Yamaha is giving customers access to even more streaming and voice control capabilities with a series of upcoming firmware and app updates. Beginning this month, 15 current home audio products, including a soundbar, wireless speakers, and AV receivers, will start offering Apple AirPlay 2 support, Qobuz high-res streaming services, and expanded Spotify Connect capabilities. Additionally, more than 70 Yamaha audio products have gained support for Actions on Google through an update to the Yamaha MusicCast app.
These new capabilities join a growing family of built-in services — including Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM Internet Radio, Deezer, TIDAL, and Napster — as well as features such as high-resolution audio support, voice control via an Alexa device, and WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Firmware updates will also add eARC (enhanced audio return channel) functionality to 23 of its AV receivers.
The upcoming firmware updates include:
- Support for Apple AirPlay 2, adding the ability to stream Apple Music and other streaming services from your iPhone, iPad, HomePod, and Mac to multiple Yamaha devices and other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers. And, with Siri on your iPhone, iPad, HomePod and AirPods, you can control what’s playing in every part of your home with just your voice.
- Actions on Google, enabling voice control of compatible Yamaha devices via the Google Assistant. Now you can use your Google Home, Android, or iOS devices with the Google Assistant app from the App store to control your Yamaha home theater with voice commands, link rooms hands-free, adjust volumes, and more.
- Ability to use Spotify Connect with free Spotify accounts (previously only available for paid subscription-based accounts).
- Qobuz streaming and download service, with playback on updated Yamaha MusicCast devices at true high-resolution up to 192 kHz/24-bit.
- Addition of eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) feature to 2017 and 2018 AV receivers, supporting uncompressed audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, and object-based surround such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Access to Qobuz will be available through the Yamaha MusicCast app, which allows playback on either a single device or on multiple MusicCast devices throughout the home. MusicCast also allows whole home audio playback of the music stored on your mobile devices — and for soundbars and AV receivers — externally connected audio sources such as TV sound.
The firmware updates and MusicCast app updates started on April 16. Those who have registered their products will also receive email notifications when new updates are available. Users will be automatically prompted to install the firmware via the MusicCast app. The schedule is as follows:
Actions on Google
April 16: All MusicCast models introduced since 2015 through an update to the MusicCast app.
AirPlay 2, Qobuz and Spotify Connect updates
Beginning in late April and released by model/series: MusicCast 20 and MusicCast 50 wireless speakers, MusicCast BAR 400 sound bar, RX-A 80 Series AV receivers, RX-V 85 Series AV receivers, RX-S602 slimline AV receiver, ATS-4080 sound bar, TSR-7850 AV receiver, CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor, XDA-QS5400 MusicCast Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier.
Second half of 2019: MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable.
eARC
Beginning in late April and released by model/series: RX-A 80 Series AV receivers, RX-A 70 Series AV receivers, RX-V 85 Series AV receivers, RX-V 83 Series AV receivers, RX-S602 Slimline AV receiver, TSR-7850 AV receiver, TSR-5830 AV receiver, CX-A5200 AV preamp/processor.
