Boombotix, a company that successfully made and manufactured a line of speakers that began on Kickstarter, has a new audio app, Boombotix Sync, in development and is seeking funding via a new Kickstarter campaign.
The app, which was inspired by the company's speakers, is designed to allow people to synchronize their music across multiple devices (and multiple Bluetooth speakers) using just a mobile network.
Boombotix Sync is a mobile app that synchronizes music across multiple devices over a mobile network. This new technology unlocks the potential for peer-to-peer mobile surround sound and shared listening. Whether you're orchestrating a mobile flash mob or riding on the bus with a friend discreetly jamming out on your headphones, this app enables us to enjoy music together wirelessly no matter where we are.
In order to share music, each user needs to have a copy of the Boombotix Sync app. One user puts their device in "DJ Mode" which allows their music to be streamed to others that are connected to the channel. All devices must be connected to a network (Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, or LTE). Each device will then play synchronized music, and each device can also connect over Bluetooth to any wireless speaker, like a Jambox or Boombotix's own Rex speakers.
The system allows for multiple Bluetooth speakers to be synced up to play the same music, as long as there is a device for each speaker. As it is impossible for more than one Bluetooth speaker to be hooked up to a single device, the Boombotix Sync app provides a way to hack multiple speakers together, which is perfect for parties and other outdoor listening situations. It's also a useful way for two or more people to listen to the same music across long distances or on multiple devices like headphones.
The app has four modes total, with the DJ Mode allowing the main user to set up a playlist to stream to other users. In Listen Mode, users can sync up with the DJ, and the Nearby DJs mode will display local devices that are set in DJ Mode. At the current point in time, the Boombotix Sync app is designed to work solely with SoundCloud, but the developers have plans to add additional music services in the future.
Boombotix Sync is compatible with the iPhone 4 and later, the iPad mini, and the iPad 2 and later and it also works with any audio accessories paired with those devices, including headphones, stereos, and speakers.
Interested backers can get access to the app for $5, and the company is also offering special deals that pair the app with a wireless speaker for $55 or $100. According to the Kickstarter page, Boombotix expects to have the app ready by December of 2013.
Top Rated Comments
Also, to deal with latency you send the data before it is played. The music is then played at a specified time based on ping or the system time which should be synchronized if they are all iDevices (same time server).