Doesn't make sense to me...

[sawdin]

I will be purchasing a Duet or Touch this summer, after I relocate. But the Touch seems 'out of touch'. I just read an early review that sums up my feelings:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10332579-1.html
"Sounds like this $300 model could be the one-room Sonos killer we've long been longing for--except for the fact that the touch screen is built into the base unit. That means you're stuck with either getting up and walking over to it whenever you want to change a tune or pick a new stream, or opting for the little wireless remote (which provides far less detailed control than the touch screen). Why Logitech went this route instead of opting for a touch screen remote that you could hold in your hand is anyone's guess."

Why in heck didn't they just upgrade the DAC in the Duet and offer it with a Touch controller? Do you know if Logitech might be going in that direction?

[JJZolx]

Why in heck didn't they just upgrade the DAC in the Duet and offer it with a Touch controller? Do you know if Logitech might be going in that direction?

Sounds like a reasonable next step for the Duet. With the move to SqueezeOS and SqueezePlay, though, I don't expect any new ip3k based players to be released. It would require a total redesign of the Receiver, as it would need to have the new CPU and new operating system, so wouldn't be as simple as just upgrading the DAC. I'd expect it might be a bit more expensive, as well. But given all the connectivity and stability problems with the Duet, I'm not sure if we'll see a new version.

The Touch is the replacement in the product line for the Squeezebox Classic. Consider the touch screen capabilities to be an 'extra'. You still have an IR remote, which can be your primary (or only) means of input. And it remains the same price as the Classic.

[aubuti]

Right. And the part in the review that says the IR remote "provides far less detailed control than the touch screen" is completely incorrect. The menus for the IR remote and the touchscreen are exactly the same, except the fonts are bigger for the IR remote. So the level of "control detail" is exactly the same. And if you want a touch screen you can hold in your hand, get an iPhone or iPod Touch + iPeng app.

Likewise, calling it the "one-room Sonos killer" is off the mark, because it's every bit as much multi-room as the rest of the SB line.

[Mnyb]

And you can buy a controller to use with the Touch to (it controls all squeezebox players ).
Or get an iPhone or Andriod app. or use you computer.

[andynormancx]

Also, that isn't a review at all. The "reviewer" hasn't used the unit, they are just commenting on the news that Logitech was planning to release the Touch, so they have no idea how well it will work when controller by the remote.

[toby10]

What would be awesome is a two piece Touch:
1. base unit (all audio connections, acts as a charging cradle)
2. Touch screen (removable from base unit)

And, of course, with an MSRP of $199.

[JohnSwenson]

Of course both the player and the Touch remote then need a processor, memory etc. The "remote Touch screen" IS the whole Touch minus one DAC chip and a couple crystals.

For some reason there seems to be the feeling that you can just take the screen off the Touch and put it in a separate box and it would cost $50.

If you did the removable screen player concept it would cost $500 - $600.

The way it is now the people that will be using the Touch in a way where they will be interacting directly with it get to do so without the added expense and the people that want a fancy hand held touch remote have several options at various price points.

John S.

[Mr_Sukebe]

Can't you control the Touch using either the duet handset or via say an iPhone, making this a bit of a moot question?

[Danione]

Yes, from what I gather, it is controllable either via the IR handset, the Duet Controller, or with apps like iPeng on the iPhone/iTouch.

[JohnSwenson]

Yes, the Touch player can be controlled via any of the squeezebox control methods. This is why I don't see the current configuration as a problem. Those that want to control the Touch directly can do so without paying for a remote controller, and those that want a sophisticated remote control can purchase one of the numerous options.

John S.