NEWS: Sonos links up with Napster

Owners of the Sonos Digital Music System can, from today, access and play up to five million songs from Napster's online music subscription service.

Following a deal between the two companies, Sonos has developed new software (Sonos 2.5) enabling users to access Napster's online catalogue, new releases and pre-programmed playlists, all without having to connect the Sonos system to a computer. All you need is an internet broadband connection.

In addition, Napster's automix discovery feature automatically recommends hours of music based on the music you're listening to and, with a single click, streams a custom playlist based on the Napster community's music preferences.

Exisiting Sonos customers in the UK, USA, Canada and Germany will receive a free 30-day Napster trial. After that, customers can subscribe to the Napster service for £9.95 per month.

And in a separate development, Sonos has added the ZoneBridge BR100 to its range of products. The £69 device is designed to extend the range of the SonosNet wireless streaming system, boosting the link between the main receiver/sender amp unit and other ZonePlayers around the home.

The Sonos Digital Music System was voted Best MP3 Music System in the 2007 What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards.

Technorati Tags: MP3, multiroom, napster, wi-fi, wireless

Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.