The upcoming Onkyo Remote App for Android will allow users to stream audio wirelessly from an Android handset to an Onkyo receiver or hi-fi system. Owners also have access to a wide range of remote control functions from the application.

Once connected to a local wireless network the application will allow users to play music they have stored on an Android device to a networked Onkyo audio system. This will allow owners to hear their music played back with greater power and fidelity than what they have ever heard it from a smartphone.

The Android application allows users to look through networked content without needing to view or operate onscreen menus via a connected TV display. They can simply use the touch screen GUI on the Android device to navigate through menus and control a variety of different functions. These include adjusting volume and tone, and selecting the input source. They can even control the output in individual zones in a multi-room setup.

It will be available next month free of charge from the Android Market, and is compatible with all of the Onkyo 2011 range of network AV receivers. The new TX-8050 stereo network receiver is also compatible. It will be ideal for the company’s TX-NR609 with built in Spotify.

Meanwhile What Hi-Fi Sound and Vision are reporting that a similar application is available for Pioneers 2011 AV range. The iContralAV2 application is already on the Android Market and also the Apple App Store for iOS. It will allow you to control volume, bass, balance, and room settings of your Pioneer receiver.

The Android version will work with Pioneers VSX-921, VSX-1021, VSX-2021, VSX-LX55, SC-LX75 and SC-LX85 multichannel receivers. It will even control some of the company’s Blu-ray players which are the BDP-LX54, BDP-430, BDP-LX53, BDP-333, and the BDP-330.

Do you own an Onkyo receiver?

The new system comes complete with the iPhone/iPod dock sitting on top of the unit, and also has a built-in DAB+ tuner. It also has a FM radio tuner and CD player, and a USB port will enable playback of MPS files from USB flash drives. The unit itself is made with steel front and side panels which are designed to reduce vibrations.

Onkyo’s official website says the name Colibrino comes from the word Colibri, which is Spanish for a tiny rainbow. This explains the variety of bright colors the unit is available in which does include black or white. The Onkyo Active Bass Control promises a smooth natural bass performance whatever the volume.

Speakers with the unit are free-standing, two-way bass-reflex units, which have 10cm diameter woofers. They also have tapered edges which Onkyo promises reduces internal standing waves to improve audio fidelity. You also get a remote control which allows the users to browse, skip and play music tracks on a connected iPhone/iPod, and is set to sell for around £280 in the UK.

Jerry Del Colliano from HomeTheaterReview.com is reporting that both of the new units also offer direct connection with an iPhone or iPod thanks to its front-panel USB port. The port will also support album artwork from your device.

Other upgrades to the new receivers include full networking, and the HT-RC370 gets Audyssey MultEQ XT processing. Users can also take advantage of Onkyo’s free application, which allows you to control the unit with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. Both receivers can support 7.2 surround systems with Audyssey DSX or Dolby Prologic Iiz, while the HT-RC370 has THX’s Select2 certification.

They also support DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD codec’s. Prices for the new receivers come in at $549 for the HT-RC360 and $849 for the HT-RC370. These new updated receivers further widen the choice consumers have with multiple companies bringing out new receiver ranges

Today it has been announced that music streaming service Spotify is now available on the TX-NR609 home cinema receiver. Marc Chacksfield over at TechRadar is reporting that Onkyo are also hinting that more units could have the feature added in the future. You will need a Spotify Premium account to use the service on the receiver.

Head of Hardware Partnerships at Spotify, Pascal de Mul, said in a statement “We’re extremely excited to be working with the legendary engineers from Onkyo, whose sound quality and product excellence is renowned”.

Owners will be able to control their accounts through their TVs, where they can get access to playlists, and what’s new and starred features. There will also be album artwork available, and users can browse the service as much as they want.

This is just another example of how more technology is using the internet to enhance features, and give consumers more choice. As we see more TVs with internet connectivity, manufacturers and service providers find different ways to engage with consumers.

Robert Silva of About.com is reporting that all of the new models have built- in USB ports for iPods or USB flash drives, and are 3D-enabled. The TX-NR509 and TX-NR609 will also come with network connectivity, which will allow for Internet Radio and firmware updates. Both models will also be compatible with an upcoming Onkyo UWF-1 wireless USB adapter.

The three new models will come with a range of features usually found on more expensive models, with Dolby TrueHD, DTS-Master Audio and Audio Return Channel amongst the options. The higher priced TX-NR609 also has Dolby Prologic IIz processing, Audyssey DSX, THX Select2 Plus Certified, six HDMI inputs, and 7.2 channel configuration.

While the TX-NR509 is a 5.1 channel receiver with four 3D compatible HDMI inputs, the lower priced TX-SR309 still features TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. All three models are expected to be in store by April with the TX-SR609 costing $599, TX-NR509 $399, TX-SR309 $299.

Onkyo have also announced the DS-A4 Remote Interactive Dock for iPod/iPhone, this will connect to most AV home cinema receivers, but when used with one of the company’s own units will have extra options using the proprietary RI interface jack. According to ecoustics.com the unit is compatible with all current iPod/iPhone models. This will again be available by April costing $139.

Find the official Onkyo U.S. website here.