Sonos peeps - can interested parties (of which there are many) get an update or timeline on when we can expect Sonos to add the option to see song lyrics in the app? I don’t like having to cheat on Sonos and use other apps to see lyrics when I channel my inner best singer ever fantasy! Many thanks!
Enhancement Request - Update on offering song lyrics
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Have you found any streaming providers willing to include lyrics with the music streams they provide to Sonos users?
If you can interest any of the major streamers in doing so it would be a lot more likely to see Sonos support it.
Unfortunately, Sonos doesn’t provide updates, or even if they’re going to be working on requested features. They tend to just release things, so your best bet would be to either join the beta community, where you might see that (no clue) or just wait and see if they plan supporting it.
Can Sonos support it? If the app is just a controller, how can it know and process what’s playing without invoking processing delays? Shouldn’t it be down to the content suppliers to provide the lyrics?
Can Sonos support it? If the app is just a controller, how can it know and process what’s playing without invoking processing delays? Shouldn’t it be down to the content suppliers to provide the lyrics?
It needs to be supported in SMAPI (which it isn’t) for the music services to provide lyrics.
The content providers would have to provide the lyrics, many do that now for tneir own apps.
I would think the Sonos speaker would download the lyrics along with the audio and then pass them to tne controller at the proper time. That connection exists now for the now-playing time.
Sonos would have to allocate memory space for this, something they don't seem to do unless they see a good reason, like more sales.
Still, if Apple, Amazon, Spotify and the like offer the data and other speaker manufacturers pick up on it and offer the option Sonos might join to avoid being left out.
I know I pause my Sonos and open the Amazon Music app on a regular basis to see the lyrics. Sometimes I just do a web search if others are listening. Once in a while I'll use the Amazon TV app for the same reason.
+24Can Sonos support it? If the app is just a controller, how can it know and process what’s playing without invoking processing delays? Shouldn’t it be down to the content suppliers to provide the lyrics?
It needs to be supported in SMAPI (which it isn’t) for the music services to provide lyrics.
SMAPI used to have an API for lyrics, and showed app screens using it, see here:
though I’m not sure it was ever implemented.
The “new” SMAPI docs make no reference to it, so we can assume it is dead and buried as a feature.
Still, if Apple, Amazon, Spotify and the like offer the data and other speaker manufacturers pick up on it and offer the option Sonos might join to avoid being left out.
I don’t think streaming services are going to start offering lyrics to speaker manufacturers any time soon. Most of them want to leave that as an exclusive feature of their own streaming apps or speakers themselves.
I would also guess that some of the smaller streaming services aren’t really that interested in being involved in this feature as it probably just be an additional cost on their end without bringing in any additional sales.
Maybe the services could offer lyrics as a premium service? Like Amazon does for lossless and Atmos?
Always fun trying to get something when two different companies need to provide it, harder if they both don't see a profit.
But Sonos still only gets revenue from selling hardware (and subscriptions for their radio service). From most streams, Sonos gets zero revenue, even from advertising.
Exactly my point. Streamer service and Sonos BOTH need a reason.
+24Maybe the services could offer lyrics as a premium service? Like Amazon does for lossless and Atmos?
Always fun trying to get something when two different companies need to provide it, harder if they both don't see a profit.
YouTube Music just removed lyrics on their free tier, you now need Premium to get them.
Lyrics support also requires lawyers, as they have their own copyright issues. This is why the lyrics have to come from the service providers.
TL;DR don’t hold your breath waiting for Sonos to support lyrics.
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