.

Oh yeah...and their app is waaaaay better than Apple's. In fact it is one of the best looking and functioning apps I've tested on the iPhone.

April 16 2009 at 12:02 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

What sets Sonos apart besides offering a ton of media options (internet radio, Rhapsody, Pandora, Last.fm, your media files from your computer or NAS drive) is the ability to add units throughout the house with the ability to independently control volume and source (in case your significant other wants to listen to something different than you). The interface is super easy and intuitive, and the product itself looks like something Apple designed. It's not even that expensive for a single room assuming you already have a stereo to plug it into, just buy their CP90 for $350 and download the iPhone/Touch app and you're in business. I'd think people who own Macs in particular would appreciate the quality of the product.

April 15 2009 at 8:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Just thought, for a small house, 3/4 Airport Expresses (possibly even second hand 1st gen ones, afterall you dont really need the .11n) and the remote app. Any Mac enthusiast should have an old mac lying around somewhere to make a music server, and your sorted. Much cheaper than the Sonos set up!

April 15 2009 at 6:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to OJ's comment

Cheaper...and nothing like it.

April 15 2009 at 10:07 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply