Sonos axes Controller hardware for mobile apps

Sonos on Wednesday dropped its dedicated Control hardware. The Play:3 designer will stop selling the CR200 after May 31. From then on, Sonos owners will have to control the networked audio system using a desktop or mobile app, including either the official iOS (App Store) or Android (Google Play) apps as well as unofficial apps for other platforms.

The decision is considered natural for Sonos. Its dedicated remotes were introduced almost at the outset as a way of providing remote control at a time when smartphone adoption was still low and the only alternative was to use a computer.

At $399, the Control is roughly twice as expensive as an iPod touch and lacks the general-purpose features of Apple's player. Most of those that can get a Sonos also already have a smartphone or tablet that could fill in for Sonos' self-produced peripheral.

By Electronista Staff

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