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

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

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[Mp3 @ Oct 28th 2008 6:21AM]

Sonos is one of a very rare breed - an electronics product I have purchased and never felt buyer's remorse. It works flawlessly and the company is run with such class - just try calling customer service or even posting to one of their blogs and you'll see what I mean. This is a great update - especially the iPhone app! Effectively they're giving you a free controller (that looks even better than theirs). Thanks Sonos!

[Neg @ Oct 28th 2008 6:12PM]

But does this mean I can buy a Sonos base unit and use my iPhone to control it without a sonos controller?

if so, woot!

--neg

[Dizzybro @ Oct 28th 2008 6:26AM]

Neat

[KA @ Oct 28th 2008 7:08AM]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why this guy is low ranked?

[Paul Dunlop @ Oct 28th 2008 6:30AM]

My question is, now they've got this software, do you need to buy a controller anymore? I've been looking at getting Sonos for a while, if I could totally avoid having to buy the big, bulky controller, that would be fantastic!

[KA @ Oct 28th 2008 7:08AM]

Ditto my previous comment.

[Oskin @ Oct 28th 2008 11:13AM]

I've never heard of Sonos before but I find their product quite expensive considering that the only feature I would use is playing music from my library which can be achieved with the Airport Express (Which I actually use and it works great... 99$ Compared to what 350$?). Am I missing something here or is it just too damn expensive?

[Brad @ Oct 28th 2008 2:29PM]

First question: Yes, this means you can use Sonos without a controller. And since the iPod Touch is cheaper than their controllers, you really only need one if you're going to use it someplace where you don't have Wifi.

Second: Sonos is a high-end, multi-zone music system. It'll pull music from any number of computers on your home network (at the same time) and play them in any room, or put internet radio from any number of stations. You can sync multiple rooms, even plug a player into one room and play the line-in everywhere. They all connect through a mesh network, so they'll reach places your wireless router doesn't. You can do up to 32 zones in one house.

Mostly though, you're paying for user experience. It is really easy to manage your music and play whatever you want in any room, so yeah it is expensive, but it works really well and is downright painless to setup.

[Ben Rose @ Oct 28th 2008 6:40AM]

Great news!

@Paul Dunlop - You don't need any of the Sonos CR100 controllers and can run the system purely on iPhone controllers if you wish. Sonos supports up to 32 of any combination of PC, Mac, handheld of iPhone controllers as you wish to purchase.

[Neeko @ Oct 28th 2008 6:59AM]

Looks nice but kinda expensive total setup. I prefer the logitech squeezebox duet. Cool app for iphone/touch by Sonos but dont need to use that to control every device in my house. Rather just have a dedicated remote i dont care much about.

I would get pissed if everyone was just picking up my ipod touch and playing with it at my party's.

[Avee @ Oct 28th 2008 8:33AM]

@Neeko: The iphone controller is free, the ZP90 is $349. This will give you a better package than the duet. Of course if you don't have an iphone it will cost more, but an ipod touch also does the trick, costs $229 and can do a lot of other stuff which justifies the price anyway.

[Jeebus @ Oct 28th 2008 1:15PM]

iPod Touch/iPhone can also be used as controller for the Squeezebox. It's actually cheaper to get an iPod Touch 8GB than to buy the duet controller.

[Alexandre Emond @ Oct 28th 2008 7:05AM]

Cool to see more and more good apps for the iphone.

[absinthe party @ Oct 28th 2008 7:26AM]

Remember when Engadget was all "nooooo, we don't write about software, just gadgets, blah blah blah (sic) ?"

[John @ Oct 28th 2008 7:44AM]

Not really...

[Chris Aubeck @ Oct 28th 2008 8:27AM]

Why sic?

[hangfire @ Oct 28th 2008 8:47AM]

these days, most of the hardware looks similar, it is the software thats making the hardware come alive,

[absinthe party @ Oct 28th 2008 10:32AM]

It was when Google Chrome came out, and please don't make me drag out a potentially awkward joke any further.

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 28th 2008 8:55AM]

Soothing interface.......

[Raheem @ Oct 28th 2008 9:17AM]

Um... what does this do? *Doesn't get it*

[upsidedown @ Oct 28th 2008 9:41AM]

Could I use this as a source input to my Russound system? If I understand this correctly I could get a ZonePlayer 90 and use the Iphone software to control the system. I would be able to view my music collection on my server as well as use Internet radio. I would use the Russound to select the Sonos source. (I understand that I would not be able to use the multiroom feature of the Sonos and whatever was playing would go to all rooms connected to the Russound). Can anyone tell me if I understand this correctly?

[Nick @ Oct 28th 2008 10:06AM]

This is sweet. That sonos controller is an unwieldy piece of garbage. Now, please port to Android!

[stereobot @ Oct 28th 2008 10:08AM]

This is great and all, but for those of you who haven't yet tried streaming music to your ipod touch (or iPhone), it goes through the battery incredibly fast. You would be lucky getting 3-4 hours of playtime, less than if you were to watch video non-stop.

[upsidedown @ Oct 28th 2008 10:36AM]

I don't believe this streams music to your iPod / iPhone. This is software to control your Sonos which does the actual streaming.

[Craig @ Oct 28th 2008 11:08AM]

This changes everything. I would have never considered a Sonos, only because it's so expensive. But I would definitely get a ZP90 if it works with a touch. If you're going to be spending money on a portable mp3 player and a home streaming unit, it ends up being a much better deal than any other iPod/traditional Zonos/Logitech Duet combination.

I now have something to ask for Christmas.

[brc @ Oct 28th 2008 11:38AM]

this is the best news since bread came sliced. the sonos controller works really well, but after playing around with the ipod remote itunes app it was difficult to look at my once loved sonos scroll wheel the same again. now i get all the benefits of the wonderful sonos system with the glory of a ipod touch screen. as for passing it around a party full of people? it lives in my pocket with my keys and that hasn't hurt it yet...

[Jeebus @ Oct 28th 2008 1:56PM]

You can get the duet box only for $149 and control it with an iPhone/iPod Touch. How cheap is that?

[Dimbo @ Oct 28th 2008 12:14PM]

they've surely shot themselves in the foot. iPod touch + Airport express = same solution. So long, Sonos!

[Jason @ Oct 28th 2008 12:32PM]

For your one room, one stream solution? The iPod was already capable of this. WIth this update now you can control multiple streams in multiple rooms, hence Sonos Multi Room music solution. Please inquire as to what the products do before you bash.

[Alan Tan The Main Man @ Oct 29th 2008 3:58AM]

Can't you have multiple Airport Express outputting music on the same network and control them from the iPod Touch with the free Apple application?

[Scott K. @ Oct 28th 2008 11:25AM]

This is fine for those that shelled out for all of that, but why pay for hardware to listen to Internet radio when you can install the Pandora client for free...?

[fm @ Oct 28th 2008 4:37PM]

For those saying that Slim Devices/Logitech has an iPhone/Touch App for the Duet, can you provide details? I just searched the Slim Devices forum and it does not look like there is a solution to control their product with an iPhone. Until there is I'd have to say that Sonos is now ahead of the Duet solution since it has the better remote and a similar cost.

For those asking about the Airport Express as a cheap alternative, the problem with it is it will not allow you to stream internet radio (as easily), Pandora, Rhapsody, ect., nor does it do multi-room audio as elegantly as the Sonos. About the only thing Airport Express is good for is streaming your iTunes music to a remote location in your house, which will be too limiting for some (like me).

[Jeebus @ Oct 29th 2008 7:50PM]

iPhone/iPod plugin:
http://penguinlovesmusic.de/?page_id=27

[lowdef @ Oct 28th 2008 11:46AM]

GRATEFUL DEAD!!! FTW

[xavier @ Oct 28th 2008 12:36PM]

I am in the market for a wireless home music system.
But what's the difference with this product and the Airport Express?

[graham @ Oct 28th 2008 1:32PM]

The airport express is basically a wireless RCA cable. You connect it to your wifi and then you need a stereo, and you need your computer on, and itunes running for it to work.

Sonos is a music system, it is not the cheapest, but in my opinion you do get what you pay for. Its biggest strength is multiple zone/room systems. If you want to put digital music (mp3, flac, internet radio, rhapsody, napster, last.fm etc) in multiple rooms (living room, bedroom, kitchen etc) i think its hands down the best solution out there. Its a great product, very well supported, constantly updated (free)... and works like a stereo not like a geeky computer gadget. I've even got my parents using it and they love it. No way they would go for a itunes/computer/ stereo/airport express...

if you're only putting music in one room there are more choices to get what you want... if you are one of the 10million+ iphone users you can be into Sonos with this new app for $350... and then add more zones when you're ready. or you can connect a cable from your laptop to your stereo for $15 and listen to itunes over your stereo system..

[Derek @ Oct 28th 2008 12:05PM]

This is just amazing news!

I am a big Sonos user for many years now. This is exactly what I've been waiting for!

I have WiFi all over the house and more WiFi access points than Sonos ZonePlayers. This app therefore works for me everywhere... even in the garden!

The app is actually much prettier than the display on the controller itself and it even offers more information sometimes (queue display on the controller only shows track name while on the app it shows track, artist and album thumbnail). It works wonderfully well and it looks great and... it's free!

I've always got my iPhone with me. I can now be anywhere in the house and I know what's playing in each zone, at what volume and I can control it from where I am without having to find the nearest controller...

The Last.FM support is also great news. The scrobbling works perfectly. I went online to Last.FM right after playing a song and there it was in my profile. Of course we desperately await the possibility to be able to actually listen to Last.FM on our Sonos devices... but it's a step in the right direction.

The new app makes for a really beautiful, extremely portable and handy controller.

Thanks Sonos!

[AV @ Oct 29th 2008 4:18PM]

Yes, the Sonos ZonePlayer works as a Perfect input to a Russound System. That's the way I have mine set up. I first bought the Sonos but didn't like searching for the controller all the time. I then added the Russound and installed the wall units for each zone. Now I only use the Russound with my mac Mini and Sonos (and DirecTV's) feeding the Russound as well as my Sonos. Up to now I've been using the free Apple remote to control iTunes via my iPhone ... works fantastic!

[graham @ Oct 28th 2008 1:50PM]

This is a really neat addition to Sonos' already cool system... i like how they keep making the same system i bought 3 years ago better and more valuable at no additional cost to me. Very cool.

[ace @ Oct 28th 2008 2:32PM]

I am sooooo psyched about this. I love my Sonos and it is a part of our entire lifestyle - music is always heard in our house. For example, this weekend I had a halloween party, inside we were rocking a few zones of pandora, and outside by the pool I had a couple Zones streaming creepy halloween sounds. I always have my iPhone with me, so now when I am outside having a drink I can just pop on some tunes and dont need to worry about going inside to grab the conrtoller.

BTW - the controller is still a good investment for controlling your sonos around a pool or spa as it is water resistant.

I AM STOKED!

[Lesterp @ Oct 28th 2008 3:59PM]

"i think its hands down the best solution out there. Its a great product, very well supported, constantly updated (free)... and works like a stereo not like a geeky computer gadget."

That captures the essence of Sonos - a product that was approached from an audiophile/stereo component perspective, not from the tech gadget side like so many products that quickly become a small stain on the long list of half baked copy-cat products from the computer component world.

[andy @ Oct 28th 2008 5:27PM]

Count me as one of the major supporters of Sonos. Thanks guys for making this available.

[attraktor @ Oct 28th 2008 10:56PM]

Could anyone with an IPOD Touch confirm if you will now be able to playback songs with Japanese or Chinese (i.e. double-byte character set) filenames. The current CR100 controller cannot display those filenames properly but the underlying Sonos Controller software can apparently handle unicode. This is the only weak point of the incredibly bullet-proof Sonos system.

[NewJohnny @ Oct 29th 2008 3:54AM]

I don't understand. I downloaded the Sonos controller app like two months ago. What is this new app about?