R.I.P. Squeezebox

Face

For those who haven't heard yet, Logitech has removed all Squeezebox products from their website. Unless they plan on revamping the line, it appears Sonos may be the only alternative.

tonyb

Hard to believe with such a popular product. Question is, how long will they support the software ? Hopefully it won't mean those who just bought one will be sh$t out of luck in the near future.

stretchl

**** bells. I just bought one.

heiney9

I think this all is a little premature. Let's see what shakes out before going all doomsday.

H9

tonyb

Party pooper ^^^^^^^^^^ :cheesygrin::cheesygrin:

heiney9

More like I'm denial (not the river in Egypt).

If this is true, as it appears, I'll cross that bridge when it happens. Even if they never update the SQB software, it can still be used with the products.

H9

strider

tonyb wrote: »

Party pooper ^^^^^^^^^^ :cheesygrin::cheesygrin:

Bu that's why we invited him!:cheesygrin:

steveinaz

There has been rumors floating around for quite awhile about the SQB going away/coming to an end. No big deal, there's plenty of other choices out there now, and it will only increase with time.

nspindel

oops duplicate post

nspindel

Looks like they're rebranding the Squeezebox Radio as an Ultimate Ears product. Which I suppose is good because they really ought to be making the legacy Squeezebox Radio compatible with whatever plans they have. I can't see them writing a whole new back end for it, as SqueezeCenter works perfectly fine with it. I'm fairly certain that as a percent of Squeezebox sales, the Radio was doing far better than the Touch or certainly than the Transporter. If so, they'd have to really be out to screw people over if they make the current hardware incompatible with forthcoming versions of UECenter, or whatever they'll rebrand it to. Even so, 99% of what I do with squeezebox is to play my local library, and there's no reason I can't continue happily doing that regardless of Logicrap's plans.

Look familiar?? :

http://ue.logitech.com/en-us/smart-radios

vc69

What would be the disadvantage to scoring one now? Are they faily stable software wise? And what is similar alternative in a stand alone device? I was very near buying one to try with the DAC.

nspindel

If your intent is to stream your local music library, then there is little risk in purchasing a Squeezebox Touch now. However, the Touch is also able to connect to music services, i.e. Rhapsody, Spotify, etc. It's unknown if support for such services would continue. So the risk would be if you are looking for a good front end for such online services, interfaces into these services change without the needed fixes from Logitech. In my case, I do a bit of online streaming with the Radio, but not really any of the music services, I just listen to internet radio stations. I'm cautiously optimistic that the legacy Squeezebox Radio will continue to be compatible with whatever Logicrap's going to do, given how similar it is to their "new" product. If my Touch can no longer stream Rhapsody, it's no skin off my back. As long as it can still stream my flacs, that's all I care about it being able to do.

Emlyn

I love the two that I have and use them every day. But, they are becoming redundant with so many cheaper laptop/tablet and smart phone options available for the way most people would use one. Seems a lot of people are using a tablet or smart phone to control the Squeezebox already anyway. It makes more sense to me to have an all in one unit like a radio for the mass market, and I wish Polk would develop something like that.

I may buy another Squeezebox or two before they really are killed off (if they are doing that). I checked Amazon and the price still seems to be the same as before. They are very stable with the J River FLAC setup I'm using. It wasn't as stable with iTunes tagging, which may be another reason Logitech might be killing it.

nspindel

If you look at the video in the link I posted, it would appear to me that this UE Radio is literally the Squeezebox Radio rebadged as UE. Watching the video of them controlling it, the interface appears to be identical. Given that, I fail to see any reason why they would launch a new software back-end for it, they'll probably just rename it UECenter instead of SqueezeCenter, or something cunning like that. I would think they'd need to be maliciously motivated in order to take that software platform and remove the compatibility with the other legacy Squeezebox devices.

nspindel

Emlyn wrote: »

I may buy another Squeezebox or two before they really are killed off (if they are doing that).

I've got six. I'm done:biggrin:

coolsax

if you read the logitech forum posts from my OP in the other post a current employee goes over the new system a little. They're more than just rebadged they are completely taking LMS out of the loop. you can still stream from your local library, but it won't be compatible with the current LMS that everyone has. they are putting they are essentially putting the server functions in the cloud. which means it sounds like you might not need to have anything running on a PC, however you also won't be able to have functions such as randomize. They also aren't going to put out a comparable to SB touch version in the near future it seems.

Emlyn

nspindel wrote: »

I've got six. I'm done:biggrin:

They seem to be selling on Amazon pretty well today. Looks like 5 gone in the last hour, with 12 left. Of course, there are other marketplace sellers.

nspindel

You might see them start to shoot up in value once current inventory sells off. When google bought SageTV and closed down sales of the extenders, the price shot up on eBay.

steveinaz

FOR SALE: Squeezebox Touch, minty fresh, $28,735.13 shipped.

pearsall001

I'm safe!!!

nspindel

steveinaz wrote: »

FOR SALE: Squeezebox Touch, minty fresh, $28,735.13 shipped.

Steve after all that time we spent helping you get that thing set up, you'd better be cutting us in on the deal!

heiney9

Here is a lengthy but informative thread about what's happening.

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?96188-New-Squeezebox-Radio

H9

FTGV

I was considering jumping on board ,might still if there is a mass exodus and users start dumping them for reasonable prices.

heiney9

Looks like LMS support will be continued for the near future say 2-4 years according to the thread I posted.

H9

steveinaz

You notice my CEC transport has never been offered for sale. Now you know why.

brgman

I guess it's time to start the Vintage Squeezebox forum.

wingnut4772

Noooooooooooo! I love my Squeezebox! What are they thinking?

ruckus1027

Okay, so I read this thread and went over the slimdevices thread. I am very new to these, so pardon my ignorance. Anyways I am planning to use my laptop as a data source. I was thinking a Squeezebox classic or the hrt streamer 2 usb dac. They're in the price range I am willing to spend. I am mainly going to be using it to play flac files and pandora through the laptop.

I was more leaning towards the Squeezebox classic, however, with this recent news should I just opt for the HRT 2? The more I hear about the phasing out of the SB, I'm starting to lean towards the HRT 2.

PS any other possible solutions I may have in this price range and quality? Thanks guys.

mdaudioguy

heiney9 wrote: »

Looks like LMS support will be continued for the near future say 2-4 years according to the thread I posted.

H9

Whether it's supported by Logitech, or not, is probably of of little consequence, since it's open source software. No doubt the open source community will keep it going.

Drenis

Why do I always buy into products that are discontinued or decommissioned after a years time... Can't help but feel a little angry.

tonyb

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Whether it's supported by Logitech, or not, is probably of of little consequence, since it's open source software. No doubt the open source community will keep it going.

True to an extent, but some things still won't work and who wants a product thats suddenly limited ? Something else will come along to take it's place and just watch how many jump ship.