SqueezeNetwork

SqueezeNetwork is an innovative add-on that Slim Devices came up with since our last review. SqueezeNetwork allows users to register their Squeezebox players so that they can connect and share favorites without the need for a PC. In this way you can have multiple Squeezeboxes which share favorites and can access them without the need for a PC or the SlimServer software. This is a cool option as in the past the Squeezebox was pretty much useless if your PC crashed or the SlimServer application was not running properly. Now, users can access the thousands of Internet radio stations at any time. More is planned for SqueezeNetwork, but to whet your appetite here are the basics:

• Always-on Internet Radio: You can listen to stored Internet radio streams from Live365, SHOUTcast, radio, or even custom streams you store in the system.
• Always-on News Ticker: You can configure custom RSS news feeds from news providers and web sites directly on the Squeezebox display.
• Pandora: This “music discovery service” is designed to help users find and enjoy music to match their custom tastes. It's powered by the Music Genome Project, which claims to be the most comprehensive analysis of music ever undertaken. You simply enter one of your favorite songs or artists and the system launches a streaming station to explore that part of the music universe. A 90-day trial is included with SqueezeNetwork after which you will need to pay $36/year to continue.

The idea is that Slim Devices will expand SqueezeNetwork to include shared playlists as well as community ratings of music and Internet radio stations. They will also add plug-in downloads through the network for almost limitless expandability of options. SqueezeNetwork has yet to meet its full potential but it may end up being a significant factor in what sets apart the Squeezebox from its competition.

Community

Slim Devices has developed quite a following, including a users forum where you can talk directly to not only other Squeezebox users, but also the owners and the software developers to give feedback, report bugs, or request features. The Squeezebox community is a sight to behold, with nearly 5000 members, 20,000 threads and almost 100,000 posts. Not bad for a small company. The amount of attention a typical user can get from the Slim Devices staff and user base is mind boggling. Weight Watchers and AA have nothing on this support group!

Updated Remote Control (ok, so it’s just one button)

Not much has changed with the remote control since the last time I used it. In fact, you can easily use a Squeezebox2 remote on a Squeezebox v3. The one addition I did note was a new “Favorites” button. This is a welcome addition as it allows you to immediately call up your favorites list – an act that formerly took several arrow clicks. Someone must have made a comment about the blue buttons because they have now been changed to various shades of gray – the red power button being the conspicuous exception.

One change I would formally request (and I make this request of any AV product that doesn’t have it) is for discrete power controls. A separate on and off IR control allows for much easier integration into a universal remote control or system macro. As of right now the workaround to ensuring the on/off state of the Squeezebox is to use the “Play” button control to turn the unit on, and the use the “Power” button to turn it off.

In the event that you truly don’t like the remote control, realize that the Squeezebox can also be controlled by a Sony PSP, Pocket PC, cell phone or Palm PDA. Yeah, I thought that was pretty cool, too.

Conclusions and Overall Perceptions

Slim Devices has taken a great thing and made it even… well, greater. This is one box that should have a prominent place in anyone’s home theater. I am enamored by its upgraded body work and the consistent attention to firmware updates and software upgrades cannot go unnoticed. Slim Devices is a company that is paying attention to its user base and it shows. About the only suggestion I can make for the product is that a single rack space version with discrete power controls and RS-232C control might attract more of the custom install crowd and could be worth a look. Go get yourself a Squeezebox.

Review Addendum
In the review we commented about the lack of RS-232 support, however it has been brought to our attention that the Squeezebox3 can be very effectively controlled via TCP/IP. According to Jeff (via the SlimServer General Discussion forum):

Note that the SlimServer software has a very rich CLI (command line interface), fully controllable via TCP/IP. As such, RS-232 would simply be a more expensive, slower control option. Why use RS-232 when you have TCP/IP, which is faster and built into most control systems today?

I use an AMX NetLinx control system (very commonly used with the custom install crowd). I did an open source module to control the Squeezebox. It's free for the taking. Here's [are] sample screenshot[s]: http://sourceforge.net/project/screenshots.php?group_id=62827