How far is the distance for WhatsApp web and phone, or is the only requirement an internet connection?
Phone still needs a good WiFi coverage from your router in order to keep connected to WA web. There is no relation between your phone and WA web except only the QR scan which is done once.In other words, if your phone is downstairs placed beside your router, you are still connected to WA web while you’re upstairs.
What are some good alternatives to the Sonos product line/ecosystem?
This is a question about wireless speakers. To clarify, there are no wireless speakers, even the Sonos have to be powered from a nearby outlet. The wireless refers to how the signal is distributed to a number of speakers and here is where the Sonos excel. They are using a powerful WiFi mesh network that does not rely on intermittent, weak or crowded WiFi home networks as some competitors. The multitude of Airplay audio components on the market are a good alternative if used properly. Airplay compatible receivers usually have a network jack so you can use the wired network in your house rather than WiFi for music distribution. You can use it with audiophile quality speakers and amplifiers.It is still a question of overall integration with other AV systems and the very important issue of control interface. The Sonos solutions are again very good at answering this questions but other solutions from your local AV and automation professional might give you better sound or functionality. I hope Sonos keeps on improving and stays on top by listening to the users demands. Other companies did not and in the process they lost the market to Sonos.As a piece of audio history, Yamaha had in 2002 a product called musicCast witch shortly evolved into a system that could distribute sixteen different songs to sixteen different rooms or group the sound in party mode. It was super reliable, user friendly and based on a dedicated server.This picture shows the first iteration of the server and client station. It all ended when they did not respond fast enough to trends in sourcing the music from the Internet and the multitude of portable music players.I have to give Yamaha the credit it deserves and note they just announced the reintroduction of the musicCast line three days ago (9-01-2015)I hope more companies will bring reliable audio distribution solutions to the market and play nice with products from other vendors. It is important to mention that in the audiophile market there are many solutions with many established vendors. It is however a specialised segment where most of the consumers need the advice or full help from a professional. Focusing on the customer rather on the brand and whatever proprietary technology they have might provide the long term commercial success for the vendors in the field.