Sonos update adds AirPlay-like features, play direct from your iPhone or iPad

Sonos has updated its wireless music system to allow iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users using iOS 6 to instantly wirelessly stream tracks from their iTunes music collection without the need to physically connect their iDevice.

Currently Sonos users not using a music service like Spotify or Napster have to have tracks locally stored on a hard drive connected to the network that the Sonos system can see, or opt for the £100 iPhone dock to access tracks on their phone.

This update changes that. Now the iOS software is able to dip in your phone to see the tracks that you've got stored on it as long as they aren't DRM protected.

It also means that you can now stream podcasts from your Apple phone or tablet without having to store them locally.

Although not officially Apple AirPlay, it is as good as.

"Simple, clean, and seamless, favourite tracks and artists are available instantly in multi room Hi-Fi sound, putting an end to situations where music may sometimes never leave an iPhone or iPad," Sonos tells us on the new feature.

Of course when your iPhone goes to sleep, the tracks you've queued won't be affected.

No word on whether the feature will be coming to the Android controller.

The new update should be available shortly.

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