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ralx
Contributor I
October 29, 2021

Cast from apps on Android?

  • October 29, 2021
  • 27 replies
  • 19675 views

So, when Android users are going to get feature parity with iOS users?

It's been a long time since Airplay 2 was implemented and so far nothing on Chromecast. Only Spotify (thanks to Spotify Connect) allows Android users to cast directly from the app, no other app can do it.

Why the preferential treatment if Sonos charge the same to everyone? Is it because Sonos executives use iOS devices or what? The Sonos app is bad for everything but configuring the devices and it shouldn't be forced down the throat of customers to replace their chosen service app, it's user hostile and breaks usability.

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    joosebox
    Lyricist III
    January 10, 2022

    It's also worth noting that Sonos has other ways of doing some of the things that other brands use Chromecast for, such as playing music stored on an Android phone or streaming Amazon Music or Pandora or Tidal. 

    Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately, my main concern right now is casting from Chrome on my Windows PC.

      jgatie
      jgatie
      January 11, 2022

      You’re proving my point. Google is willing to play ball, but Sonos is not.

      Again, all these companies support casting to their speakers: Vizio, Sony, LG, Philips, B&O Play, Grundig, Polk, Bang & Olufsen, Raumfeld, Brookstone, NAD, Onkyo, Integra, Pioneer, Rivawand, Grace Digital, Jensen, VSSL, harman/kardon, JBL, Feton, Primare, Toshiba, and Solis.

       

      What are you talking about? In what way is Sonos not willing to play ball?  They've created an API for the. very purpose of letting other vendors cast to their speakers.  All Google has to do is develop it, Sonos isn't stopping them.  

        ChuckV
        Contributor I
        April 10, 2022

        Ok, another opinion and use case. Most of you are wrapped up in ad hominem attacks on each other and have lost the purpose of the original ask.

         

        My use case: Android (don't suggest going down the Apple rabbit hole, not an option). I start a podcast in the car; don't finish; get home. Want to finish the podcast. Can't get it on Sonos. Should be simple. Just continue where I left off in the app I was using. 

        Don't want to load yet another app and/or subscription. Have Amazon music, but they only make the music side available in their app. Ditto YouTube. Tried of searching, experimenting. Putting away on back burner. Maybe someday. Huge frustration. Sigh.

        Entropy never decreases. Systems spontaneously evolve towards disorder... Hey who started talking about politics?
          106rallye
          106rallye
          April 10, 2022

          So what you’re saying is the app you use for podcasts does not have a Spotify Connect like feature? Could you use another app?

          ChuckV
          Contributor I
          April 10, 2022

          As I live in the Android world, and according to Sonos, the only apps that support Direct Control (what I assume you are calling a “connect like feature”) are Spotify and iHeartRadio. A have neither, and as stated previously, prefer to not load “just another app”. I don’t like Spotify nor will I support the company for many reasons. iHeardRadio, is a possible option, but I consider it “just another workaround” for a missing critical feature. Sonos and Google need to bury the hatchet and move forward. The historical animosity of the product managers and legal wonks on both sides does a huge disservice to the Android community. 

          Entropy never decreases. Systems spontaneously evolve towards disorder... Hey who started talking about politics?
            ChuckV
            Contributor I
            April 10, 2022

            Another real kludge is to use Google Home and cast the entire phone to my Chromecast on my TV, which plays through my Sonos system. Then using the Sonos app, I can play anywhere in my setup. But that requires I stop, turn on the TV, start the Sonos app, continue the podcast. Kludge, kludge, kludge, and such a waste. Ubiquitous Sonos? Not so much… Google "Don't be evil"? Good reason they dropped that from their Code of Conduct - gives them license to pull s*** like this.

            Entropy never decreases. Systems spontaneously evolve towards disorder... Hey who started talking about politics?
            Airgetlam
            Airgetlam
            April 10, 2022

            I think the challenge here is that Sonos has already written and made publicly available an API which a few companies have chosen to take advantage of. Unfortunately, Google is not one of those, as they’ve not embedded it in the Android operating system. Since Sonos has done their part, it seems as though additional pressure should be put on Google in order to satisfy your needs. 

            I’d agree, the animosity shown by Google, both in infringing on the Sonos patents, and not implementing the available ‘casting’ API is incomprehensible. 

            Bruce
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