Sonos software update (version 3.8.3) is now available, allowing music stored on iOS devices to be streamed directly to the company's speakers. While that sounds like AirPlay, it's not. Instead it's a direct device-to-speaker solution for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users running iOS 6 in homes with a proprietary SonosNet audio network. After updating, the free iOS Sonos Controller app will show a new This iPhone menu item allowing you to find just the right track to play from your device's local storage.

Whereas some thought that AirPlay signaled the end of proprietary music streaming solutions like Sonos, the company has continued to thrive, even embracing AirPlay integration via a rather cumbersome setup process that requires a $99 AirPort Express. Of course, Sonos continues to integrate with your complete iTunes library and a wide variety of streaming music services like Rdio, Deezer, Pandora, and Spotify, to name just a few. But in the age of iTunes Match and competing music synchronization services from Amazon and Google, having one more way to spread music around the home is always welcome news.