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Sonos Alexa Integration India

  • 2 November 2017
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80 replies

P
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Same issue. Hoping Sonos will provide Alexa Integration soon
V
Userlevel 1
Hi, I've created a single thread to discuss solutions for using Sonos in India. I've got mine working fine with Alexa and music services like Spotify not available in India

https://en.community.sonos.com/setting-up-sonos-228990/sonos-in-india-a-comprehensive-guide-6809403/index1.html#post16247946

Hope this helps people here!
B
Userlevel 1
Badge +4
Hi sameerpit, I appreciate the sentiment, but not the language. I've edited your posts so they're appropriate for the community. Please refrain from using inappropriate language here.

There is a lot more work that goes into getting a skill working in a region than simply flipping a switch or changing a few lines of code. There is a very dedicated team working to bring Alexa support for Sonos to as many countries as possible, as quickly as we can. As soon as there's more to share for India, I'll make sure to let you all know. We know how dedicated and interested you all are and would love to bring you good news.

waiting...waiting & still waiting...................................................... !
Hoping at least integration of Amazon prime music will be released soon not though Alexa in India.
A
I have a pair of Sonos Ones and it does not work in India. Alexa can not find SONOS skill. I have written to Amazon and Sonos support multiple times and they just play the blame game and accuse each other of not enabling the skill.

I'd suggest everyone to write to both Sonos and Amazon and demand that the skill is enabled.
controlav
Userlevel 7
Badge +22
My Sonos skill for Alexa, "My Speaker", is now available in India. Requires an iOS device or a Windows 10 PC for the companion app. Give it a try.
Author of the leading 3rd party Sonos app for Windows and a Sonos app for iOS
K
I get a message saying that the companion app does not seem to have ever run on your network. What next?
K
I have been able to link the account, and the My Speaker skill shows that the skill is enabled. But invoking the My Speaker command yields the message mentioned in the preceding post.
K
Also see my last posts here: https://en.community.sonos.com/amazon-alexa-and-sonos-229102/new-to-sonos-or-alexa-how-to-set-up-6791327/index7.html#post16162328
K
And perhaps you can straight away double the demand for this as seen by the Sonos CEO by sending him an email as well!

Patrick.Spence@sonos.com

Since this address is available elsewhere on this Sonos site, nothing inappropriate in putting out his address here.
B
Userlevel 1
Badge +4
I am also waiting for sonos skill getting released in India. I was expecting it to be released along with Amazon Alexa app but it didn't. Unable to understand logic behind this.
K
The only logic is in addressing the logistics to be done to do this, and it will get done. Hopefully, sooner rather than later. In the couple of days I am using the Echo I am getting impressed with how well it is doing, including the Indian accent customisation that Amazon has done quite well - the accent is spot on without being a Hollywood parody. Amazon India feedback to bugs and fixes needed is also surprisingly quick and effective.

But I am also realising the benefit of being able to initiate music play, something that will not be possible globally from local NAS on Sonos for quite some time, I imagine; the logistics/challenges there look to be more complex than releasing Sonos Skills to Alexa India.
K
An update received from Sonos yesterday that was very disappointing because it said that Sonos Skills will be available when, quote: when Sonos and a voice service launch together in your region: unquote.

Seeing that Alexa India is already launched, one possible interpretation of the above is - NEVER. Because now they can never launch together in India, Sonos has missed the ship that has sailed.

I have pointed out that this is a very disappointing response, but have no reaction as of now to that reply.
B
Userlevel 1
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An update received from Sonos yesterday that was very disappointing because it said that Sonos Skills will be available when, quote: when Sonos and a voice service launch together in your region: unquote.

Where from you received update. In that case it's really disappointing. They should have followed the policy of releasing service along with Amazon Echo/Alexa in any territory which is more logical.
N
Badge
Oh man! What a pity, that all of us are stuck in a similar situation! I can clearly see Sonos under Music services, but has no relevance of the sonos skill.
K
I agree; and my communications have been with different people in Sonos from the CEO to team leads, all offering bland corporate assurances. Disappointing.
Here is one for Ryan if he finds the time:
A cut/paste from the Sonos FAQ:

"Can I use Amazon Alexa with any Sonos player?
Yes, Amazon Alexa works on all Sonos players.
Where is Amazon Alexa available?
Amazon Alexa is currently available in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom."

Since this was put on the site, Amazon Alexa is currently available in the above countries + India. Officially via Amazon.
Why then is it wrong for anyone reading this to expect Amazon Alexa to work with Sonos players in India? To me as of now, this is a misrepresentation by Sonos in its published material. A corporate lawyer may be able to parse a wriggle out, but Sonos would do better to make some quick moves to correct the situation and by that I mean making the skills available. Not changing the FAQ.
B
Userlevel 1
Badge +4
Todays update: I think I ruffled some feathers in Sonos because a more senior team lead has taken over the communications to me after apologising for the assurance I was given yesterday which literally read as: "I hope you will get the feature in India soon."
I was stunned at the language, to be honest, and said so.
Now it is: "We are working hard to give this to you, but can't say when." Progress though.

Thanks for taking attention to the serious problem (for us) as much possible at your end. First time ever I seriously felt SONOS is not serious about providing prompt support to the customers especially from India. How much time it will take to use voice service with Amazon Echo only time will tell but it's testing our patience for sure.
T
I don’t understand this whole geography thing with this, I can understand content geographically restricted cause of copyright issue , how does it matter . It’s a self inflicted geography bug.

Why does the sonos option come with Alexa if it doesn’t work.

And why should it work in the exact same piece of hardware on the exact same location if you change ur Id .

Given this , we are working hard is disgusting
K

And why should it work in the exact same piece of hardware on the exact same location if you change ur Id .

I haven't tried this and probably won't but does it work flawlessly as far as Sonos control is concerned? Obviously local relevant skills would be also lost, but if the Alexa bit works flawlessly in Indian physical locations by just doing this switch, Sonos is being unresponsive and/or disingenuous for no reason I can see, and ditto in saying they are "working hard" to fix this. Also, if someone confirms this, I can bang on the CEO's door with this interesting fact.
And Ryan/Sonos Staff, that claim to read every post on the community, but haven't cared to respond to even one here, owe us at least a reply ASAP, I think.
K
See this for more insights:https://en.community.sonos.com/amazon-alexa-and-sonos-229102/alexa-in-canada-6793811/index1.html#post16165316

While I am surprised that Alexa was not released in Canada ages ago, as far as India is concerned, it is a whole different ball game right now for Sonos partner Amazon, that are full steam ahead in their efforts to not lose the Indian market, having already lost China to Ali Baba and other local players. Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO worldwide of consumer business in an interview here today while in India has very clearly confirmed the first part; investment to date is USD 2 billion with a plan to ratchet this up to USD 5 billion if the 125% growth rates that have been seen continue to persist and India is their fastest growing business in the world is his statement. In the last 12 months, growth in Prime subscriptions, although from a small base are also the highest in the world. Having also used Amazon India for much of my online shopping in the last two years, I am not surprised; service and fulfilment levels, along with support, is world class.

So if Sonos Skills are missing here, I doubt very much that it is due to Amazon. The ball is with Sonos to run ahead with, if they have the will, energy and genuine global aspirations to do so.

And before anyone asks, I have done my door banging today by sending a copy of that interview to Patrick Spence, the Sonos CEO.
T
but if the Alexa bit works flawlessly in Indian physical locations by just doing this switch, Sonos is being unresponsive and/or disingenuous for no reason I can see, and ditto in saying they are "working hard" to fix this.

Exactly this is a pure sw block , which shouldn’t be difficult to remove ,
K
Any response Ryan, before you go away for the weekend?
Ryan S
Userlevel 7
Badge +26
Sorry for the delay, we most certainly read every thread, but it's been so busy of late that it's difficult to keep up.

I know you're hungry for news and eagerly awaiting any announcement or details from us. I don't have an official statement for you on support for the Sonos Alexa skill in India above what's already been said.

Alexa support for Sonos is available in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and we're hard at work getting everything ready to bring the Sonos skill for Alexa to more countries. We haven't announced which countries are up next, but our aspiration is everywhere.

I think it's important to remember that Sonos isn't currently sold directly in India. While we have some great customers like you guys, we have yet to officially enter India as a company. We're definitely interested and love that you are such early adopters, and clearly interested and involved. We'd love to bring Sonos to all countries, as well as Alexa support for Sonos. We’re working with Amazon on their Alexa expansion plans, and for that matter, with Google on theirs with Assistant, to bring voice control to Sonos everywhere we can.

Stay tuned for more details!
Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.
K

I think it's important to remember that Sonos isn't currently sold directly in India.
Thank you for your response, Ryan, but the quoted doesn't have wings.

I bought my Sonos in 2011, shipped by Amazon US to me officially, paying Indian customs duty that they collected from me. Once an official outlet of your does that with no objection from you that I am aware of AND my units are registered by Sonos AND you collect the revenue from the sale, that excuse is not available any more. Sonos officially has a multi channel go to market distribution strategy that has served you well and you cannot now pick and choose from such consequences of that as are not convenient.

And there is the Sonos published claim on your present FAQ: Alexa will work with Sonos wherever Alexa services are officially available from Amazon. In India, they are, for over ten days now with a notice on September 30 that this will be the case. So, in a sense, this is more than 45 days now.

And before aspiring to be everywhere as you say, I think it makes more sense to first be there wherever Amazon Alexa is, as far as Sonos skills are concerned. As well as a legal obligation most likely, given the above. Certainly a moral one.

As you may be aware, I have banged on the CEO door often on just with this, so if results still aren't forthcoming, Ryan has an out. Including apprising him of the interesting little fact that if I change Amazon market places, Sonos skills will be available right away. I choose not to do that for many reasons.

PS: I also know that in line with the same Amazon announcement, Alexa is just released in Japan. A heads up for you for what that is worth.
B
Userlevel 1
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I think it's important to remember that Sonos isn't currently sold directly in India. While we have some great customers like you guys, we have yet to officially enter India as a company.


I do agree with your point. Let's see this from Indian customer point of view now. In India Sonos isn't directly sold was a big concern for me when I was going to purchase it's first product considering if unfortunately anything goes wrong with the product at hardware level (apart from software/setup issues), I will be unable to repair it. This is in concern of shipping & getting back will not be an economical / practical solution. If you check the price of Sonos product on Amazon in India you can find its almost cost us twice than a customer in US because of shipping & custom duty. My many friends like the Sonos items I have but restrict themselves buying because of unavailable local service & off-course the price.

Now the customers in India like me purchased Sonos product coming over the issues mentioned above only by following their gut feeling, love & confidence about the reliability of Sonos items. Don't you think these customers need service to get released especially considering it on software level ?

I am still not clear about the technical hitch restricting from releasing the voice service in other countries. Because only Sonos customer can only use it. Sorry about my ignorance but I am really interested in knowing what is the bottleneck for not releasing it.

This is the first time Sonos has collaborated with other company with hardware as well as software (Amazon Echo) & not syncing with each other. I have purchased Amazon Echo only for controlling my Sonos product but just waiting for the getting the service released. Alexa is working fine except getting skills for Sonos in India.

My discussion may sound a bit unpractical but after all my passion for music & Sonos was the reason for investing in Sonos products. As you said some customers in India but you can not measure their love & passion equally with other customers in other country.
K
As you said some customers in India but you can not measure their love & passion equally with other customers in other country.
Erm...I would not go that far. Every human likes the music of their choice as much as any other. Nationality is irrelevant.

But what is accurate is that in terms of revenue delivered at this time, we don't contribute much to Sonos. Should that matter? There can be many valid answers.

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