Sonos confirmed (within 10 minutes via Twitter, kudos for that!) that it's suitable for the bathroom, so I'll be getting one of these...

After trying a series of home audio distribution setups, I switched to Sonos last month and love it. It's easy, user friendly, offers good quality audio components, runs of a NAS, offers tons of useful online services and it's dedicated to music rather than trying a be-it-all. I like Squeezebox too and it's especially great if you love to tinker, but it can't beat Sonos for usability, variety in controllers, looks and it-just-works robustness. Plus Sonos is the first system my girlfriend actually uses.

Also I tried Airport Express/Itunes/Iphone but you can't get an Airport Express with integrated amplifier, it only plays the same song across the different zones and it doesn't come with all the radio and music service options that Sonos has. Also, the main reason for not pursuing it further is that it forced me to keep iTunes running. If you love iTunes, it's a different story, but I'm partial to J River Media Center so I find it bad enough that I have to use iTunes because it's the only way I can sync an Iphone, let alone keeping the PC on at all times just for iTunes' sake.

About the S5: what I hope is that it is somewhat waterproof (as is ther CR100 controller). That way it's an ideal device for a bathroom, kitchen or the poolside. I'd buy one or two S5's instantly if they can stand a bit of moist. The ZP90 is great in a dedicated stereo/HT environment, the ZP120 in places that don't have other audio sources (study, bedroom). The S5 seems intended for spaces that are used less regularly or for shorter periods, or for environments with acoustics that make them less ideal for standard stereo speaker setups.

The main advantage over Ipod touch that Sonos could offer would be dedicated hardware buttons that you can reach for without looking. Touch isn't the answer to everything. They've done this for volume and home, which is good, but not for next/previous track which is probably the other most used feature. So as you said, unless they have some cool features up their sleeve, get an Ipod Touch instead.

Tent! Bez! Maracas!
Looks like a hit to me.

Yep, down it is. I was about to call a friend in the UK to have it shipped there, but no need to any more.

Agreed... I carry a GPS tracker in my photo bag and store the whole track. Having it on the camera itself only adds value if it stores the data directly in/next to the pics on the memory card. Adding a compass is a great idea too. And why not a temperature sensor too for good measure?

Remote control-based interactive services are indeed available in several markets throughout the world and via various providers. But availability doesn't mean success and long-term relevance. The point I take from this interesting article (and that I fully agree on) is the fact that focusing on remote-control or set-top box based interactivity is a waste of time as mobile and web alternatives are gaining ground.

Set-top boxes are evolving at a much slower pace then the two other main channels for TV interactivity and viewer participation - the mobile phone and the laptop. They evolve at 'internet speed', while set-top boxes have to be produced at low, low prices, with cost cutting applied to processing, communication and user input (how can you play a game with your family if you only have one remote?). People voluntarily get a new phone every 18 months, but a new TV and set-top box only every 5 years or so. An new set-top box is subsidized and still has to be shoved down their throat by the cable co. In contrast, people like browsing for phones, using them, play with them when they're bored, expressing themselves - the reason why there is 'engadget mobile', but not 'engadget set-top box'.

Look at interacative TV trials in the 80s and where we are now. Progress for sure, but compare that progress against progress in mobile and web during the same period and the trend is clear.

If you can wait a while, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 is promising to be great , I have an Iphone and I'm thinking of switching to it as I don't want to be forced in T-Mobile's arms (which is the exclusive carrier for Holland)

In principle HD can be broadcast over DVB-S/-T. There's also the HVR-4000 which does DVB-S2 as well for added bandwidth etc.

I'm curious though if Hauppauge supports a CI slot for encrypted channels, especially within MCE - I know freeview is all the rage in the UK, but all relevant channels for our little EU continental country require a smart card...

I still remember visiting Janus and Niklas in their basement office somewhere in Amsterdam years ago... When Kazaa was in a similar stage as this is now... It's great to witness the irony, using the same technology concept and first applying it to uncontrolled (mostly illegal) music sharing, then to a less-controversial-but-still-anti-establishment peer-to-peer voip service and now they're holding hands with the DRM overlords from the start.