Sonos has made a name for itself as a wireless home audio system. The problem is,up until today, that you still needed to plug something into the router . What’s new today? Sonos has come good on its promise, letting you drop that pesky “last cable” completely. The update means you can set up your Sonos system on your home WiFi network just like your phone, TV or anything else. Via the mobile app, punch in the credentials, and let all your Sonos speakers sort themselves out.
Sonos is finally cutting the cord. A software update (version 5.1) made available today for the multiroom streaming speaker system will allow customers to connect directly to a Wi-Fi network. That will all but eliminate the major caveat that has dogged Sonos since its debut: the fact that the “wireless hi-fi system” required at least one wired connection to a home router. That issue largely ends today. Going forward, Sonos speakers can be completely wireless (save, of course, the power cable) so long as they’re within range of the home’s Wi-Fi router. The only remaining exception: Sonos setups using the Playbar soundbar in 3.1 or 5.1 configurations will still require a wired connection to guarantee airtight synchronization between the main and surround speakers. While the Wi-Fi compatibility makes good on a pledge the company made back in April, a Sonos representative told CNET that the company has been working on the solution for “about 2 years” and that Sonos has done interoperability testing on “every router we can find.” That said, Sonos is advising that existing customers who are happy with their setup “shouldn’t change a thing” — in other words, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
