Sonos gets smarter with new software and Bridge-free WiFi connectivity

A major update to Sonos PLAY:1 wireless systems now enables adding new speakers as well as streaming directly from WiFi without the Bridge product. This development makes it easier to get a Sonos speaker, hook it up to an exisiting WiFi network using a smartphone app and then stream their desired music from services like Spotify, RDIO or others. Check out the release after the break.

Everything we do is built on the belief that listening to your music at home should be as easy as possible without compromising on our legendary sound quality. Through software, we are able to continuously improve Sonos – making it easier, faster and more flexible for all, including those unboxing Sonos in their homes for the very first time.

Today, getting started with Sonos becomes even easier as we launch Sonos 5.1, a major software update that allows you to set up and run Sonos on your existing WiFi network. From now on, a wired connection to your router – or a SONOS BRIDGE – is no longer required.

Start with a speaker

Go from unboxing to jamming out in only a few simple steps. Start with a PLAY:1 at $219, your smartphone or tablet*, and connect to your WiFi. Then, simply add your favourite music services like Rdio or Google Play Music, and start streaming.

From there – you can easily expand your system. Add more speakers to other rooms at the touch of a button and control all your music at home from one place.

Simple WiFi setup, same rock-solid wireless:

Stream HiFi sound to any room in your home without dropouts, echoes, or delays. Our new software delivers the full experience people know and love from Sonos using your existing WiFi network. Following our largest beta test to date over the last several months, we’ve studied the performance across all kinds of home environments around the world to ensure the new WiFi-enabled setup meets our high standards.

The vast majority of new customers will now be able to use the WiFi setup, which works for all speakers within range of the WiFi router. But the dedicated Sonos network, which is only obtained through a wired connection to your router, remains the best way to ensure the most bulletproof experience, specifically for the following scenarios:

• ·         Homes where the WiFi signal doesn’t reach every room in which you may want to put a speaker
• ·         

Existing customers using a BRIDGE or another wired component to the router are already benefitting from a dedicated Sonos network, and shouldn’t change a thing.

Boost your signal

Alongside the development of today’s software update, we’ve also been working on an even more powerful wireless accessory as an alternative to the BRIDGE called the SONOS BOOST. Available later this year for $109, the BOOST applies over a decade of learning about the varying needs of our customers and offers enterprise-grade wireless capabilities to serve even the most challenging home WiFi environments. Look for the BOOST’s official launch in the coming months.

To find out more about getting started with Sonos, go to: www.sonos.com/rock-solid-wireless