Mikipidia wrote:

Same for my new bs1 with google assistent, i don’t even intend on using the google bit. There was no way to opt out of this so i had to make a google account to even get through the setup unfortunately. Very bizar New: Beolab 50's, Beolab 18's, Beovision eclipse, Beosound 9000 mk3, Beosound 1 Bronze edition, Beoplay M3.

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Old: Beolab 1's, beolab 2, beovision 10-46, overture 2300, beolab 8000's, beolab 4000's, beovision avant 32" etc. etc.

Google+ is shutting down. Its only their version of Facebook, which failed. Everything else remains

w5bno123 wrote:

You can still configure the Edge, BS1 & BS2 GVA by WiFi via Apple airplay connection as you’ve always been able to avoiding setup by Google. If you setup with Google then all internal sources in the ‘local list’ disappear. The Beoplay app is being closed down and there will be one app for all going forward.

Iam not sure what you mean? I set it up with the beoapp and then it takes you through the steps and then it goes and tells you to download/go further with the google app on your phone. you can't not do this and complete the setup of the bs1ga to my knowledge. I tried every other way and there is nothing obvious how to skip this step in any way.

Rob.B wrote:

Google+ is shutting down. Its only their version of Facebook, which failed. Everything else remains

Yes of course, not directly related to the topic. But just saying than even the giants could close any service anytime.

There is a lot of very well working devices, docks, speakers, accessories with have become useless when developers stopped developing the control app or didn't support recent OS updates. Apple is famous for dropping support on stuff they have sold as the "ultimate solution" at a very high price. Sometimes you just need to have a (not so) old computer around in a drawer being sure to not have updated anything for ages to configure them. But sometimes you expensive speaker or solution become as useless as a Beovision without remote.

Software is the same: Force you to trade your expensive copie with a monthly subscription, or app which use to claim they are free, suddenly transferring features from free to pay without notice.

Philosophically i would say that i would not be against that if it was an additional bonus, bringing more true features, with some garanty of any kind and some sort of commitment on development continuity and services. And the security of having the device able to work as standalone even if the whole internet collapse!

But as long as any internet connected device will be able to freeze in the middle of the night because whatever autoupdate as gone wrong, and news will be filled with big compagnies unable to secure their data and asking you to kindly reset your password or some others like "I'm sorry my speakers was listening to your conversation but it was not on purpose…" I'll pass.

That the connection is mandatory for any subscription to casting services or cloud multi-room, lets say ok. But that you need to connect your speaker and give an account to connect your record player to the speaker with a simple audio cable, this is beyond my understanding. We must have the choice!

I have 2 guesses as to what might be happening here:

1)  Designing software for every edge case (no pun intended 😉) can be expensive.  If designers felt that most users would be using google, why spend the time and money for the app to support non-google users?  Easier (less time and money) to build software with one path (enter google id) vs. 2 (if you have a google id, enter it), plus all the downstream side-effects of having google vs. non-google users.

2)  Google has "heavy handed" licensing that forces licensees to have users create google accounts for all users who purchase products that include their software, regardless of whether they actually use that software.

All in all, these are reasons why I purposely bought a BS2 Mk1, but, unfortunately, there was no Mk1 Edge.  I'm a little worried about the Bang Olufsen account - not so much that they're spying, but what happens if they should "go away"?

About services - this is always a risk - my BS5 doesn't play Spotify anymore.  My Essence/BS2 do not easily play my favorite radio station anymore because the weasels at CBS are trying to create their own internet radio service - Radio.com - and took their stations off TuneIn.  Sure, I can use bluetooth, but that's a lot more hassle than pressing the remote.  I just don't listen to those radio stations anymore.  Yes, this stinks, but what is the solution?  Not buy the products? 

Stan wrote:

1)  Designing software for every edge case (no pun intended 😉) can be expensive. If designers felt that most users would be using google, why spend the time and money for the app to support non-google users?  Easier (less time and money) to build software with one path (enter google id) vs. 2 (if you have a google id, enter it), plus all the downstream side-effects of having google vs. non-google users.

I agree and understand the industrialization logic behind that. But the client should have choice :

- You've paid your product, it's yours, just plug it, pair it and you should be able to listen to music. Period.
- Account to B&O if you want to register your product and have support (as everybody do).
- Account to Google if you want to benefit from google services and value added functionalities.

I've got two Airplay speakers from two different manufacturers. For each one, the app allowing configuration and streaming services are long gone since iOS is past the 10.xxx versions. But each speaker integrate a little web server which allow local config and the aux-in input is totally independent from any connection.

I mean, talking about designing software time and money, what did they need to add as engineering to had the device watch the analog input and kill it if you dont have a google account filled?

So yes, if the article is true, like Mikipedia implies too, I share D.Macri's opinion: I won't buy.