I have to make my voice heard in this too. Can only agree with what everyone has already said that the USP that B&O has had for many years is about to disappear. I became a customer for ease of use and that it was possible to build systems of their products. The stability of the system has disappeared and system thinking is on the way. Then there is only design and good speakers left.

Many have raised the point that "touch to join" disappears, but the biggest limitation is that the source is moved from the product to the phone. Today, the radio switches on in the kitchen in the morning and then it is on regardless of who is in the kitchen. If I want to listen to the radio in other parts of the house I use "touch to join".

Many have already written how they are considering other systems and I myself am completely on Sonos, but keep B&O's speakers in large rooms. It will be an investment and as someone pointed out that the older products with ML become obsolete. Can be considered, but it stops new purchases of B&O until I understand better.

Moningsand wrote:

source is moved from the product to the phone

Very good point too, and I'll add DLNA support missing to the list too as some of us, me included, have very large digital music libraries that they want to play without a fatphone in the middle.

And indeed with the sources moved from the product to the phone, what exactly will the new remote do?

Playback controls at a basic level - plus a few google assistant presets?

Excellent progress.

mbolo01 wrote:

Moningsand wrote:

source is moved from the product to the phone

Very good point too, and I'll add DLNA support missing to the list too as some of us, me included, have very large digital music libraries that they want to play without a fatphone in the middle.

Sandyb wrote:

And indeed with the sources moved from the product to the phone, what exactly will the new remote do?

Playback controls at a basic level - plus a few google assistant presets?

Excellent progress.

I, too am wondering,  what will be the ‘progress’ there.

Maybe it’s just a Google Mini/B&O Edition.......with a couple of touch controls and a small status display.

MM

Indeed, and I'm neither too excited by the Halo, nor do I care that much.

It wont provide a browsing experience for music most likely, and I suspect its control of the TV experience will be pretty limited.

It will of course be able to control NL products, so may provide some ability to start some music (not with the Balance of course).

But most / all of that functionality will be already available in the BR One.

If you view it as just an updated Essence wheelie remote, with a small display - then fine, but not much more, and not progress really in any way.

Millemissen wrote:

Sandyb wrote:

And indeed with the sources moved from the product to the phone, what exactly will the new remote do?

Playback controls at a basic level - plus a few google assistant presets?

Excellent progress.

I, too am wondering,  what will be the ‘progress’ there.

Maybe it’s just a Google Mini/B&O Edition.......with a couple of touch controls and a small status display.

MM

mbolo01 wrote:

Very good point too, and I'll add DLNA support missing to the list too as some of us, me included, have very large digital music libraries that they want to play without a fatphone in the middle.

BS Moment, BS Core, BG 4002, BC 4500, BS1, BL18, BL19, BL8000 + RCV1, A6, M5, M3, A1, P6 (tks Botty), H5, TR1

Speaking with my Bang & Olufsen hat on for a moment and trying to sound as friendly as possible as always! 

This is part of the problem that B&O have. Speculation on products that may or may not be coming from misinformation or bad photos or patent names. 

What it probably has/ should have / doesn't have / will or won't work with etc etc....

A thread of misinformed opinions that damage the release and the excitement of something new that B&O have put a lot of money and time into. 

It's lovely to see people so committed to the brand, it genuinely makes me proud to be a part of it seeing all of the excellent discussions on here and YouTube with like minded people sharing the B&O community.

What certainly doesn't make me proud is the rogue employee that takes or allows poor photos on a phone of an unreleased product to get 5 minutes of fame online for leaking something early. (Beosound Balance springs to mind!) 

This damages the brand, undermines the hard work that goes into a product launch and is really disappointing.

Working in a dealership I get excited when something comes out, I get the pre launch information but the when it arrives there is nothing I like more than experiencing it for the first time and telling everyone about it in store and on YouTube and seeing what the wider community thinks about it. 

There is still no substitute than seeing / hearing/ using a product for yourself if you you're lucky enough to live somewhere near a store. 

Anyway, sorry for the little rant, I know it won't change anything but it's nice to vent every now and again. 

Take care all....John 

ebnrob wrote:

I believe the Yamaha MusicCast replicates most of the network link functionality we have

Thanks Rob, I'll have a look.

John wrote:

Speaking with my Bang & Olufsen hat on for a moment and trying to sound as friendly as possible as always! 

This is part of the problem that B&O have. Speculation on products that may or may not be coming from misinformation or bad photos or patent names. 

What it probably has/ should have / doesn't have / will or won't work with etc etc....

 

A thread of misinformed opinions that damage the release and the excitement of something new that B&O have put a lot of money and time into. 

It's lovely to see people so committed to the brand, it genuinely makes me proud to be a part of it seeing all of the excellent discussions on here and YouTube with like minded people sharing the B&O community.

What certainly doesn't make me proud is the rogue employee that takes or allows poor photos on a phone of an unreleased product to get 5 minutes of fame online for leaking something early. (Beosound Balance springs to mind!) 

This damages the brand, undermines the hard work that goes into a product launch and is really disappointing.

Working in a dealership I get excited when something comes out, I get the pre launch information but the when it arrives there is nothing I like more than experiencing it for the first time and telling everyone about it in store and on YouTube and seeing what the wider community thinks about it. 

There is still no substitute than seeing / hearing/ using a product for yourself if you you're lucky enough to live somewhere near a store. 

Anyway, sorry for the little rant, I know it won't change anything but it's nice to vent every now and again. 

Take care all....John 

 

+1 🤒

I’d agree with John, too.

My post before was meant to be fun.....with a tiny bit of sarcasm in it, I admit.

If John has followed my posts over the years, he should know, that I am one of the loyal B&O fans....I was often enough scolded as being a ‘beofan’ on this forum.

Usually I say ‘yes’ to all that comes from Struer....even if it does not suit my personal needs.

I have no clue, what they will present (soon) - and if I had, my lips certainly were sealed!

I know and have known quite a few of the guys in Struer for quite a while - and I care much for the company.

None the less.........it’s better be something good, something special - to cheer me up ;-)

MM