Abstract: Embodiments are provided for intelligently activating an amplifier in a playback device based on proximity detection. The playback device may be in a quasi-idle state when the playback device is not rendering media content. The quasi-idle state of the playback device may involve an amplifier in the playback device being inactive, while some other components or modules of the playback devices remain active. The playback device may include a proximity sensor configured to detect movement relative to the playback device. If movement is detected indicating that a user input to cause the playback device to render media content is anticipated, the amplifier may be pre-emptively activated such that the playback device enters an active state from the quasi-idle state. In some cases, the playback device may send a message to one or more other playback devices to cause the other playback devices to enter an active state.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a first playback device rendering audio content. The example implementation may also involve the first playback device detecting that a second playback device has been connected to a playback system. After detecting that the second playback device has been connected to the playback system, the first playback device may determine a playback responsibility associated with the second playback device. The determined playback responsibility may include a grouping with the first playback device. After determining the playback responsibility associated with the second playback device, the first playback device may direct the second playback device to render the audio content.

Abstract: An example implementation may include causing a group of one or more playback devices to render first audio content. The example implementation may also include displaying an indication of second audio content, the second audio content comprising two or more songs. The example implementation may further include receiving first input data indicating a request to audition the second audio content; and in response to the request to audition the second audio content, rendering at least one of the two or more songs while the group of one or more playback devices is rendering the first audio content.

Abstract: An example method may include displaying, by a network device, an indication of a first audio content and an indication of a second audio content; receiving, by the network device, first input data indicating a request for the first audio content to be played by a group of one or more playback devices; causing, by the network device, the group of one or more playback devices to render the first audio content; receiving, by the network device, second input data indicating a request to audition the second audio content using the network device; and in response to the request to audition the second audio content, rendering, by the network device, the second audio content while the group of one or more playback devices is playing the first audio content. An example network device and an example non-transitory computer-readable medium related to the example method may also be disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to render an audio content according to a first playback responsibility that involves rendering both (a) a left channel of an audio content and (b) a right channel of the audio content, detect an instruction to form a stereo pair with another network device; render the audio content according to a second playback responsibility that involves rendering one of (a) the left channel of the audio content or (b) the right channel of the audio content; while rendering the audio content according to the second playback responsibility, detect a failure of the another network device; and render the audio content according to the first playback responsibility.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for smart configuration of audio settings for a playback device. According to an embodiment, when a user adjusts the audio settings of a playback device during the playback of a song or track, the user is warned if the currently playing song is “atypical” relative to other audio content. According to another embodiment, audio settings for a playback device are dynamically adjusted based on an audio profile of the audio that is played. According to yet another embodiment, audio settings are replicated onto other playback devices on a playback network.

Abstract: A first playback device may include a processor and data storage including program code that, when executed by the processor, causes the first playback device to: playback a first audio content in synchrony with at least one second playback device; receive a command to play back a second audio content; stop playback of the first audio content based on the received command; and after stopping playback of the first audio content, play back the second audio content for a predefined duration of time. The program code may then cause the first playback device to: (i) after playing back the second audio content, resume playback of the first audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device, or (ii) play back the second audio content in synchrony with the at least one second playback device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to cause a plurality of playback devices to render audio content in a synchronized manner, detect a failure of a first playback device of the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the first playback device, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a second playback device of the plurality of playback devices. The systems and methods may further be configured to detect an addition of a new playback device to the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the new playback device for rendering the audio content, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a one playback device from the plurality of playback devices.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for intelligently activating an amplifier in a playback device based on proximity detection. The playback device may be in a quasi-idle state when the playback device is not rendering media content. The quasi-idle state of the playback device may involve an amplifier in the playback device being inactive, while some other components or modules of the playback devices remain active. The playback device may include a proximity sensor configured to detect movement relative to the playback device. If movement is detected indicating that a user input to cause the playback device to render media content is anticipated, the amplifier may be pre-emptively activated such that the playback device enters an active state from the quasi-idle state. In some cases, the playback device may send a message to one or more other playback devices to cause the other playback devices to enter an active state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for playback of audio content in an “audition mode.” A system may be providing audio content to be rendered by a group of playback devices, when receiving a request to audition a second audio content with at least one playback device from the group of playback devices. The system may then suspend rendering of the first audio content at the at least one playback device, and provide the second audio content to be rendered by the at least one playback device for a duration of time. Upon exiting audition mode, either by completion of the second audio content, expiration of the duration of time, or request to exit audition mode, the system may resume rendering of the first audio content by the at least one playback device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to cause a plurality of playback devices to render audio content in a synchronized manner, detect a failure of a first playback device of the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the first playback device, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a second playback device of the plurality of playback devices. The systems and methods may further be configured to detect an addition of a new playback device to the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the new playback device for rendering the audio content, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a one playback device from the plurality of playback devices.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for smart configuration of audio settings for a playback device. According to an embodiment, when a user adjusts the audio settings of a playback device during the playback of a song or track, the user is warned if the currently playing song is “atypical” relative to other audio content. According to another embodiment, audio settings for a playback device are dynamically adjusted based on an audio profile of the audio that is played. According to yet another embodiment, audio settings are replicated onto other playback devices on a playback network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for audio device playback failure recovery and redistribution. The systems and methods may be configured to cause a plurality of playback devices to render audio content in a synchronized manner, detect a failure of a first playback device of the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the first playback device, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a second playback device of the plurality of playback devices. The systems and methods may further be configured to detect an addition of a new playback device to the plurality of playback devices, determine a playback responsibility of the new playback device for rendering the audio content, and cause an adjustment of the rendering of the audio content by at least a one playback device from the plurality of playback devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for playback of audio content in an “audition mode.” A system may be providing audio content to be rendered by a group of playback devices, when receiving a request to audition a second audio content with at least one playback device from the group of playback devices. The system may then suspend rendering of the first audio content at the at least one playback device, and provide the second audio content to be rendered by the at least one playback device for a duration of time. Upon exiting audition mode, either by completion of the second audio content, expiration of the duration of time, or request to exit audition mode, the system may resume rendering of the first audio content by the at least one playback device.