Still not a Sonos equivalent by any means (extremely limited services, no NAS support, no ADC, etc) but new users will have a much more difficult time justifying a Sonos Connect now, given all that the Dot can do. Amazon has just today opened the Alexa device API and Multi-room API for developer preview. Sonos, Denon, Bose and Samsung are all on board.
What a huge update! Thanks for the info. I tested it with my 3 dots and it works great.Multi-Room groups now available in the Alexa app. Perfect syncing between multiple Dots, testing it now. Sonos Connect has just been pretty much killed, finally, by $50 Dots.
I think there is room in the market for multiple companies. They all seem to have some advantages depending on whether you use Amazon, Android, or iOS. I am surprised Google hasn't made their music service available on the Echo, but that could be Amazon blocking them.Google Home has had the multiroom and grouping plus voice control for some time now, plus far more available services (via Chromecast), casting from your NAS, digital out, etc. However, their far-field voice control is restricted to their $129 air freshener. Hopefully they will come out with a $50 CCA with far-field mics soon. Would be hard to beat.
That is the other great thing about the Echo Dot, it is comparably cheap for $50, but it is also often on sale.Staples has the Dot for $35 right now, after Ez rebate.
That's me. I guess the multi-room bug has yet to grip me as such a game changing feature. I'm sure it's nice & handy but it's no where as desirable and practical as the Alexa remote....if I used multiroom...
I will probably use the other new features like telling the Echo in the kitchen to play Clapton in the office more often than multiroom. I often grab a drink before heading into the cave, so it would be able to start up some music before I ever entered the space.That's me. I guess the multi-room bug has yet to grip me as such a game changing feature. I'm sure it's nice & handy but it's no where as desirable and practical as the Alexa remote.
That said, after many years of flawless service, my 2nd gen Airport Express in the garage is beginning to act a bit flaky. So I see yet another Dot coming in the mail soon. Maybe then multi-room may make me giddy on certain social occasions. And with the remote in my shirt pocket....the feature is there...so why not.
As for Sonos, like Chicks said, their Connect is toast. This field has been Moore's Lawed and deep pocket bankrolled into a dog eat dog realm; and Sonos connect is wearing Milk-Bone underwear.
Do you have a link? I think it makes more sense if it had a DAC and worked with digital. $350 to add an analog input seems pricey considering the limited use case for analog and multiroom audio.Funny thing is, Yamaha just introduced a $350 Connect clone for its system. Doesn't make sense, except that it and the Connect enable legacy analog, like a tuner or turntable via a phonograph preamp, into the system (via ADC ). I guess there's a market, though it must be tiny compared to the wifi speaker market.
When I spin records, which I enjoy on the weekends, I want to be in the same room as the turntable, so don't need a Connect. But then, I have a receiver with phono inputs (actually several, lol), which the kidz with their new turntables don't, so maybe the Yammie / Connect make sense for them.
I have a WXC-50. While it has some overlap with the Connect, it works as a DAC (optical input) and supports higher resolutions and DSD, so it appeals to more audiophiles than Sonos. Of course, it has analog inputs and works with MusicCast, but I suspect many have bought it for its flexibility (Bluetooth, Airplay, DLNA, Optical in & Analog inputs, subwoofer out, DSD, 24/96, etc.).Oops, thought it was new, but now see the article is a year old.
https://www.cnet.com/news/yamaha-intros-five-new-musiccast-components/
Their WXC-50 "preamp" adds a couple of things the Connect doesn't offer, but it's functionally the same thing.
The relatively high prices are due to their limited market appeal.
I just read this whole thread. Very cool! My Dot will be here Tuesday. This thread prompted my order. I think the enhancements will arrive even faster than they have to this point. Digital out would be nice.
As a side note, CNET has reported that Amazon and Microsoft were teaming up so that the Dot will soon control Cortana. I have Cortana turned off on my Windows computers, but it might come in handy for some people.
They are nice little devices. I have two, plus the original Echo (which Amazon is discounting heavily right now, I'm guessing a new generation will be out b4 Xmas). Enjoy!