I heard Ifi was considering developing an app. Not sure if that will materialize, but for now Ifi allows for control only via web browser, like Volumio. From what I can tell, the web browser can only select media servers and web radio at the moment. So, no Qobuz tie-in to operate Oobuz within the web browser controls. Looks like you'll need Roon, Bubble UPNP, or similar to stream from Qobuz for now.
Once Chromecast support rolls out via firmware update, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and Apple Music will all be cast-able directly from their respective apps on iPhone and Android (Apple Music is already playable via Airplay but only on iPhone). I know that Qobuz is considering creating a Qobuz Connect. Like Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, my guess is that the "Connect" services are ways to streamline the coding required by streamer manufacturers to accept streams from the service, as well as a good business move to retain users on their respective apps.
I'm not certain Qobuz (or Tidal) users will ever have the option to leave the Qobuz app for a Zen Stream app. The big companies--Amazon, Google, Apple, Spotify--don't want their users to leave their apps, and they are finding ways to keep users on their apps. I believe HiFi will be dragged into that reality eventually. I agree that it's 2021, but I believe that means HiFi streamer manufacturers will only run the software protocols required to receive streams from the streaming services. HiFi streamer software will likely lose ground from here as the streaming services seek to contain their users on their platforms and control their users' experience.
@jond and @fuzztoneWhat advantage do you feel you receive by tying in your streaming services instead of using the app your streaming services already provide? Is it to see your local music library alongside your cloud services?
I've been casting from the Qobuz app for the last couple years. I always viewed the streamer manufacturers as having a software disadvantage vs the music service providers. It seems to me that the music service providers will almost certainly provide a better user experience directly from their own apps.
Once Chromecast support rolls out via firmware update, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and Apple Music will all be cast-able directly from their respective apps on iPhone and Android (Apple Music is already playable via Airplay but only on iPhone). I know that Qobuz is considering creating a Qobuz Connect. Like Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect, my guess is that the "Connect" services are ways to streamline the coding required by streamer manufacturers to accept streams from the service, as well as a good business move to retain users on their respective apps.
I'm not certain Qobuz (or Tidal) users will ever have the option to leave the Qobuz app for a Zen Stream app. The big companies--Amazon, Google, Apple, Spotify--don't want their users to leave their apps, and they are finding ways to keep users on their apps. I believe HiFi will be dragged into that reality eventually. I agree that it's 2021, but I believe that means HiFi streamer manufacturers will only run the software protocols required to receive streams from the streaming services. HiFi streamer software will likely lose ground from here as the streaming services seek to contain their users on their platforms and control their users' experience.
@jond and @fuzztoneWhat advantage do you feel you receive by tying in your streaming services instead of using the app your streaming services already provide? Is it to see your local music library alongside your cloud services?
I've been casting from the Qobuz app for the last couple years. I always viewed the streamer manufacturers as having a software disadvantage vs the music service providers. It seems to me that the music service providers will almost certainly provide a better user experience directly from their own apps.