Sonos brings PLAY:1 & PLAY:5 speakers to Apple's online & retail stores
Wi-Fi speaker maker Sonos on Monday announced a partnership that will see the company's PLAY:1 and PLAY:5 speakers sold in Apple's online and physical retail stores.
The speakers should go sale from Apple.com later today, and reach outlets on Oct. 5, Sonos said in a press release. Online sales will initially be limited to the U.S., but these should expand elsewhere "in the coming weeks."
People who buy a Sonos system from Apple between today and Dec. 31 will get a free gift card for three months of Apple Music streaming. To further promote the partnership, over 140 stores will be hosting demo stations with the Sonos app loaded on an iPad Pro.
The company's current speakers have been available for some time, as has Apple Music support. Sales through Apple can be lucrative though, since while shoppers could easily find speakers elsewhere, a presence in Apple's stores means catching shoppers right when they need accessories, and taking advantage of a high-profile international brand.
People who buy a Sonos system from Apple between today and Dec. 31 will get a free gift card for three months of Apple Music streaming. To further promote the partnership, over 140 stores will be hosting demo stations with the Sonos app loaded on an iPad Pro.
The company's current speakers have been available for some time, as has Apple Music support. Sales through Apple can be lucrative though, since while shoppers could easily find speakers elsewhere, a presence in Apple's stores means catching shoppers right when they need accessories, and taking advantage of a high-profile international brand.
Comments
I spent years with a cobbled together AirPlay iTunes distribution system at my house. Always annoying. And the girlfriend could never figure it out.
I stepped up to Sonos a couple years ago and I've been extremely impressed. The girlfriend works the Sonos App like a champ, which is awesome.
Here's one thing I have trouble with: Didn't the old Beats Music integration with Sonos have a Like or Heart button for the Beats service? The Sonos Apple Music integration doesn't have any support for the Apple Music Hearts, let alone the old iTunes star system. I love using Apple Music over the Sonos for music discovery. I would love to be able to mark my likes and dislikes from the same App.
The PlayBar (with sub) is the icing on the cake though, fully integrating the TV into the mix. I would agree that the play are is expensive, especially when you factor in the sub, but talk about solid construction! (Playbar weighs more than my 46" tv.) With the playbar, you seem to have full airplay functionality, but fewer devices to control.
Don't you need another product to use Sonos with Air Play?