Will Sonos support Google Cast for Audio?

It actually doesn't bother me to turn on the phone to adjust volume. If it did I would just use my Logitech Harmony remote to adjust the volume or my Apple Watch.

I don't find it very kluge when all I have to do is go in the Sonos app and pick which speakers I want to play Google Cast.

I haven't explored Soundcloud in Sonos that much.... maybe you have. I have seen others reporting it has very much the same content as YouTube (ok maybe not the newest). I personally use my desktop computer if I need to play YouTube to Sonos (which has a Sonos connect in between the computer and speakers - giving me full computer sound throughout my sonos system and allowing my desktop speaker system to be Sonos speakers - another very good dual purpose method and no more expensive then the Play:3 I used to have in my office).

I too am interested to see how Chromecast Audio works, particularly in a multi-room environment. They say that this capability will be available in the future, but I have not seen an ETA.

As it is now, I see Chromecast Audio as more direct alternative to an an AirPlay system than a Sonos system. The capabilities that the forthcoming Chromecast app supports will be the key to making it a true Sonos competitor.

That being said, people should keep in mind that Chromecast Audio is far from "wireless". To cobble together even just a stereo pair that is most similar to a Sonos pair of Play1/3/5, you would need...

Powered speakers
Chromecast Audio
Power running to Chromecast Audio device
Power running to powered speakers
And something I've not seen mentioned...speaker wire connecting the 2 speakers

If you go the route of using an amplifier, even more wiring is required. And, grabbing 1 of the speakers to move to a different room or bring outside and plug in is certainly not nearly as convenient.

Further, adding a sub to a Chromecast Audio setup would add more wiring, require outputs from the powered speakers, or require an external amp.

I am not trading in my Sonos system.

That being said, people should keep in mind that Chromecast Audio is far from "wireless". To cobble together even just a stereo pair that is most similar to a Sonos pair of Play1/3/5, you would need...

Powered speakers
Chromecast Audio
Power running to Chromecast Audio device
Power running to powered speakers
And something I've not seen mentioned...speaker wire connecting the 2 speakers

This is not really an accurate comparison. It only applies if you are using Google's own Chromecast Audio dongle, which is basically comparable to the Sonos CONNECT (at a fraction of a price). Google is partnering with various companies to add Google Cast for Audio support directly to their all-in-one speakers. So hardware competing directly with the Sonos PLAY line exists (Sony and LG are already shipping), it's just not being made directly by Google. So the start of the hardware ecosystem is there, and if Google delivers multi-room synchronization that works well, then the one main advantage Sonos has evaporates.

I'm not about to ditch my Sonos gear, either. But without them adding Google Cast for Audio support, I'm not likely to expand it, either. Audio content providers don't want to support multiple APIs for accessing whole-home speaker systems. So when faced with selecting between implementing Google Cast for Audio and implementing Sonos' proprietary API, I don't see many putting developer resources into Sonos going forward. Further, the Sonos Controller app tries to make all content providers a one-size-fits-all and is also aimed at making the branding Sonos rather than that of the content provider. As a content provider, you absolutely want to control your brand experience, and making your own app with user experience tailored to your service will be 1000x more appealing than implementing Sonos' API and showing up as just another random Music Service in Sonos' app. It's better for the end users, too (witness all the desperate cries for Sonos to implement Spotify Connect because the Sonos Spotify experience blows donkey balls compared to Spotify's native app).

And yes, Google Cast for Audio is similar to AirPlay. Except it has one big difference: it works on both Android and iOS. So again, for developers, it makes more sense to support Cast than it does Airplay from a development effort and support perspective. But to be fair, I think Sonos should also implement an Airplay receiver, since the Apple ecosystem is pretty large on its own. With Spotify caving and implementing Google Cast support, I think Sonos was probably smart to pass on Spotify Connect as I expect hardware vendors to abandon Spotify's proprietary streaming in droves now and only implement Google Case for Audio.

I thought (well, rather hoped) that when Google launched their own Play Music app which did allow you to 'Cast' to individual Sonos speakers directly from their app - that this would be available to other content providers, but sadly this didn't pan out. Some time after that Google made their Cast Audio announcement and I guess focus has been elsewhere.

However, the Google (lets call it) experiment - does prove that Casting is technically possible on existing equipment - so there is hope for the future.

Chris, it will be interesting to see how the Google device works in your setup. I had used a bluetooth device on a Play:5 to stream music. I ran into an issue which only seems likely to be worse with the Google device.

When I go out, I often just turn off the speaker using the power switch on the speaker. The problem was that the bluetooth adaptor was live, so my phone was still sending the music to it. The online site only stopped sending songs when i got out of bluetooth range. It is my understanding that the Google device runs independent of the phone once launched. So if I launch Spotify from my phone using the cast function, and then turn off the speaker, it sounds like Spotify will just continue to send music to the Google device. It could be hours or even days playing with no one listening.

I realize I'm not directly paying for the extra streaming. But obviously any cost to Spotify will eventually be passed onto the listeners. I can see the streaming services only playing for an hour or so and then requiring a positive response that someone is there.

Yes if you were listening to Spotify radio I assume it would just keep going. I will let you know what I find when I get it. Would be nice if a setting in the Google audio device to disconnect overnight.

This is not really an accurate comparison. It only applies if you are using Google's own Chromecast Audio dongle, which is basically comparable to the Sonos CONNECT (at a fraction of a price).

My entire comparison was about Chromecast Audio dongle...I should have added the word "dongle" to my 1st sentence. But we are in agreement overall, with 1 exception...

You state "which is basically comparable to the Sonos CONNECT (at a fraction of a price)"...I think the missing piece is we don't yet understand the implementation and efficiency of the new Chromecast App for multi-room systems. This could make/break the experience.

I will do a review of the single when I get it. Should receive next week.

I think we would all agree that a Google Cast parnertership similar to what LG and Sony have In place with Google would be the perfect multi room setup.
We have all stayed away from these other "newbies" going down the route that Sonos invented and brought to the market way before anyone else.
Hopefully Sonos have a great relationship with Google and the Cast option will be rolling out soon.
By the way my moto stream is working a treat connected to my play 5! I think I would keep it connected just to have the added bonus of nfc connection.

I've invested heavily in Sonos, but that has stopped for now. Moving into a new house next week, and will likely wait for more casting support from Sonos, or just leave all together. I can't justify spending so much money on a closed system when so many new options are coming to the market. Being able to cast directly from original native apps is simply just easier and faster in most cases when compared to using the Sonos app. I think the Sonos app is fine, and probably useful in certain situations, but I've literally decided to not listen to music at times because of going through 2 or 3 extra steps. Lazy? Sure! But we've paid a lot of money to have the best.