Cloud music services are all the talk these days. But let’s not forget the devices used to access the cloud. Sonos, one of the earliest pioneers of cloud music home entertainment systems, today unveiled a number of new improvements to keep itself ahead of the game as more traditional home entertainment systems begin edging into the cloud market.
For starters, the company, which makes wireless multi-room music systems, officially added an Android app to compliment its iPhone app, both of which allow users to control Sonos using their smartphone as a remote control. While the Android version does not support Android-powered tablets, it does have a voice-controlled search option that the iPhone version does not. The existing iPhone app, meanwhile, added multitasking support, meaning users can run other iPhone applications while also using their Sonos controller.
Related
Additionally, Sonos has issued a software update to all its devices to support Apple’s AirPlay in-home streaming product…sort of. It’s really more of a workaround than a support feature, as AirPlay works best with other Apple products. Now, users that connect AirPort Express into the Sonos home system can listen to any music on any device connected to the same home network through the Sonos system.
Sonos will still need to find a way to lower its prices if it expects to stay competitive with more recognizable home entertainment brands. But it’s staying admirably ahead of the accessibility game, which at the end of the day is the key selling point for cloud music.