Sonos' hat-trick: Napster/BestBuy, ZoneBridge BR100, and 2.5 firmware updates

Busy morning for Sonos so let's just get to it. First, the ZoneBridge BR100 is out and official for $100 just like we expected. It features a pair of Ethernet ports to link your Xbox 360, TiVo, etc. into the Sonos network and onto the nets. It'll also extend coverage to network dead spots without having to unload $350 for another Zone. The free 2.5 firmware update brings direct, PC-less access to Napster's new 4.0 Web platform and Best Buy's Digital Music Store. The update also tweaks features and zone management while adding a new search function which spans both premium services and your home music library. Available now at Sonos which sits just beyond that little read link.

[Via PC Magazine]

[Nick Gray @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:17AM]

I've always seen the Sansa products at best buy, buy my question is, do people actually buy this thing? I have some pretty tech saavy friends and I have not found one person I know who owns one.

http://htcsource.com

[Edgar @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:00AM]

There are plenty of Sonos customers. Dunno about Sansa though. Read forums.sonos.com to get a feel for the size of the community.

[TrentD @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:43AM]

Sansa? I think you're in the wrong story :)

I don't know anybody with a Sonos system either, but I think a lot of custom installers sell them. They're a pretty successful company, it seems.

[Eric @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:27AM]

This has nothing to do with Sansa, and they don't sell these at Best Buy.

I have this product (2 ZP100s, 1 ZP80 and a CR100). This bridge device woulda saved me some drilling and wire fishing in January when I got it.

Talked the girlfriend into getting this and she uses it more than I do now!

I can say this is the best music solution ever. I look forward to the new searching capabilities, cuz my biggest complaint was the way music was organized (by artist). You can't find classic or soundtracks by artist. Especially classic. I don't know WHO recorded beethoven (it gets listed under the orchestra that recorded it), and I have no idea who performed or even WROTE Carmina Burana. Searching by title will be awesome.

[NIck @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:53AM]

Guys, sorry for using the wrong word. I was reading two blogs at once and got things mixed up. I've seen the Sonos quite a few times at Best Buy, it's actually the only place I've seen it. Guess what, it's also in the title.

[L. @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:23AM]

carmina burana = orff

[Notung @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:59AM]

I don't know about the rest of the world having devices. I enjoy the fact of some of them working as expected, and yielding utility (in economic terms)

But that thing and my large collection of CD's (now ripped) and Rhapsody changed my life.
The only thing I had to say that was not really good was battery life in first versions of the controller. We asked for a no-amp zone player with digital outs, and voilá they gave it to us, the search option, same.

What I don't see now is how other people keep wasting precious time configuring devices, DLNA who?, Ipod docks with bluetooh, thousand's of dolars in high end multiroom stuff, etc., etc.

Men, If you don't have one go somewhere and test it, then turn back to us and give some feedback

[downsouth821 @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:44PM]

Hey Eric. We do sell these at Best Buy.

[Bisoy @ Nov 11th 2007 5:38AM]

@Eric

I bought mine from Best Buy. 2 ZP100s and 1 Remote Controller

[John @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:54AM]

This update makes Sonos the best wireless music solution...PERIOD!

[TrentD @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:15AM]

Makes? I think it already was! I can't wait to get a Sonos system for my house, but I need $2500 first...

[John @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:25AM]

TrentD
"Makes? I think it already was! I can't wait to get a Sonos system for my house, but I need $2500 first..."

I have owned Sonos for about 10 months now. My only gripe about the system was the lack of search functionality.

I went with the 130 Bundle for $1000 and I plan to add a ZP as my budget allows. If you are waiting until you have $2500, you are doing yourself a disservice! 2 Zones in a house now is WAY better than 4-5 zones 6 months from now!

I waited 2 years to buy Sonos because I thought another manufacturer would deliver a cheaper solution. Roku & Squeezebox come close but until they get 2-way wireless remote, they can't compete.

[carl @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:57AM]

I've seen Sonos at BB in Oregon.

[oshean @ Oct 23rd 2007 8:55AM]

G. Love Lemonade ! =)

[Marcus Aurelius @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:35PM]

I also saw an ad for 6 months free of Best Buy Digital Music Service when you purchase a Sonos system in the Best Buy circular in Sunday's paper. That's a pretty sweet deal. They are obv. selling them at Best Buy.