Best answer by Stuart_W
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Sonos Play 1 + Amazon Echo Dot?!?!
Hey everybody, i have the Sonos Play 1 twice at the moment and im thinking about buying a Amazon Echo Dot. Am i yet able to connect the devices via WIFI? Thanks.
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Jeebus Christmas, Sonos IS going to make a voice controlled speaker. The CEO has actually publicly stated they are going to make a speaker with a microphone array built in. They just aren't going to spend millions to reinvent the freaking wheel when they can just use embedded Alexa (or Google?, or Apple?) technology.
Look, if Sonos isn't making a voice controlled speaker, they damn well should be. It's not just me saying it. Here's an excerpt from This Week in Google where the host states the same thing.
https://youtu.be/irojLVDSk0g?t=2h6m45s
By the way I think I look pretty snazzy in my tinfoil hat 🙂
https://youtu.be/irojLVDSk0g?t=2h6m45s
By the way I think I look pretty snazzy in my tinfoil hat 🙂
NO.THEY.ARE.NOT!!!!
Back away from the tinfoil hat. :8
Back away from the tinfoil hat. :8
OK, so earlier in this thread I suggested that Sonos wasn't going to tie their fate with Amazon's Echo and was in fact shelving the Echo app and instead will be coming out with their own speech controlled speaker. You guys convinced me that maybe I was wrong.
Well, I think it's time to reconsider. Look at the recent news about Amazon enabling the Echo to synchronize music playback. This will be in direct competition with the likes of companies like Sonos. To quote C/Net "It would also make Amazon's line more competitive with the Sonos speaker system and the upcoming Apple HomePod. "
Will the Echo sound as good as the Sonos - no. But to a lot of people that's not important. It will sound "good enough". The convenience of having the Echo already perform this feature will negate any desire to go out and spend additional money for another (Sonos) system. This is a huge challenge for Sonos. They can't ignore this and do business as usual and end up being another "Blackberry".
I'm telling you, there's no way it takes a year to come out with app for this. They're designing a whole new speaker with voice control!
https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-echo-multi-room-audio-not-far-off-report-says/
Well, I think it's time to reconsider. Look at the recent news about Amazon enabling the Echo to synchronize music playback. This will be in direct competition with the likes of companies like Sonos. To quote C/Net "It would also make Amazon's line more competitive with the Sonos speaker system and the upcoming Apple HomePod. "
Will the Echo sound as good as the Sonos - no. But to a lot of people that's not important. It will sound "good enough". The convenience of having the Echo already perform this feature will negate any desire to go out and spend additional money for another (Sonos) system. This is a huge challenge for Sonos. They can't ignore this and do business as usual and end up being another "Blackberry".
I'm telling you, there's no way it takes a year to come out with app for this. They're designing a whole new speaker with voice control!
https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-echo-multi-room-audio-not-far-off-report-says/
OK, you've convinced me. I'll just have to give them more time. This better be one hell of an app though.
Took Amazon until just the other day to deliver basic on/off and volume control functionality to a few select devices from a few select vendors. The new functionality in support of Sonos will need to be orders of magnitude more complex, so will take considerable time on Amazon's part, not to mention Sonos'. Patience. Plenty of leaks about it being in beta, so shouldn't be too much longer.
In trying to come up with a theory on why it’s taking so long for Sonos to enable voice control, I’ve been thinking that maybe they’ve decided to not tie their fate with Amazon and are going to release their own voice controlled device. They could be following Apple, and will mimic the HomePod. This would explain the huge delay. This would also create a new profit source for them. Think about it, Apple is charging $349 for theirs, and as we all know Sonos is not afraid of using a huge markup like that.
I hope I’m wrong, but…….
Nice theory, except Sonos representatives have repeatedly stated here on this forum that the Alexa/Sonos integration is currently being worked on and is on schedule to be delivered this year. A delivery date that exactly matches the expected delivery date given in the very first press conference. Fact is, this is something which doesn't exist, and to do it right takes time.
Userlevel 7
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In trying to come up with a theory on why it’s taking so long for Sonos to enable voice control, I’ve been thinking that maybe they’ve decided to not tie their fate with Amazon and are going to release their own voice controlled device. They could be following Apple, and will mimic the HomePod. This would explain the huge delay. This would also create a new profit source for them. Think about it, Apple is charging $349 for theirs, and as we all know Sonos is not afraid of using a huge markup like that.
I hope I’m wrong, but…….
Sonos aren't, even at the best of times, noted for their fleet footedness. This does appear to be directly related to their stubborn desire to ensure that whatever they are working on is as good as it can be - certainly good enough to ensure it not only enhances their brand but doesn't cause unforeseen problems.
Many of the posts we see in tis board appear to neglect the fact that integrating their system with a 3rd party's voice control system should be considered to be a significant technical challenge both in the design of the intended working and then turning that set of requirements into a working system. Whilst I have no inside information I have no doubt that Sonos are busting a gut to get this integration going.
Patience!
Since it’s been almost a year since Sonos announced they would be working with the Amazon Echo and yet we still have nothing to show for it, I’m beginning to seriously doubt we ever will.
In trying to come up with a theory on why it’s taking so long for Sonos to enable voice control, I’ve been thinking that maybe they’ve decided to not tie their fate with Amazon and are going to release their own voice controlled device. They could be following Apple, and will mimic the HomePod. This would explain the huge delay. This would also create a new profit source for them. Think about it, Apple is charging $349 for theirs, and as we all know Sonos is not afraid of using a huge markup like that.
I hope I’m wrong, but…….
In trying to come up with a theory on why it’s taking so long for Sonos to enable voice control, I’ve been thinking that maybe they’ve decided to not tie their fate with Amazon and are going to release their own voice controlled device. They could be following Apple, and will mimic the HomePod. This would explain the huge delay. This would also create a new profit source for them. Think about it, Apple is charging $349 for theirs, and as we all know Sonos is not afraid of using a huge markup like that.
I hope I’m wrong, but…….
Actually you didn't get it. Maybe you're too young, lack curiosity or have no sense of humour. Or possibly all 3. I don't really care. But if you're interested in expanding your narrow horizons then Google "Monty Python Spam sketch". You're welcome
Certainly not young. Know the pythons well and watch the original sketches first time round so well aware of the Spam sketch. And I certainly do have a sense of humour.
However, when someone (not you originally i admit) tries to turn a helpful post into being accused on posting spam then I guess sense of humour becomes parrot like - dead!
If you were just been amusing and had no point to make then fine - haha. But it might have helped to put something other than just a random monty python quote in with nothing else to add.
How would you like to see something like that after something you post as a serious point and the inference being that you are just spamming?
I think its probably just best to take the previous users point and recognise that there's no place here for reasonable discussion or feedback to Sonos if it goes against established posters views who clearly can't take anyone else's opinion on Sonos or god forbid try and provide a helpful answer.
I'll leave now and wont bother posting again - you and jgatie can continue to answer peoples questions here and help them in your own way.
Userlevel 7
+22
It looks like Spam, smells like Spam and it tastes like. So it's Spam.
Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spammity Spam, Wonderful Spam
No sensible answer then Stuart_W ? Or do you not understand what open source software is?
Maybe you didn't realise Sonos uses open source software within the product already?
Actually you didn't get it. Maybe you're too young, lack curiosity or have no sense of humour. Or possibly all 3. I don't really care. But if you're interested in expanding your narrow horizons then Google "Monty Python Spam sketch". You're welcome
Sigh.
Best to ignore the salty comments from jgatie, he/she/they needs to get outside more.
Former CEO confirmed they were working on voice in a blog post March 9 2016. So yes they've been working on voice for over a year.
Alexa could be released tomorrow or not for over 5 months, so thanks for posting this. I'm gonna check it out.
http://blog.sonos.com/en/industry-in-transition-invest-in-future/
What does something being open source have to do with the fact that you are shilling another product on a Sonos site?
If I went to a Windows forum and posted about how great an alternative Linux is, it would still be Spam. You can always tell when the 3rd party developers think the official Sonos release is near, things tend to get a little more desperate around here.
Sorry but i think you are missing the point entirely.
Firstly the link i posted is not a PRODUCT and it is most definitely NOT an ALTERNATIVE to Sonos. It is complementary.
It is an open source technology software solution that allows Alexa to control Sonos.
It is free. It is not a 3rd party product.
It is absolutely nothing to do with me (other than i am a user of it alongside my Sonos system) and i am not "shilling" it.
it is made available under the same licence that numerous other pieces of software that are already in the core Sonos product are. It is quite possible that Sonos themselves may even use some of this software in their own solution as they have already done with other capabilities they have added.
But more importantly it provides a possible solution to something that alot of people are asking about.
It's not suitable for everyone and its certainly not going to be exactly how Sonos will implement it but it's something that offers a solution until/if Sonos deliver the same capability.
Are you saying that its spam to post about a free piece of complimentary open source software that works with Sonos on a thread that is about how a second commercial product (Alexa) will also do exactly that ?
Maybe you didn't realise Sonos uses open source software within the product already?
What does something being open source have to do with the fact that you are shilling another product on a Sonos site?
If I went to a Windows forum and posted about how great an alternative Linux is, it would still be Spam. You can always tell when the 3rd party developers think the official Sonos release is near, things tend to get a little more desperate around here.
It looks like Spam, smells like Spam and it tastes like. So it's Spam.
Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spammity Spam, Wonderful Spam
No sensible answer then Stuart_W ? Or do you not understand what open source software is?
Maybe you didn't realise Sonos uses open source software within the product already?
Userlevel 7
+22
It looks like Spam, smells like Spam and it tastes like. So it's Spam.
Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, Spammity Spam, Wonderful Spam
It was over a year since it was reported in the technology press with a link and mention to Sonos.
Even so its now Jul 11 2017. Your link is for Aug 30 2016. So i'll correct myself and say its been "officially almost a year". Happy?
Can you please explain why its spam to provide a fully free, non-advertised open source developed solution that has been filling the capability gap and might actually help people ?
Even so its now Jul 11 2017. Your link is for Aug 30 2016. So i'll correct myself and say its been "officially almost a year". Happy?
Can you please explain why its spam to provide a fully free, non-advertised open source developed solution that has been filling the capability gap and might actually help people ?
Over a year now?
False. It was announced August 30, 2016.
http://press-us.sonos.com/134980-sonos-with-partners-and-industry-leaders-ushers-in-new-era-of-connected-home-listening
Nice Spam, though.
False. It was announced August 30, 2016.
http://press-us.sonos.com/134980-sonos-with-partners-and-industry-leaders-ushers-in-new-era-of-connected-home-listening
Nice Spam, though.
I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for Sonos. Echo integration has been "coming" for over a year now. If you are a little bit technical minded there is a great, working solution available for free today : https://github.com/rgraciano/echo-sonos
Sonos has stated the following (emphasis mine):
http://press-us.sonos.com/134980-sonos-with-partners-and-industry-leaders-ushers-in-new-era-of-connected-home-listening
So the Voice Control capabilities are going to be compatible will all Sonos/Alexa units past and present, and you can be sure that if you buy a Sonos/Alexa device now, it will work with the new implementation.
These new voice capabilities will be delivered in a software update that will work with new and previously purchased Sonos and Alexa-enabled devices such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, and Amazon Fire TV.
http://press-us.sonos.com/134980-sonos-with-partners-and-industry-leaders-ushers-in-new-era-of-connected-home-listening
So the Voice Control capabilities are going to be compatible will all Sonos/Alexa units past and present, and you can be sure that if you buy a Sonos/Alexa device now, it will work with the new implementation.
Jeff S
I am thinking about buying a "digital assistant", possibly an Amazon Echo Dot, but am also considering Google Home and Apple HomePod. One of the main reasons is actually because I want to be able to lie in bed in the morning and just shout out, play "xyz" without moving :P
Anyhow, I appreciate the integration with Amazon isn't complete yet and that it's coming during 2017. So any purchase I make for an Amazon Dot would be purely speculative as I suspect Sonas / Amazon won't underwrite it or guarantee that the integration will definitely happen (or will they?).
My question (forgive the pre-amble), is how are you building the integration? I would hope that Sonas are developing a REST API, so that any of the aforementioned digital assistants could easily develop plugins for Sonos should the demand be there, or those of us more technical could create our own crude versions. Or is it that you are developing a proprietary plugin with Amazon which will provide greater features and control than could be achieved via a generic REST API?
I guess it would be useful from a consumer perspective to understand the future potential ease of 3rd party integration with Sonos.
For example, the Sonos strategy might be to publish a REST API to enable greater integration with multiple apps offering some basic functions which is pretty quick for app companies to program. Then for a select few Sonos "Platinum" partners, tighter integration is developed to enable more feature rich options.
To conclude, I may decide I prefer Google Home, but if Sonos doesn't integrate, I may sell my Sonos speakers on Ebay and then switch to another product, because I value my digital assistant more than my speakers. I'm not saying I do prefer Google Home, but I hope you understand the way consumers minds may work and why I am asking these questions.
I am thinking about buying a "digital assistant", possibly an Amazon Echo Dot, but am also considering Google Home and Apple HomePod. One of the main reasons is actually because I want to be able to lie in bed in the morning and just shout out, play "xyz" without moving :P
Anyhow, I appreciate the integration with Amazon isn't complete yet and that it's coming during 2017. So any purchase I make for an Amazon Dot would be purely speculative as I suspect Sonas / Amazon won't underwrite it or guarantee that the integration will definitely happen (or will they?).
My question (forgive the pre-amble), is how are you building the integration? I would hope that Sonas are developing a REST API, so that any of the aforementioned digital assistants could easily develop plugins for Sonos should the demand be there, or those of us more technical could create our own crude versions. Or is it that you are developing a proprietary plugin with Amazon which will provide greater features and control than could be achieved via a generic REST API?
I guess it would be useful from a consumer perspective to understand the future potential ease of 3rd party integration with Sonos.
For example, the Sonos strategy might be to publish a REST API to enable greater integration with multiple apps offering some basic functions which is pretty quick for app companies to program. Then for a select few Sonos "Platinum" partners, tighter integration is developed to enable more feature rich options.
To conclude, I may decide I prefer Google Home, but if Sonos doesn't integrate, I may sell my Sonos speakers on Ebay and then switch to another product, because I value my digital assistant more than my speakers. I'm not saying I do prefer Google Home, but I hope you understand the way consumers minds may work and why I am asking these questions.
Userlevel 7
+20
But quite apart from questioning your motives, jgatie, (and I do), your comment reflects _exactly_ the kind of misguided thinking that appears to be leading Sonos astray. So let me spell it out:
1/ I emphatically *don't want* Sonos software to be searching multiple music sources, shuffling, doing queueing, or anything of the kind. Those problems have been solved (very well, I might add) by Spotify, Amazon, Apple Music, Pandora etc. etc. In fact, I'd really rather Sonos stopped designing user-facing music management software at all, because the results are ample proof that they suck at it.
2/ What I would really welcome (like a majority of people on the thread, I suspect) would be the ability to use the Sonos system as a *sound output device* for whatever system I'm using. If you can do a device-independent service integration like with Spotify then great (although usability is fairly poor tbh). However, I for one would be perfectly happy if you just __finally__ let me stream sound from whatever device I'm using to the Sonos system. And yes I know that will have implications for device battery life, but I'd appreciate if that were my choice. Note that solves the Alexa integration, AppleTV integration, browser streaming question and all the rest of it in one go.
3/ Crossfade, volume controls per room etc. are already built into Sonos control software, so I don't see how they're relevant to the development effort for new features.
4/ "An infrastructure that has never had to interact with other IOT devices" - unlike home appliance manufacturers? That's just silly.
TL;DR: Sonos should stop trying to develop music management software and instead focus a thin layer of communication protocols that can register the speakers / rooms on my network and stream sound from whatever device I happen to be using.
Edits: Minor edits for clarity, typo.
Hi lez,
Thanks for the suggestions. We can't comment on possible future products or features but we'll send along your feedback and suggestions.
Please note that Sonos employees are marked as such. Also, please refrain from personal attacks as this violates our community guidelines.
Quite so.
I don't get how people can be so confident in their blind assumptions about the development process. Just as an example, the comment regarding light bulbs integrating ages ago. Yes, it was. However, as pointed out already, it should be a much better integration. As well it was developed before Echo/Alexa went live. Why would you assume the develop went quickly and smoothly? For all we knew it could have taken 2 years to complete. As well, I would imagine Amazon took on a majority of the development. Integrating smart home appliances was a major feature requirement of the original product.
And Sonos should work FASTER? Do you have any data on how many developers and hours are put in the development right now? Do we know how much effort Amazon is putting in from their side? Do we know if the integration won't be released till a later date for marketing purposes? Do we know what marketing data management is looking at to determine how much they can afford to put in development and still expect to return a profit?
The reality is that we know very very little. What we thinking we know is based on assumptions that we really can't rely on with too much confidence. Wanting an integration ASAP is quite understandable. Wanting to drop Sonos (to replace with what?) is a personal choice. However, I don't get why people take their assumptions as fact and can't understand how people couldn't possibly come to a different conclusion then they did.
And Sonos should work FASTER? Do you have any data on how many developers and hours are put in the development right now? Do we know how much effort Amazon is putting in from their side? Do we know if the integration won't be released till a later date for marketing purposes? Do we know what marketing data management is looking at to determine how much they can afford to put in development and still expect to return a profit?
The reality is that we know very very little. What we thinking we know is based on assumptions that we really can't rely on with too much confidence. Wanting an integration ASAP is quite understandable. Wanting to drop Sonos (to replace with what?) is a personal choice. However, I don't get why people take their assumptions as fact and can't understand how people couldn't possibly come to a different conclusion then they did.
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