Sonos One and Google Assistant

  • 23 February 2018
  • 33 replies
  • 28263 views

Userlevel 1
Full integration between Google Home and Sonos One

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33 replies

Userlevel 7
Badge +22
In the works - I personally would expect it mid-year
Userlevel 4
Badge +4
I'd maybe expect it around the year 2020 if it's anything like the Audible promise by Sonos.
Userlevel 2
This is really annoying. I only bought the Sonos one because of the promise of Google assistant integration. I don't use Alexa. I could have just bought the play 1. It wouldn't be as annoying if Sonos offered some sort of timescale rather than vague promises.
Userlevel 2
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I'd maybe expect it around the year 2020 if it's anything like the Audible promise by Sonos.
And not even 2 weeks after you posted that quip Audible support was rolled out. Patience people. They're delivering what they said they would, but it takes time. Whenever they release Google Assistant support, I just hope it's stable/reliable. That's the most important thing. Right now I'm only leveraging Alexa at home, but I'd love to try out Google Assistant with the Sonos One's I've been slowly adding to my collection.
I would also point out that the Alexa skill is still in beta and doesn't even support local libraries yet. It would be nice if Sonos could finish their first voice integration project before diverting resources into a whole new voice platform.
I would also point out that the Alexa skill is still in beta and doesn't even support local libraries yet. It would be nice if Sonos could finish their first voice integration project before diverting resources into a whole new voice platform.

Can you point me to where Sonos promised Alexa would support local libraries? You formerly said the CEO's mentioning that they are looking into local libraries means nothing, now you are acting as if it was guaranteed to be coming. Can't have it both ways, mike.
I would also point out that the Alexa skill is still in beta and doesn't even support local libraries yet. It would be nice if Sonos could finish their first voice integration project before diverting resources into a whole new voice platform.

Can you point me to where Sonos promised Alexa would support local libraries? You formerly said the CEO's mentioning that they are looking into local libraries means nothing, now you are acting as if it was guaranteed to be coming. Can't have it both ways, mike.


I did not think the CEOs statement was definitive on local libraries until you convinced me that his statement was the equivalent to a commitment so now I'm looking forward to Sonos delivering on that. At this point though all there is for Alexa control is a beta skill with a ducking problem. It would be nice if Sonos could deliver a production release of some sort before moving on to the next voice platform.


I did not think the CEOs statement was definitive on local libraries until you convinced me that his statement was the equivalent to a commitment so now I'm looking forward to Sonos delivering on that. At this point though all there is for Alexa control is a beta skill with a ducking problem. It would be nice if Sonos could deliver a production release of some sort before moving on to the next voice platform.


Damn you like to play both sides against the middle! You and I both know I never said his comment was a commitment. I merely stated that it was mentioned by the CEO after you said they have no intention of ever doing it because they are phasing out local libraries in favor of streaming.

But you knew that, didn't you mike?
Oh and mike? I have never been able to convince you of anything in all the years we have both been here, yet here you are convinced by a statement that I never even said? How convenient! :8
In terms of appealing to the largest volume of customers by functionality changes, it makes sense that google integration would come before additional features on the Alexa integration. Besides that, I would guess that Google is more willing to work with Sonos in order to stay competitive than Amazon is. I would even go so far as to guess that a Google integration will be more robust than the Alexa integration, possibly allowing additional music sources, local libraries, or named groups. That in turn could motivate Amazon to work with Sonos to improve the Alexa integration.

So yea, even if your not a Google Home user (and I'm basically not), I don't have a big problem with focusing on Google integration over other features which may more directly impact me. I see it more as a rising tides lift all boats or sort of thing.
Userlevel 4
Badge +5
This is really annoying. I only bought the Sonos one because of the promise of Google assistant integration. I don't use Alexa. I could have just bought the play 1. It wouldn't be as annoying if Sonos offered some sort of timescale rather than vague promises.

It's hard to see what you have to be annoyed about here. Sonos never said anything other than Google Assistant support will be added in 2018. Before you decided to buy you should have read that as it might not get added until 31 Dec 2018.

If they delay until 2019 I could understand annoyment.
Userlevel 7
This is really annoying. I only bought the Sonos one because of the promise of Google assistant integration. I don't use Alexa. I could have just bought the play 1. It wouldn't be as annoying if Sonos offered some sort of timescale rather than vague promises.

Your Lesson Learned

In the TECH world you should never buy solely on promised integration and/or support which is obviously what you did. The world of Tech is highly volatile and circumstances can change at any time. Sonos has to negotiate rights to Google Assistant the same as for streaming services and those negotiations can stall at any time.

However, in your case you read more into Sonos promise (for lack of a better term) to integrate Google Assistant with the Sonos One than was actually stated (as well as those who gave the thumbs-up to your post). Sonos will most likely bring Google Assistant to the Sonos One sometime in 2018. I'd say it's a better bet than waiting for Siri to be integrated as that was mentioned also. But if you are completely dissatisfied with the Sonos One and/or feel betrayed...there's always eBay. Cheers!

I love the sound of my Sonos One but Amazon's Alexa is like talking to (yelling at) a brick wall. The thing might as well say "I can't do that Dave." Anyone know a way to get into the google assistant beta program?
In the works - I personally would expect it mid-year

So what do you think the big April update will be? It can't be for AirPlay 2, since Apple has fumbled that badly. I was thinking Audible, but that's mostly done. So, it could be Google Assistant... or not. I would prefer it to be full Alexa integration, with (finally) support for the AudioPlayer interface, so that thousands of podcasts can be voice controlled via Stitcher or AnyPod skills, the Radio Paradise and MyMedia skills would work, etc. This is a huge hole in the current Alexa implementation.

https://developer.amazon.com/docs/alexa-voice-service/audioplayer.html
I love the sound of my Sonos One but Amazon's Alexa is like talking to (yelling at) a brick wall. The thing might as well say "I can't do that Dave." Anyone know a way to get into the google assistant beta program?

I have both, but rarely use the Google Assistant. Alexa does what I ask 80% of the time, at least, and is getting better all the time. There's no comparison when it comes to breadth of skills; Alexa has far more. We won't even mention the pathetic Siri, lol.
This is really annoying. I only bought the Sonos one because of the promise of Google assistant integration. I don't use Alexa. I could have just bought the play 1. It wouldn't be as annoying if Sonos offered some sort of timescale rather than vague promises.

Yeah, likewise, I bought just after Christmas 2017 and I remember seeing March 2018 as the mooted launch date. I did at the time wonder how they'd sorted for Alexa and not for Google. It's pretty disappointing in an otherwise excellent experience with Sonos, but it does take the edge off it for me when I've essentially paid a wedge more for what I'm guessing is exactly the same speaker with a slightly nicer box on the outside.

You'd expect them to have this resolved before launching the product really.
This is really annoying. I only bought the Sonos one because of the promise of Google assistant integration. I don't use Alexa. I could have just bought the play 1. It wouldn't be as annoying if Sonos offered some sort of timescale rather than vague promises.

Your Lesson Learned

In the TECH world you should never buy solely on promised integration and/or support which is obviously what you did. The world of Tech is highly volatile and circumstances can change at any time. Sonos has to negotiate rights to Google Assistant the same as for streaming services and those negotiations can stall at any time.

However, in your case you read more into Sonos promise (for lack of a better term) to integrate Google Assistant with the Sonos One than was actually stated (as well as those who gave the thumbs-up to your post). Sonos will most likely bring Google Assistant to the Sonos One sometime in 2018. I'd say it's a better bet than waiting for Siri to be integrated as that was mentioned also. But if you are completely dissatisfied with the Sonos One and/or feel betrayed...there's always eBay. Cheers!



While I do appreciate the sentiment...what you're basically saying is, don't trust what Sonos says because they're just like everyone else? Maybe I should just buy Bose in the future then?

Doesn't seem to align to Sonos brand value - which is to redefine the customer experience. That includes doing what you said you were going to do & beating customer expectations. Perhaps we're naive to think Sonos would delivery Google integration quickly, but ultimately Sonos should be doing a much better job of managing the customer experience than they have done.

"We’re constantly looking for ways to improve the experience – with new products, new software and continually investing in ways to provide our customers with the best experience possible. We’re doing what we set out to do. Changing the way people listen to music – one home at a time."
I'm happy If i can just say, play album x or play song y and GA plays it on my Sonos Play 3 as Sonos will be set as my default speaker once this will be possible. Don't need more. Just that and I would be a very happy panda 🙂 Not in the market for a new Sonos One. I do love Sonos, it's a great product, but they are soooooo slow. It's almost a year now since they first spoke of integrating ga. But hey, there's hope, yesterday we got the Ikea Tradri integration ...
I must say that I am impatient too. FYI, a few well designed Yonomi routines will allow you to use your Sonos system with a Google Home / Google Assistant device. It is not support but it is integration via the third party app. I have some favorites set up, a volume boost routine, and a pause routine. I just use my Google Home speakers for ad hoc tunes and such. It's going to have to do until Sonos steps up.
I personally put any additional Sonos purchases on hold until Sonos show they keep their Google Assistant promise. I purchased into the Sonos echo system that I will be able to use Google Assistant that is proven superior to any other voice assistant.
Userlevel 7
Badge +21
This is Alexa Integration all over again. If you look through, and lived through, last years posts and frustrations on when this would appear you will find Sonos say very little until the product drops. You may get "by end of year" statements but anything with more detail is very rare. Not defending Sonos here, just managing your expectations. Waiting for new functions is a frustrating pastime.

Personally now I always buy based on what the product can do for me now rather than any promised future functionality. Been burnt too often by other companies (step forward MS, Apple, Nokia and many others) 😞
#featurerequest please save me from the tyranny of Alexa. I can't tell you the number of times I've asked for something and it comes back with some non-sensical response with me saying "Alexa, you're worthless." or "Alexa, WTF?".
Userlevel 7
Badge +22
Also with Airplay2 compatibility coming this summer you also have the Siri alternative (not that its better). But with Google too that give sonos compatibility with all 3 competitors.
In terms of appealing to the largest volume of customers by functionality changes, it makes sense that google integration would come before additional features on the Alexa integration. Besides that, I would guess that Google is more willing to work with Sonos in order to stay competitive than Amazon is. I would even go so far as to guess that a Google integration will be more robust than the Alexa integration, possibly allowing additional music sources, local libraries, or named groups. That in turn could motivate Amazon to work with Sonos to improve the Alexa integration.

So yea, even if your not a Google Home user (and I'm basically not), I don't have a big problem with focusing on Google integration over other features which may more directly impact me. I see it more as a rising tides lift all boats or sort of thing.


The Internet says that Google was coerced into the partnership by some kind of IP issue. So you've got Sonos with more promises than they have developers, and you've got a reluctant partner in Google. Sigh. Maybe there's some kind of ascetic benefit to the soul from hearing Alexa tell you she has no idea what the heck you are asking her to do.

The Internet says that Google was coerced into the partnership by some kind of IP issue. So you've got Sonos with more promises than they have developers, and you've got a reluctant partner in Google. Sigh. Maybe there's some kind of ascetic benefit to the soul from hearing Alexa tell you she has no idea what the heck you are asking her to do.


Where'd you get that information from? I'd love to get more details.