At CES, Logitech introduced their first updated Squeezebox since acquiring Slim Devices. The Squeezebox Duet ($399) does a nice job mashing-up Logitech’s discontinued Wireless DJ product and the prior Squeezebox by uncoupling the music display and controls from the audio playback hardware. As with all Squeezebox products, the device streams audio from a computer or the Internet (including Pandora and Slacker). While the base station is somewhat homely, it’s small and will most likely reside out of sight near the home theater gear and attached speakers. The only question I have is, will Mari want to upgrade her current Squeezebox?
Pardon me, but *I’m* her current Squeezebox.
So…could this be a Sonos competitor? It seems like it does the same thing.
Never mind *who* my current Squeezebox is. ;) As long as I can get Slacker support on my existing Squeezebox model (doesn’t appear active yet), I don’t see a need for an upgrade. The remote looks cool, but the one I have now is perfectly serviceable.
Kevin, yes – very similar in concept and function. Both the base station and handset have WiFi and additional receivers and/or controllers can be added to the mix. Price of entry is lower than Sonos though.
The SqueezeCenter 7 is nearing release. One feature that I am looking forward to is syncing sources that use to be only available via the SqueezeNetwork (Pandora, Rhapsody, RadioTime, RadioIO) to multiple Squeezeboxes. The new default UI is sweet looking as well.
It looks like they were rewarded with some CES awards as well.
Yah, once my XM Helix subscription expires I may move over to a Squeezebox and stream Pandora or Slacker to the living room. Maybe I’ll jump into Rhapsody and also use it with TiVo. Hmmmm. I don’t find myself using the Helix as a portable device much these days… too much to carry! If my iPhone gets Flash, I’ll be streaming XM online, or Pandora, or Slacker.
Why not SSL tunnel your SqueezeCenter stream to your iPhone?