Philips Pronto have announced a new firmware and software release that allows dealers to integrate Sonos multi-room audio systems quickly and easily into a CI project. The new module is available alongside the latest PEP2.4 (ProntoEdit Professional) software which also features an iPhone style user interface capability amongst a host of improvements to improve Pronto functionality and the overall homeowner experience.

“Sonos systems can now be brought under the control of a Pronto system without the need for any special hardware, additional PC’s or the use of the proprietary Sonos controller” says Stuart Tickle, Managing Director at AWE Europe. “The module simply needs to be dragged and dropped into a project when programming. Because of the popularity of Sonos, this is a major breakthrough for dealers enabling them to provide a single controller in rooms where system control is also needed. It will help them add integration value to more projects using both Pronto and Sonos. It’s what the market has been asking for, and we’re delighted that we can now deliver that solution”.

This new Sonos module results from the enhanced UPnP (Universal Plug and Play)/ DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) compatibility within PEP2.4 which also enables the development of more two-way integration modules in the future. The UPnP discovery mechanism embedded within the software's ProntoScript library will help the Pronto control panel automatically find IP devices on the network. The upgraded PEP2.4 software will also help Pronto control and access content from TwonkyMedia-based equipment – one of the most popular UPnP servers on the market.

Philips Pronto has also improved the user interface experience. A new Gestures feature in PEP 2.4 will allow advanced dealers to create iPhone style interfaces for a range of common functions, including super-fast scrolling of song lists and sliding volume control.
 
Other improvements in PEP 2.4 will make programming much easier and quicker for dealers. These include:

• Re-sizeable and dockable windows to assist in more complex programming tasks, such as, creating user interface graphics.
• Display and editing of multiple pages on a single screen to help with smoother, faster programming workflow. 
• Re-usable macros. Once set up and used, programming macros can be simply stored and re-used when configuring repeated actions in multiple locations in a project.
• Rotary wheel enhancements. Actions can be ascribed to the rotation / counter-rotation of the controller’s rotary wheel eg controlling volume or light levels.
• Improved font selection. Any Windows PC font can now be easily selected and used in PEP2.4. 
• Dynamic user interface. PEP2.4 brings improved dynamic graphic and text property control, adjustment and object manipulation through improvements to ProntoScript.