Sonos One alternate Alexa "wake word" change
I was going to buy a pair of Sonos ones when they first came out but the inability to change the "wake word" from Alexa was a deal breaker for me as I already have a multi-room Sonos/Echo/Alexa Home autmation setup in which I use the "wake word" "computer". Therefore any expansion to my existing setup has to also have the abilty to alter the "wake word" to "Computer" as with the Echo/Echo dot. Has this issue now been addressed? If not, can this issue please be addressed in a future update to allow the Alexa Wake word on the Sonos One's to be changed from "Alexa" to "Computer"?
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Total Charlie Foxtrot. Basic functionality. Useless without it. I have an Echo which sounds like, well an echo and I want this thing sitting there in the same room also and it has to use something other than Alexa which others in household already use and are not giving up. This is the second time I've ventured into Sonos land and only because of Echo functionality and just like the first time it miserable to configure and doesn't do the basics. Sayonara Sonos.
Amazon requires third party devices to use only the Alexa wake word. The Ecobee4 thermostat has the same issue and users are unhappy about not being able to change the thermostat's wake word. Ecobee has stated Amazon prevents them from adding the wake word change ability that Amazon devices have. It's a competitive issue with Amazon and is unlikely to change.
+1 on everything said above
Not sure building in Alexa in a compromised way is the right step for Sonos users, when including a headphone jack would provide full dot functionality
Not sure building in Alexa in a compromised way is the right step for Sonos users, when including a headphone jack would provide full dot functionality
Hi just bought the Sonos One bundle to add to my existing Sonos system. I didn't realize when I ordered it that you couldn't change the trigger word from Alexa, which is a non-starter for our household (Alexa in the family). I contacted Sonos support after I received the devices to check as to whether they expected to address this anytime soon so I could decide whether I wanted to return the two devices or not. Here was their response, as of yesterday -
"It is something we would like to add, but we don't have an ETA on it at this point. As such, we can't 100% guarantee it will happen."
They then suggested that I check back before my return period expires to see if there are any additional updates. I'll let you know if I hear anything more.
"It is something we would like to add, but we don't have an ETA on it at this point. As such, we can't 100% guarantee it will happen."
They then suggested that I check back before my return period expires to see if there are any additional updates. I'll let you know if I hear anything more.
Userlevel 1
That is a standard scripted non-answer. You’ll get that same answer when communicating with many other product and service providers that have nothing to offer (at this time) and are just trying to placate you. Remember, the customer service people are as removed from the product decision making as you or I. As much as we would all like the ability to change the wake word, I wouldn’t hold your breath. If I was you I’d return them now and get some Play1s and add Echo Dots where needed so you can more fully integrate them into your existing network and family. You can always buy Sonos One again later if/when they offer the alternative wake name feature.
My suggestion is that you contact Sonos customer service and tell them that you need to have the full set of trigger words added, and that you will probably return what you just bought if it is not.
It seems pretty clear from the last few entries on this thread that Sonos now has the ability to do this (given the Amazon policy change), so now it becomes a matter of prioritizing this change along with the other things that they are working on. The more people that complain about the issue, the higher on the priority list it is likely to go.
Hopefully they listen and make the change soon .....
I’m with all of you. Desperate for a change here. But I really think this is more on Amazon than it is on Sonos. I’m confident they are doing the best they can and like someone else said, this is a power move on the part of Amazon. Soon enough, I believe change is gonna come. Meantime, it’s a sorry state of smart-home problems for anyone with an Al, Alex, Alexis, or God forbid a living Alexa in their household.
Userlevel 7
+22
We haven't seen any changes to the Sonos / Alexa integration since launch. Assumption would be Amazon must not release updates except in mass - so we haven't seen any tweaks of the integration. They have to be still doing work on so I'm hoping for a mass update with these type issues fixed .... for me I do use wake word "alexa" but I don't like the ding sound the Sonos One makes when its listening.
+2
Several months ago I purchased 2 of these never even thinking I could not change the name. Imagine the surprise I got when I went to go and do so. I thought it was me, that I was missing something so coming here to find out this is not even possible makes me want to give these back but I waited to long. What is the point of having these if they do not work the way the rest of my system works. BAD BAD BAD Sonos. Very disappointed. I don't care who is to blame for this, Amazon or Sonos. The bottom line is the product should really not have been released with this deal breaking caveat.
Userlevel 6
+9
Should not have been released? So the rest of us who prefer 'Alexa' should have not been able to purchase Sonos Ones until after you were satisfied? I agree this needs to be changed and soon, but come on ... it's not a 'deal-breaker' for the vast majority of users.
Very frustrated with everybody else that this was not thought through before launch of this product. I essentially have a device that is unusable, since my wake word though the house is echo
Has Amazon allowed non-Echo products to use different wake words yet? As far as I know, that's still the case.
Just got a sonos beam, hoping Sonos read these forums and get this implemented soon, key feature for me.
Userlevel 2
+1
I agree with all the others. It is a major omission from the integration and ridiculous that it has not been addressed after all this time.
That looks like it could be a step in the right direction...
We'll have to see if Sonos puts it to use
We'll have to see if Sonos puts it to use
Userlevel 6
+9
Pleased but not terribly surprised to see that change. Sonos is not the only company with Alexa-enabled devices getting hit with complaints about this. I do expect will see changes down the road, but then I'm an optimist. 😃
Agreed! If I had to choose I may eliminate the “ding” before changing the wake word. Though I do prefer “Echo” to Alexa.
Userlevel 7
+22
I tried once changing my Alexa's to use "Computer" but it just didn't sound right without me having a British (French) accent.
I wish Amazon would pony up the cash to allow the Alexa voice to be switched to Majel Barrett - then I would have to change it.
I wish Amazon would pony up the cash to allow the Alexa voice to be switched to Majel Barrett - then I would have to change it.
I agree with other users that there should also be a "Sonos" wake word. The system works well but the ability to have this and the Amazon Echo in the same room but decide which device to use simply by voice would be great.
Userlevel 7
+22
A sonos wake word that directly tied to a speaker would be very cool.
Sonos wake word would be Amazing.
I think Amazon are actually missing a trick with this one since it's showing their platform infrastructure to be lacking.
Voice AI has become a heavily competitive space, and Amazon need to be able to provide first class integration with their partners in order to maintain their head start.
I think Amazon are actually missing a trick with this one since it's showing their platform infrastructure to be lacking.
Voice AI has become a heavily competitive space, and Amazon need to be able to provide first class integration with their partners in order to maintain their head start.
I am also hugely disappointed by this, discovered only after purchase. It means that the integrated Sonos One solution is worse than the Echo Dot plus Play:1 solution for those of us who cannot and do not use the Alexa wake word elsewhere. This is a major let down - a first for me with Sonos.
I'm regretting my Sonos One purchase for this very reason. I have two Sonos One speakers mounted to the wall across from my television. You'd be amazed at how frequently words and sounds that remotely sound like the word "Alexa" cause the Alexa function to activate. Sonos or Amazon should offer a plethora of wake words from which users can choose. I'm sure many of my friends have been dissuaded from buying Sonos speakers for the same reason. This should be an easy fix. 😠
I would also like the ability to change the wake word
Yeah - I have a daughter called Alexa and I've just got her a Sonos One (rest of the house is "Echo") - please address!!
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