As discussed previously, the playback device may be part of a bonded zone or zone group. In such a case, the pre-caching of the audio content for smoother playback may be performed by each playback device in the bonded zone or zone group when an approach or presence of a user toward any of the playback devices (or control panels of any of the playback devices) in the bonded zone or zone group is detected, such that rendering of the audio content may occur immediately in a synchronized manner. In another example, the pre-caching of the audio content may be performed by a single playback device and distributed to the playback devices of the bonded zone or zone group when an approach or presence of a user toward any of the playback devices or control panels of any of the playback devices in the bonded zone or zone group is detected.

VIII. Conclusion

The descriptions above disclose various example systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture including, among other components, firmware and/or software executed on hardware. However, such examples are merely illustrative and should not be considered as limiting. For example, it is contemplated that any or all of these firmware, hardware, and/or software components can be embodied exclusively in hardware, exclusively in software, exclusively in firmware, or in any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Accordingly, while the following describes example systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture, the examples provided are not the only way(s) to implement such systems, methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture.