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Contributor I
February 24, 2024

Amazon Echo Hub Integration

  • February 24, 2024
  • 28 replies
  • 4948 views

I recently got the new Amazon echo hub. It is a small tablet designed to be mounted on the wall and used for smart home control. it has Alexa inside of it, so voice control of Sonos works. But it’s media control capabilities don’t work. This means I can’t control Sonos from the touchscreen. Of course this will work perfectly with an echo speaker. And doing a little bit of research. It looks like Sonos needs to update their skill to add support for some new API’s that will allow Sonos to show up in the active media app on this device as well as the Show devices. 

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28 replies

Lyricist I
February 24, 2024

Same problem here. Please add this function, so that we can control Sonos speakers via the Echo Hub Touchscreen in the near future. 

Lyricist I
February 25, 2024

Yes please Sonos could you update the skill as it would be great to have full integration with the new Echo Hub. To be honest I thought it would already have it but was disappointed to find out it didn’t.

Schlumpf
Virtuoso
February 25, 2024

Sorry, but to integrate such a control would be on Amazons side. Sonos offers its API that can be used to control the system. 
But Amazon at the moment doesn‘t use that to integrate Sonos control. Seems they just want to support control of their own echo speakers. 
Skills are a possibility just to implement Alexa based voice commands. 
You have to differ between voice assistant and direct audio system control. 

Ralf
Contributor I
February 26, 2024

Sorry, but to integrate such a control would be on Amazons side. Sonos offers its API that can be used to control the system. 
But Amazon at the moment doesn‘t use that to integrate Sonos control. Seems they just want to support control of their own echo speakers. 
Skills are a possibility just to implement Alexa based voice commands. 
You have to differ between voice assistant and direct audio system control. 

I don’t think this is true. It looks like Sonos has to extend its skill to support Alexa Presentation Language (APL); this adds the GUI content for the Alexas with screens. https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/alexa-presentation-language/apl-for-screen-devices.html

It also looks like Sonos isn’t using all the latest feature in the Media Playback APIs:

https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/music-skills/msk-latest-version.html

Airgetlam
February 26, 2024

While they’re at it, they should write their app so it works for control and display on Apple TVs, Google Home display devices, Samsung Smart refrigerators, Android based TVs, Tizen based TVs, and maintain the constant updates to each controller as these ‘standards’ evolve. 

Bruce
melvimbe
February 27, 2024

I don’t think this is all that clear cut as to whether Amazon or Sonos is responsible for the integration.  It used to be that I could go into the Alexa app and see what’s playing on my Sonos speakers, as well as basic operation.  It’s been a while since I’ve looked at that, and never really used it, but I don’t see that feature anymore. I can’t even see what’s playing on echo devices, again though, I never use this so perhaps I’m not looking at the right place.

Anyway, I also assumed that basic music control would work out of the box with the echo hub.  Disappointed that it does not.  I don’t know whether Sonos or Amazon needs to make modifications to the existing interface, or if it’s a case where Amazon isn’t even allowing 3rd party speakers to be visible/controlled through the interface.  I’m likely going to get a hub regardless and it would be a big positive if Sonos integration feature was there.

 

 

Danny
Schlumpf
Virtuoso
February 27, 2024

Imho Amazon doesn’t want other audio systems to be controlled directly with their Alexa app. 
Even Sonos integration from within Amazon music app is done via Alexa cloud what means a limited quality. 

Ralf
Lyricist III
March 2, 2024

Typical finger pointing by Sonos. 
 

if you would make this work, I would be inclined to buy more Sonos products. But at this point, I’m thinking I’m gonna sell all of my Sonos products and buy Alexa products. I got in bed with Sonos more than 10 years ago and had been very happy with the products. 

 

I have been to satisfied since the Sonos S2 app came out and did not support some of my older products. Of course Sonos offers to give you a discount if you return some of your older products and buy new ones, thereby giving them more profits rather than helping the customer. 

 

I tried Apple HOME To control my Sonos products only to find that the older ones weren’t supported. Again, a Sonos issue.

 

Time for Sonos to put the Customer first.

Schlumpf
Virtuoso
March 2, 2024

Sorry, but I can’t understand why people think every kind of different system can be controlled by each other in such an easy way. Imho the best way to use and control a system is the software that is made by the devices manufacturer. 
It‘s like running windows on a mac… in some way it works with limitations, but you won’t be happy with it at all. 
just my 2 cents… 

Ralf
Lyricist III
March 2, 2024

I appreciate your response, honestly.
 

My background is in IT. I know from experience that companies are not motivated to interface with other software products. The profit is just not there, so I do understand to some extent why these products don’t interface the ball together.

 

Often times software is released before all of the bugs are worked out. This is so they could begin making money, and then put a little bit of effort back into the software. In my opinion, it’s never enough.

 

I think Apple does the best job with their software on their phones, computers …etc. however, their purchasing software leaves a lot to be desired.  Walmart has the best apps.

 

Sonos software leaves a lot to be desired on its own.

 

Thanks again for your response.