Android App of the Day: Squeeze Commander (aka Sonos for Droid)
Squeeze Commander, an Android app that enables you to control music on a Logitech Squeezebox system, was the first app I bought for my Droid last November (the second was Beautiful Widgets… beautiful sun and clouds!). I’ve been a huge Squeezebox fan for years, way before they were acquired by Logitech, who did the right thing and maintained the successful formula: open source music software combined with a variety of supported devices.
Squeezebox is a music streaming device you connect to the home stereo. Software, called SqueezeCenter (don’t ask me what all this “squeeze” stuff means) is then installed on your PC. It’s an easy process, and before you know it, you can stream all of your music, plus Internet radio, podcasts to your home stereo.
We have speakers throughout the home, and I really enjoy changing up the mood. American Idiot gets its fair share of rotation, especially before we head out to theater. Other times we enjoy classical on weekends. Or Buddy Holly. U2. Vienna Teng and Dido (for Loni…). Then there’s the odd electronica, new age, groovy salad-type stuff that makes us feel like we’ve departed planet earth.
Squeeze Commander is the icing on the cake.
Now, I can control the entire system from the palm of my hand using trusty Droid. And the software is extremely well executed, supporting swiping of screens, pop up menus, large format album art (for me, essential). It’s fast, allowing me to scroll through hundreds of artists on the server upstairs with the flick of a finger.
It’s the ultimate remote control.
The feature list is deep. You can control all the requisite playback features including: skip song, volume, pause, power. All the playlist capability is here, too. You can add songs, delete, change playback order.
All that alone would make Squeeze Commander decent, but the developer went even further. Want to bring a song with you? Simply download it from the server to your SD card on the Droid using a long press. Also, it supports multiple players and servers, can connect to MySqueezeBox.com, support apps. Another clever feature: the system can auto mute when you receive a call on the phone.
Sonos, a more expensive, but superb alternative, offers similar functionality via an Apple iPhone.
If you’re already a Squeezebox owner, this is a must download. At $4 it is a bargain, and the developer has delivered a high quality app.
If you’re in the market for a whole house (or single room) audio solution, Logitech Squeezebox warrants strong consideration.
For over 10 years now it’s filled the home with everything from Duran Duran and Echo & The Bunnymen, to Green Day, Gwen Stefani and Bizet.
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