In response to what Sonos has achieved in the wireless speaker market, Bowers & Wilkins is beefing up the capabilities of the company’s Formation series wireless speakers. A new music app, announced today, will both simplify setup, usability and expand the range of music services offered for both Android and iOS users.
The new Bowers & Wilkins Music App now supports Qobuz, TIDAL, TuneIn, Dash Radio, NTS Radio and SoundCloud, with more subscription services and streaming platforms to be added in the coming months. High-resolution (24-bit/96kHz) performance is also available via Qobuz.
The Bowers & Wilkins Music App aggregates content from each available music service into one easily browsed and elegant interface to access tracks, albums, playlists and radio stations. Personalized recommendation features and a selection of curated Bowers & Wilkins playlists further enhance the user experience by simplifying and enhancing their daily listening choices.
Initially, the Bowers & Wilkins Music App will operate alongside the existing Bowers & Wilkins Home App, which will continue to provide set-up functionality for Formation-enabled products in the short term. Later in the year, Bowers & Wilkins will combine all App functionality for Formation-enabled products into the Music App to create a unified set-up, control and streaming experience, at which point the existing Home App will lapse.
All other functionality already offered by Formation-enabled products remains current, including AirPlay® 2 and Bluetooth® aptX™ HD support for streaming from mobile devices, integrated support for both Spotify Connect and Roon, plus “Works With Alexa” certification.
The Formation platform is wholly owned by Bowers & Wilkins. The company recently expanded its development resources and engineering team with significant recruitment aimed at expanding its software and user experience skillsets. Going forward, Bowers & Wilkins plans to continue to invest in and expand the capabilities of its Formation-enabled product portfolio to both further improve the user experience and to add new features, including support for popular custom-installation control systems such as Control4.
“I’m delighted to announce this significant extension in the scope and capability of our class-leading Formation technology. The new Music App is a statement of our intent to further develop and improve our Formation-enabled product portfolio and I’m certain it will help us continue to set the gold standard for wireless speaker sound quality going forwards.”
Geoff Edwards, Bowers & Wilkins Brand President
Where to buy:
- Formation Flex: $449 at Crutchfield
- Formation Wedge: $899 at Crutchfield
- Formation Bar: $1199 at Crutchfield
- Formation Bass: $999 at Crutchfield
About Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers & Wilkins, founded in the UK in 1966, has been at the forefront of high-performance audio for more than 50 years. Bowers & Wilkins designs and manufactures precision home speakers, headphones, custom installation and performance car audio products that set new standards for innovation and sound quality, earning countless awards and accolades from the world’s leading recording studios and musicians. Bowers & Wilkins’ reputation is based on the unwavering pursuit of the best possible sound and an unsurpassable music listening experience.
