Roland has launched the FP-40, a portable digital piano with built-in Wi-Fi and a companion learning app called Piano Sphere. The piano costs $749 in the US, while Roland has not listed a UAE price or local availability at the time of writing.
Roland FP-40 adds Wi-Fi to a digital piano
The FP-40 is the first Roland piano with built-in Wi-Fi, according to the company’s announcement reported by Music Instrument News. It can connect to a home network after setup, rather than relying only on Bluetooth or a separate adapter.
That connection supports Piano Sphere, which offers step-by-step lessons, real-time feedback, practice plans and a library of songs. The piano records playing history even when the app is not open, and its dedicated Piano Sphere button can flash when the player appears to be struggling with a section.
Roland says the system will also receive wireless updates with new services, features and integrations. The company is working with Skoove, whose learning method sits at the centre of Piano Sphere.
What the Roland FP-40 includes
The 88-key FP-40 uses Roland’s PHA-4 Standard keyboard with fully weighted hammer action, escapement, Ivory Feel keys and a triple-sensor system. Its Piano Reality Sound Engine is designed to reproduce the depth and tonal changes of an acoustic piano, while a redesigned speaker layout adds more low-end depth.
Bluetooth is included for streaming music from a phone or tablet through the piano’s speakers. The FP-40 also supports headphones, a damper pedal, an optional three-pedal setup and USB-C for app integration, charging, USB MIDI and USB audio.
Piano Sphere includes 100 songs and lessons at no extra cost, with more than 1,000 songs and lessons available through an upgrade. The app is free to download for iOS and Android, although Roland has not detailed the price of the expanded content in the announcement.
Roland FP-40 price and UAE availability
The Roland FP-40 is available in black and white and is priced at $749 in the US, according to Roland’s product announcement. That is about AED 2,750 before shipping, taxes or local retailer pricing, using the fixed AED exchange rate; it is not a UAE retail price.
Roland’s UAE-facing pages and local retailer search results do not currently show an FP-40 listing or confirmed AED price. Existing Roland digital pianos in the UAE vary considerably by model: for comparison, Amazon UAE lists the FP-E50 at AED 3,699, while UAE listings for the FP-10 are lower. Those are different instruments and are not a guide to the FP-40’s eventual local price.
The FP-40 is available to buy in the US, but UAE orderability remains unconfirmed. Roland’s official FP-40 page was not available when checked, so prospective UAE buyers will need to wait for a local dealer listing or check with Roland’s regional distributor.
Read tbreak’s guide to the best power banks in the UAE, because even pianos eventually run into the limits of cables and batteries.
Watch Roland’s FP-40 and Piano Sphere overview
Watch Roland’s FP-40 sound demos
Read why Roland’s FP-40 is aimed at home learners
Source: Engadget’s report on the Roland FP-40
What is the Roland FP-40?
The Roland FP-40 is a portable 88-key digital piano with weighted hammer-action keys, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Piano Sphere learning tools.
How much does the Roland FP-40 cost?
The Roland FP-40 costs $749 in the US. Roland has not confirmed a UAE price; an approximate AED conversion is not a local retail price.
What is Piano Sphere?
Piano Sphere is Roland’s iOS and Android learning app for the FP-40, with guided lessons, real-time feedback, practice tracking and 100 included songs.
