Sony has announced a new line of Wi-Fi-enabled HomeShare products that include speakers, iPhone/iPad Touch speaker docks, and a remote control. The devices will use a 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connection and will be compatible with Sony Blu-ray disc players and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) compatible PCs.
The HomeShare speakers will be available in two different models: the SA-NS400 and the SA-NS300. The HomeShare speakers will connect to a Wi-Fi network to play audio from music libraries or to stream directly through the Internet through services like Slacker Radio or Sony’s own Bravia. Sony as yet to elaborate on the technical specifications of either model, except to say that both will feature a 360-degree directional speaker design and the aforementioned Wi-Fi connectivity. The SA-NS400 should sell for around $300 and the SA-NS300 for about $200. Both will available in March.
In addition to the speakers, Sony also announced the NAS-SV20i and NAS-SV10i iPhone speaker docks. The HomeShare iPhone docks will wirelessly connect to HomeShare speakers over a 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connection or to an existing home theater system. Both support PartyStreaming and come with Bravia Internet video music services built-in. Again, Sony didn’t go into details about what will seperate the two models aside from price: the NAS-SV20i will sell for around $300 and the NAS-SV10i for around $230. The HomeShare iPhone/iPod Touch docks will be available in March. The speaker docks will support playback through Apple’s smartphone as well as the iPod Touch.
Rounding out the lineup is the HomeShare RMN-U1 universal Wi-Fi remote control. The remote will be able to control the whole range of HomeShare audio products as well as certain Sony TVs and Blu-Ray players through DLNA and other home theater components via infrared. The device will allow users to control the music on different HomeShare speakers through a touch-screen. The RMN-U1 universal Wi-Fi remote control will join the HomeShare products for a March release and will sell for around $300.
