In hopes to make audio control "as easy as turning on the lights" Bang & Olufsen launches BeoSound Essence at CES 2014-- a circular music control remote installers can either mount on walls or tabletop backplates for use around the home.
The remote part amounts to a 5cm rotating aluminium ring acting as a volume dial with play/pause, track selection and power controls on top. It connects to what B&O calls "a hide-away box," which in turn takes care of AirPlay streaming, DLNA streaming, Spotify Connect, QPlay and other streaming services from PCs, NAS and mobile devices.
"BeoSound Essence is all about giving people easy access to their favorite music in B&O quality," the company claims. "...[W]e have developed the simplest user interface available in the market for people who do not accept a compromise in terms of quality and performance."
Also introduced at CES 2014 is the BeoMusic app for music control via iOS and Android devices.
The Essence remote will hit the market on Q2 2014 with backplates in a variety of colours and materials.
