Amazon Echo controller

Someone posted the Talk to Sonos app in one of these threads this morning, but the search function on this ridiculous forum software is utterly useless, so can't find it.

Anyway, perhaps a clue to Sonos upcoming voice control. They just need to build a headless android device with microphone array, and this software, which uses Google 's voice recognition. Works well. Even discovered my paired Play:1s as a stereo pair, which no other UPNP software has done. Cheap, fairly effective on a phone or tablet, would be as good as Alexa with a microphone array.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talk.control.upnp&hl=en

Was playing with the free version of Talk to Sonos last night. Works fairly well. It would be pointless if I needed to launch the app or press a button to activate it, but it does have a continuous mode. So, I installed it on a docked Nexus 7, in continuous mode. Then started trying to control it from about 10 ft. away. Had to shout to be heard, but it was pretty good about understanding what I said. "Paula, radio KPLU", and she did. "Paula, playlist piano Jazz in Office". No problem.

Think I'll order an external mic, and see what happens. Maybe this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-145037-ME-51S-Stereo-Microphone/dp/B000BTAH62/ref=pd_sim_504_5

It looks like Sonos is going to build its own version of Alexa, not use Alexa Voice Services.. That's really sad.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/10/11191978/sonos-Amazon-echo-alexa

I'm not sure how you got to that conclusion from the linked article. The author himself (after an admitted "wildest speculation" that Sonos teams up with Siri/Apple) states:

For Sonos, the answer's probably as simple as tightly integrating its speakers with the new Amazon Dot, or baking in the Alexa Voice Service as Invoxia did with the Triby.

At no point in the article does he say Sonos is "going to build its own version of Alexa".

Another idea, if Sonos had direct integration with Echo, you would be able to set default output settings directly in the Amazon Echo controller. One setting could be, "Send output to selected sonos zone any time you ask Echo to play music." From there, I could select that option and then specify from a list of drop down list of zones already set up in my sonos system, such as Family Room. Once selected, anytime I ask Alexa to play music, it would automatically send the output to my family room zone. Since sonos can stream from a variety of services, I would think it could accept a music stream from the Echo. Of course, any default setting could be overridden with a verbal command to Alexa.

I realize that would require tremendous cooperation between Amazon and Sonos development teams. It sure doesn't sound like there is desire for that to happen, but who knows. One thing I do know . . . I'm not buying any more Sonos hardware until I know where this is headed. In the absence of integration between the two, I see two possibilities:

1. Amazon develops speakers of Sonos Quality, in which case my entire Sonos system goes on eBay and gets replaced.
2. Sonos develops Echo quality voice control with all the features and performance we see today with the current device.

Both options seems like a long way off to me, compared to:

3. Seamless integration between Amazon Echo and Sonos systems, which could be done hopefully through programming and no hardware modifications or adds.

Option 3 could be here relatively fast and both companies would benefit from increased sales. If I have an Echo, I would be tempted to buy Sonos speakers to improve the music playing experience. If I had a Sonos system, I would be tempted to buy an Echo to improve the control and overall experience. If I had neither, an integrated package would be very interesting to me.

Long time Sonos user and fan, first time poster here. We're facing a tough choice right now - we are remodeling our house and have decided that Echo/Alexa is going to the front end for just about everything. So ... Sonos, step it up please! Not sure if we'll sign up to a new multi-zone (8 zone) Sonos system that is not natively controllable by Echo. Our CR200 controllers are on their last legs and the apps just don't compare with the simplicity of Echo voice command. Please keep me as a customer, I beg you...

I registered on this community specifically so I could vote for this feature. I love the Echo and my Sonos system. Music sounds way better than the Echo, but the voice interface with Amazon Echo is unsurpassed. I find myself asking Alexa to play a song just because it is so easy, but then find myself disappointed as I know how much better it would sound if it were then playing through my Sonos speakers.

+1 Echo control of Sonos, or handoff

"Alexa, connect to kitchen speakers" - Could connect all Echo output to a sonos zone.
"Alexa, play the Beatles in the Family Room"- Randomly shuffles Beatles music as it does now, but plays it in the family room zone.

There is so much potential!


Exactly why i am on here. Same experience. Love them both.

Just stumbled onto this . . .

http://www.gizmag.com/josh-ai-amazon-echo-alexa-app-sonos/44375/

Maybe there is some hope on the way for those of us that continue to hold out hope!

Sonos definitely needs a voice controller, call it the "Sonos Vox" and charge $149.95. Design it so you can set it on a coffee table and the user can change volume, play favorites, and change tracks with their voice


There, I did the tough part, now go make the product so I can buy it!

While I like @Steve's idea, perhaps price it at $99 and make it a white hockey puck that has location context (what zone it is in...)

LOVE my 14 zones of Sonos, but you've got to engage the voice/AI world.

Sonos have announced that they are already working on voice - we know no more beyond that.

I for one would be extremely unlikely to buy any additional hardware. At least whilst my fingers and legs still work!!

This is just too much trouble. I'm disappointed in a progressive company like Sonos not getting with the program. They should have been the first, not the last in integrating voice with their product. If they've already hired the voice engineers, it should not be that much effort to integrate with Alexa as a start for at least the basics.

Just stumbled onto this . . . .

http://www.slashgear.com/sonos-has-big-news-august-30th-is-it-alexa-voice-control-12451637/

No one seems to know for sure what the August 30th announcement is, but its encouraging to read speculation that it could involve Amazon Echo (Alexa). Keeping my fingers crossed!

Bump.

Any news about this integration??? Eager here to see and use these appliances together

They announced on August 30th that a full integration with Amazon Echo is coming. There will be a private beta later this year with a public release in 2017.

http://press-us.sonos.com/134980-sonos-with-partners-and-industry-leaders-ushers-in-new-era-of-connected-home-listening

I am anxiously awaiting an opportunity to beta test. I was hoping the beta would be released this year but this year is almost over.

You can use Yonami to voice control Sonos through Echo, I'm sure the official integration will be better though

https://www.yonomi.co/blog/hey-alexa-meet-yonomi/