Will Sonos support Google Cast for Audio?

• Chrome Cast doesn't require licensing, but Google doesn't support on iOS and WP8, and on desktops only as Chrome browser plugin which litters your system with java instances
• Spotify Control is proprietary and so complex that it can't be understood without documentation
• AirPlay requires licensing and HW encryption key which needs to be licensed from Apple

Take your pick where Sonos should bind its resources.
Pretty sure you can cast on IOS 8.

• Chrome Cast doesn't require licensing, but Google doesn't support on iOS and WP8, and on desktops only as Chrome browser plugin which litters your system with java instances
• Spotify Control is proprietary and so complex that it can't be understood without documentation
• AirPlay requires licensing and HW encryption key which needs to be licensed from Apple

Take your pick where Sonos should bind its resources.
Casting in iOS is AirPlay. Casting from. Then the receiving device has requirements.

• Chrome Cast doesn't require licensing, but Google doesn't support on iOS and WP8, and on desktops only as Chrome browser plugin which litters your system with java instances
• Spotify Control is proprietary and so complex that it can't be understood without documentation
• AirPlay requires licensing and HW encryption key which needs to be licensed from Apple

Take your pick where Sonos should bind its resources.
You can still cast from apps iOS 8 though, google music, movies, iplayer, netflix etc.

• Chrome Cast doesn't require licensing, but Google doesn't support on iOS and WP8, and on desktops only as Chrome browser plugin which litters your system with java instances
• Spotify Control is proprietary and so complex that it can't be understood without documentation
• AirPlay requires licensing and HW encryption key which needs to be licensed from Apple

Take your pick where Sonos should bind its resources.
Yes and there are multiple ways then to get that I to sonos.

Just a bit of an update to everyone. Seems like the rollout of Audio for Cast for audio is imminent.; How do I know this? Update to HBO Croatia app was released yesterday, with Chromecast support. Clicking on chromecast icon also lists my Sonos system. I think it is just a matter of Google adding other apps to their whitelist so they become available to us. Great to know and confirm that Sonos hasthis built in already.
Thanks for the feedback, jabba. Keep us posted if you learn any more...

I found another Android app that is able to see my Sonos system as Chromecast. "Plex".... Unfortunately, I was not able to successfully connect to the system so we are not quite there yet. I am guessing next firmware upgrade will be the one that will officially get Sonos on the list of supported "Cast for audio" devices. A bunch of other apps listed on Google's official page are not seeing Sonos, so hope this is coming soon.

I found another Android app that is able to see my Sonos system as Chromecast. "Plex".... Unfortunately, I was not able to successfully connect to the system so we are not quite there yet. I am guessing next firmware upgrade will be the one that will officially get Sonos on the list of supported "Cast for audio" devices. A bunch of other apps listed on Google's official page are not seeing Sonos, so hope this is coming soon.
The Sonos speakers are discoverable through DLNA, so any application that queries for DLNA players on the network will receive a reply from them. So from the sound of it, you're just observing something that has been there for several years.

I found another Android app that is able to see my Sonos system as Chromecast. "Plex".... Unfortunately, I was not able to successfully connect to the system so we are not quite there yet. I am guessing next firmware upgrade will be the one that will officially get Sonos on the list of supported "Cast for audio" devices. A bunch of other apps listed on Google's official page are not seeing Sonos, so hope this is coming soon.
To your point Enhanced, the Sonos components can be controlled via DLNA.

The challenge for a developer is more around identifying the right messages that need to be exchanged to query and control grouped and bonded players.

This is where almost all DLNA based approaches fall short. If you have a grouped setup the audio stream needs to be sent to grouphead and not a group member in order to play the stream on all speakers within the group/zone.

AirSonos and other solutions have the same challenge; Its ok for a 'quick and dirty' playback but the zone/queue messaging is difficult to decipher. Sonos has a partner API but i don't know if anybody can signup who doesn't represent an actual streaming service (like Google Music, Tidal etc)

 

Looks like the rivals are soon to hit the stores:
http://itechtriad.com/2015/04/14/lg-google-cast-music-flow-soon/

While I'm not prepared to part with the Sonos devices yet, I for one won't wait forever. I don't want Sonos's unique selling point to be that they only work with the Sonos app and a rather dodgy connection to Google Music (mine doesn't work reliably and Sonos tech support haven't been able to fix it). 

Sonos, would you be able to just give an update on this idea, even though we realize obviously you have nothing to announce at this time? Is this idea currently being investigated or is it just marked for the future?