Squeezebox and Transporter maker, Slim Devices , has been purchased by Logitech. Logitech's recent track record with the purchase of Harmony remotes maker Intrigue Technology in 2004 is good – Harmony remotes continue to improve. Based on the Harmony purchase, this bodes well for Slim Devices.

Clearly product distribution will be one of the key benefits of the buy-out. However, we hope to see better integration of remote control technology including capabilities such as remote control display of content on a Squeezebox. An obvious opportunity is bi-directional integration with the recently announced Logitech Harmony 1000.

Logitech also has an existing line of low-end wireless digital music players. At $1,999, the high-end Transporter product clearly stands on it's own. While Logitech's current music product have different goals, with the Squeezebox priced similarly to the Logitech Wireless DJ Music System, it may not be the best time to buy one of the existing Logitech music products

SlimServer, the Slim Devices open source software has been one of the key Squeezebox differentiators. Current plans are to keep that software open. We believe that's pretty important for Squeezebox as much of it's momentum has been boosted through rapid software development, open source integration and add-ons. That, coupled with Slim Device's reputation as a quality product, means Logitech should make careful moves to assure Slim Devices doesn't lose what it has – regardless of what it gains.

TechDigs.net is currently evaluating a couple of Squeezeboxes and will be posting the review soon.