When is Echo Support coming?

With that being said, amazon is releasing this http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=14047587011. Unfortunately it only supports 3.5mm output. So in theory, we just need a way that this device can override the current output and we're in business.

If by "override the current output" you mean have the line-in on a Play:5, Connect:Amp, or Connect automatically switch over when it senses audio input, that can be done now by turning on Autoplay in the settings menu. As to there only being a 3.5mm output, the Play:5 input is already 3.5mm, and there are adapters to convert 3.5mm to RCA for the Connects.

Is there a way to set priority on something like that? What I mean by override is if I am watching TV and I say "alexa", I want the audio to switch to the echo, and when its done switch back.

No. The Autoplay function simply senses input on the analog line-in (or digital optical on the Playbar) and switches to that source. Switching back is manual.

We also still don't know if Amazon are interested in allowing third parties access to their voice control technology.
Actually, they have a complete portal https://developer.amazon.com/appsandservices/solutions/devices/echo along with fully documented API's and code examples for developers to integrate with anything you could want.

We also still don't know if Amazon are interested in allowing third parties access to their voice control technology.
Actually, they have a complete portal https://developer.amazon.com/appsandservices/solutions/devices/echo along with fully documented API's and code examples for developers to integrate with anything you could want.

Yeah I already covered this above 😉

Checking back in several months later.

As a compromise you might consider getting an Echo Dot and connecting it to the line-in of your Sonos player in the room or rooms you most often listen to music in. This would give you both the convenience of Echo plus the sound quality of Sonos. You could also share the Echo Dot sound with other rooms via Sonos and still use Sonos in the traditional old fashioned app control way if you wanted to listen to your local music library.

Thats exactly what I'm doing now that the Echo Dot has a line-out. Going to connect it to the line-in on my Play 5. Using the autoplay will let it override whats currently playing. I think this works with groups also. Interested to see how it plays with my PLAY BAR if the TV will take back control or whatnot. Still would like to see some sort of official integration fron SONOS.

We also still don't know if Amazon are interested in allowing third parties access to their voice control technology.

Actually, Echo is extendable by third parties. They have a whole API around it. This is just SONOS not caring.

I would think they would go about the direction of adding Sonos skills to the existing echo.

Users would buy the inexpensive Echo Dot and use it for voice control of Sonos units.

It wouldn't take a lot to provide that integration fairly rapidly utilizing the support for 3rd party development that Amazon has in place.

I wouldn't think a Sonos unit with Echo hardware/software integrated would be the answer - but Echo ability to control Sonos. Especially now that Echo can be purchased in speakerless form.

For me right now adding the Echo Dot I have to hardwire the Dot to my Play:5 and utilize Echo to play music when doing by voice. Echo is limited in only being able to pull music for a couple different services. Really just Amazon Prime Music and a few free internet radio type services like Pandora. So my voice control of music playing will be limited to those few services with the Dot connected to Play:5.

However, by adding Sonos skills to Echo you should be able to tap into all the Sonos resources. Such as Skill " Alexa play Sonos artist *, song *"

Using Smartthings I can currently ask Echo to turn on/turn off Sonos or create some playlists in Smartthings that I can then trigger from Echo. Fairly basic stuff already can do....but imagine if Sonos developed its own Echo skill.

Chris,

Does that mean you have changed your mind on:

I personally want Sonos to devote no effort to this. There are plenty of other wish list items to work on and spend development time on that are not niche device support (better suited to third party development through API)

And that you'd be okay with them developing a basic Alexa skill to allow integration between the two APIs?

🙂

We'll I do still stand on the side of it not really being essential to the experience vs. more of a convienience. However, I will admit being rather short sighted at the potential of Echo. I wasn't aware until I got mine how they had embraced third party development of skills vs. the likes of Siri where it is such a closed environment I would hate for anyone to devote resources to.

However - - while it is nice that it appears to be coming and high on their list of the direction Sonos wants to go. I would actually still say it would not be near the top of my list of things I would like to see implemented on Sonos.

I would still rather see Sonos devote energy to things such as party mode, surround sound improved capability and improvements, additional search options etc. vs. voice control. But I'm certainly not upset that they are implementing voice control. I don't see the CEO putting out an announcement that they think Party Mode options in their controller is the direction forward for the company.

I will say Echo is still rather limited in what it can do vs. the likes of Siri but the third party ability of Echo is what sets it apart and I was wrong in not realizing the effort Amazon has gone to in promoting an Echo Ecosystem. Amazon needs Echo to increase rapidly in its abilities. I have to say when I got mine a few weeks ago I wasn't all that impressed with its abilities out of the box. It wasn't until I added Smartthings and Logitech Harmony integration to it that it became less a gimmick device and more of a useful appliance.

And while I was take it or leave it on my Echo. The Dot to me opens up a good deal more things with the lower price (more affordable for multiple units) and the audio output (integrate to my play:5 already in kitchen).

So my original full Echo - to the bedroom. Dot to remain in kitchen most likely. Although I could put dot in my bedroom and hook to the connect input I have in there.

What I really need is a dot now in both locations.

Biggest wish now is that one echo could control another.

What I really need is a dot now in both locations.
Biggest wish now is that one echo could control another.

I'll admit to having pre-ordered 2 dots and have the same questions. I guess I'll find out when the Dots come in. I'm sure there will be some quirks to get used to, but we are both taking the same route for integration via Play:5 and autoplay. I suspect I'll have my Playbar on a separate group to keep my TV sound separate and the rest of my SONOS in another group for autoplay.

Also, thank you for admitting the potential now that you've used echo 🙂