Sonos controller for BlackBerry and Android

Quick bug fix

I have just uploaded a new build of Tiggit Controller 1-1-4. This has a one character change that fixes a bug where not all zones are linked when performing a link all zones action.

Those that want it, can download by going to http://www.tiggit.com/download

Please make sure that you have build 4027.

I thought it is also useful to share the changes I am working on for release 1.1.5, and give you the opportunity to add things to the list, and comment on the relative importance of these things:

• Use of the media keys – the volume keys on the side of the BlackBerry (etc) to control the volume on the currently active Sonos
• Ability to set screen colours
• Integration with BlackBerry Messenger
• Improve Queue Performance

I am hoping to finalise the list for 1.1.5 sometime soon.

Why do I need to enter IP addresses ?

or, why can’t tiggit controller discover zone players like the Sonos controller ?

This is all down to UDP Ports. Ports are like channels that are used between computers on the network, with a known protocol that is used more information exchange between applications. For example mail tools use a known protocol on port 143, and web browsers users a known protocol on port 80.

Sonos uses a protocol known as Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) to discover the group of zone players that are related to your controller. There is a unique key per “household” which stops you discovering and controlling your neighbours zone players. SSDP uses port 1900 for discovery.

Sadly BlackBerry Smart Phones use port 1900 for something else: 1900 is used for the email attachment download. As a result it is not possible to run SSDP on a BlackBerry and participate in the SSDP protocol. There may be alternative ways to improve discovery, but for now I have drawn a blank on what would be the best route.

New release for iTunes

I have published a new version of Tiggit Controller for iTunes. Not much to comment on, other than it fixes a bug in the search code. It will be live on AppWorld in a little while.

Play 3 – bug fixed

I have now posted Tiggit Controller version 1-1-4. This fixes the problem that has been reported in relation to the Play 3.

The problem is actually caused by an error in the Play 3 device specification XML. The Play 3 says defines it’s icon URL as follows, but in reality the player returns a 404 error.

<icon>
     <mimetype>image/png</mimetype>
          <width>48</width>
          <height>48</height>
          <depth>24</depth>
          <url>/img/icon-zpS3.png</url>
</icon>

The update to Tiggit Controller is a quick fix that stops it getting upset by icon not being available.

One other bi-product of this bug is that the Update mechanism may not work. Users with a Play3 should either turn off the Play 3, restart Tiggit Controller and select update, or use the BlackBerry Browser to navigate to this link to install the new version.

http://www.tiggit.com/tiggitController/release/latest/4.6/tiggitController.jad

Play 3

Yesterday Morten posted that he was experiencing problems using Tiggit Controller with his (new) Play 3. I had not been able to test a Play 3, as I did not have one. I ordered a Play 3 yesterday from Amazon, and it has arrived this morning.

I have managed to reproduce the problem Morten reports, and am working on a new release that will make Tiggit Controller properly compatible with Play 3. I will post here once the new version is available.

Sonos 3.5

I have just updated to Sonos 3.5, and performed some initial testing.

There does not appear to be any compatibility problems using Tiggit Controller 1.1.3 with Sonos 3.5. I need to do some more detailed testing, but for now it looks like there is no need for an update to Tiggit Controller.

I have not yet been able to test with a Play 3, as I don’t yet have one, but again see no reason that there should be a compatibility problem.

Facelift

Those that have upgraded to Tiggit Controller 1.1.2 will already have experienced the new icon for Tiggit Controller. Although there are a couple of important bug fixes there is only one other visual change in 1.1.2, and that is in the Splash screen. The sharp-eyed will notice the addition of “for Sonos” on the splash screen, but I will come back to that.

I thought it might be a good idea to post an early view of the face lift that Tiggit Controller is getting for version 1.2 and see if anyone has any opinions, so here is the new Zone View, snapped from a BlackBerry 9800. As always, post below if you have any thoughts.

The text on the splash screen suggests that there is a new version of Tiggit Controller that might work with something other than Sonos. Well yes, and the target platform is iTunes. Version 1.2 of Tiggit Controller will be released with the same look and feel, but in two versions. One for Sonos and one for iTunes.

Of course it may well be a matter of time before Apple decide that “Tiggit Controller for iTunes” is a copyright violation, but in the meantime I think it is going to be a great product.

Anyone interested in joining as an early adopter for the iTunes project should let me know by email.

couple of fixes

I just posted a new build that has a couple of fixes for radio users

1. You can press the back arrow when the “Selecting Radio Station” popup appears to clear the popup.
2. Display of radio station details is a little cleaner, and the track progress indicator is not displayed, as this is a bit meaningless.

There also a few other minor cosmetic changes, not least of which is a new icon that more accurately represents what tiggit controller does. It is not a great work of art, but I hope this will bring to an end the constant drip of complaining emails about the previous icon.

Existing users can simply select Update from the Zone List menu to install this new version.