Abstract: Generative media content (e.g., generative audio) can be played back across multiple playback devices concurrently. A coordinator device can receive a multi-channel stream of media content, with at least some channels comprising generative media content. The coordinator device transmits each of the channels to a plurality of playback devices. A first playback device plays back a first subset of the channels according to first playback responsibilities and a second playback device plays back a second subset of the channels according to second playback responsibilities. The first and/or second playback responsibilities can be dynamically modified over time, for example in response to one or more input parameters.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to cloud queue synchronization. An example implementation may involve a playback device receiving, from a cloud computing system, data representing a play message comprising: (i) a play pointer representing a particular media item; (ii) an indication of one or more media items, the one or more media items including the particular media item; and (iii) a universal resource identifier (URI) representing a location of the particular media item at one or more servers of a streaming audio service. The playback device queues the one or more media items in a local queue stored in data storage of the playback device, streams the particular media item, and plays back the particular media item. After beginning playback of the particular media item, the playback device sends a playback started message comprising the play pointer, the play pointer representing the particular media item as the currently playing media item.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that involve a media playback system playing back a playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode. In one aspect, a playback device is provided that includes a network interface, one or more media processing components, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium with program instructions stored thereon. The program instructions are executable by at least one processor to cause the media playback device to: add one or more items to a playback queue of the media playback device, where the one or more items include a continuous-playback item including at least one media item, play back the playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode, where playing back the playback queue according to the continuous-playback mode involves: detecting a continuous-playback trigger, and based on the detected continuous-playback trigger, adding at least one additional media item to the continuous-playback item.

Abstract: Disclosed example configurations include a playback device configured to, among other features, (i) receive reference clock timing; (ii) receive two or more data streams, where each data stream includes audio content and playback timing; (iii) for each data stream, generate sample-rate adjusted audio content for the data stream by adjusting a sample rate of at least a portion of the audio content of the data stream to compensate for a difference between a rendering clock at the playback device and the reference clock; (iv) generate a mix of the sample-rate adjusted audio content of the two or more data streams at the playback device; and (v) play the mix of the sample-rate adjusted audio content of each data stream based on a clock time of the rendering clock at the playback device and the playback timing information for each data stream.

Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for replacing media items in a queue of a playback device. An example implementation involves receiving, at the playback device, first data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue. The playback device determines that the first media item is no longer accessible to the playback device at a later second time. The playback device initiates a query for a media item similar to the first media item and receives second data indicating that a second media item has replaced the first media item in the queue, the second media item being similar to the first media item. In response, the playback device initiates playback of the second media item on the playback device.

Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of playback devices. Each playback device comprises one or more processors; and one or more storage devices that comprise instruction code that is executable by at least one of the one or more processors. Instruction code executed by one or more processors of a particular primary playback device (PPD) causes the particular PPD to: receive state information from a particular secondary playback device (SPD). The state information specifies a state associated with at least one aspect of the particular SPD. After receiving a subscription from one or more other PPDs for the state of the particular aspect of the particular SPD, the particular PPD communicates the state information that specifies the state of the particular aspect of the particular SPD to the one or more other PPDs.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include network devices and systems of network devices. Some network device embodiments include (i) first and second network interfaces, (ii) a processor(s), (iii) tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium, and (iv) program instructions stored on the tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that are executable by the at least one processor. Execution of the program instructions in some embodiments causes the network device to perform operations comprising (i) operating as part of a group with at least a second network device, (ii) receiving, via the first network interface, a message from a third network device, (iii) obtaining media content based on the message, (iv) transmit, via the second network interface, audio associated with the obtained media content to the second network device, and (v) causing video associated with the obtained media content to be output while the second network device outputs audio associated with the obtained media content.

Abstract: A playback device, comprising a first wireless network interface for operating according to an IEEE 802.15 standard and a second wireless network interface for operating according to an IEEE 802.11 standard, is configured to (i) operate as a group coordinator for a synchrony group comprising a first set of one or more playback devices and a second set of one or more playback devices, (ii) receive media content for playback by the synchrony group, (iii) transmit the media content to the first set of one or more playback devices via the first wireless network interface over a first wireless data network, (iv) transmit the media content to the second set of one or more playback devices via the second wireless network interface over a second wireless data network different from the first wireless data network, and (v) cause the synchrony group to play back the media content in synchrony.

Abstract: An example implementation may involve a group of wearable playback devices including a first wearable playback device and a second wearable playback device. The wearable playback devices render multi-channel audio content according to particular playback responsibilities in the group. When a failure or other issue with the second wearable playback device occurs, the first playback device assumes at least part of the playback responsibility of the second playback device.

Abstract: Low-latency audio networking is disclosed. In one embodiment, an example playback device includes a processor and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor. The example instructions are to cause the first playback device to perform functions comprising: receiving audio information; selecting a first frequency channel of a first spectrum based on a threshold latency associated with the audio information; transmitting to the second playback device via a second frequency channel of a second spectrum, control information that identifies the first frequency channel of the first spectrum; and transmitting to the second playback device via the first frequency channel of the first spectrum, the audio information to be played by the second playback device.

Abstract: Example techniques describe may facilitate a playback device applying a determined audio setting. An example implementation involves a first playback device receiving, over an unsecure network, a message indicating that a second playback device is available to join a playback network, wherein the first playback device is connected to the playback network. Based on a pre-existing configuration table, the first playback device determines an audio setting corresponding to a playback configuration for the second playback device, the playback configuration including the second playback device playing back audio synchronously with the first playback device in the playback network. The first playback device transmits, to the second playback device, one or more messages instructing the second playback device to apply the determined audio setting upon joining the playback network.

Abstract: A first mesh network device is configured to (i) identify a set of wireless communication paths for communication with a second mesh network device, (ii) based at least on a wireless signal strength, determine that a second wireless communication path, and not a first wireless communication path, is to be used for communication with the second mesh network device, (iii) join a synchrony group comprising the first and second mesh network devices, (iv) obtain audio content that is to be played back in synchrony by the synchrony group, (v) transmit the audio content to the second mesh network device over the second wireless communication path; (vi) play back, using an audio amplifier of the first mesh network device, the audio content; and (vii) cause the second mesh network device to play back the audio content in synchrony with the playback of the audio content by the first mesh network device.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein that involve a media playback system playing back a playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode. In one aspect, a playback device is provided that includes a network interface, one or more media processing components, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium with program instructions stored thereon. The program instructions are executable by at least one processor to cause the media playback device to: add one or more items to a playback queue of the media playback device, where the one or more items include a continuous-playback item including at least one media item, play back the playback queue according to a continuous-playback mode, where playing back the playback queue according to the continuous-playback mode involves: detecting a continuous-playback trigger, and based on the detected continuous-playback trigger, adding at least one additional media item to the continuous-playback item.

Abstract: Some disclosed systems and methods include a surround sound controller and one or more wireless headphones that switch between operating in various modes. In a first mode, the surround sound controller uses a first MCS to transmit first surround sound audio information to a first pair of headphones. In a second mode, the surround sound controller uses a second MCS to transmit (a) the first surround sound audio information to the first pair of headphones and (b) second surround sound audio information to a second pair of headphones. In operation, the first MCS corresponds to a lower data rate at a higher wireless link margin than the second MCS.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to cloud queue synchronization. An example implementation may involve a playback device receiving, from a cloud computing system, data representing a play message comprising: (i) a play pointer representing a particular media item; (ii) an indication of one or more media items, the one or more media items including the particular media item; and (iii) a universal resource identifier (URI) representing a location of the particular media item at one or more servers of a streaming audio service. The playback device queues the one or more media items in a local queue stored in data storage of the playback device, streams the particular media item, and plays back the particular media item. After beginning playback of the particular media item, the playback device sends a playback started message comprising the play pointer, the play pointer representing the particular media item as the currently playing media item.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for replacing media items in a queue of a playback device. An example implementation involves receiving, at the playback device, first data indicating an addition of a first media item to a queue. The playback device determines that the first media item is no longer accessible to the playback device at a later second time. The playback device initiates a query for a media item similar to the first media item and receives second data indicating that a second media item has replaced the first media item in the queue, the second media item being similar to the first media item. In response, the playback device initiates playback of the second media item on the playback device.

Abstract: A device is configured to (i) receive media content from a media source, (ii) generate a first series of frames including first portions of the media content and first playback timing information, (iii) generate a second series of frames including second portions of the media content and second playback timing information, (iv) transmit the first series of frames to a first playback device in a synchrony group for playback of the first portions of the media content in accordance with the first playback timing information, and (v) transmit the second series of frames to a second playback device in the synchrony group for playback of the second portions of the media content in accordance with the second playback timing information such that the media content is played back in synchrony by the synchrony group.

Abstract: Devices, system, and methods are disclosed for provisioning devices over a cloud network in accordance with modifications to operational settings of a media playback system. In example embodiments, a first playback device is configured to identify a change to a property of an operational setting of the media playback system at a first geographic location of the media playback system, and based on the identified change, (i) locally provision itself in accordance with the identified change to the property of the operational setting, (ii) cause a cloud computing device located outside of the media playback system to be provisioned in accordance with the identified change to the property of the operational setting, and (iii) cause the cloud computing device to initiate provisioning of a second playback device at a second geographic location in accordance with the identified change to the property of the operational setting at the first geographic location.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein involve a first playback device, associated with a first household, where the first playback device is configured to mirror a playback queue that is associated with a second playback device, where the second playback device is associated with a second household. For instance, a device associated with the first household, such as a controller, may send a command to the first playback device to mirror the playback queue associated with the second playback device. Based on the received command, the first playback device may mirror the playback queue that is associated with the second playback device such that contents of a playback queue that is associated with the first playback device are the same as contents of the playback queue that is associated with the second playback device.