Not as much talk about yesterdays sonos anouncment as I would have expected from such a passionate community. So what are people thinking?
Obviously Amazon Echo has impacted SONOS but how do you go from hiring new people and planning a retail store to cutting staff?
What's next ? Should we be concered about making more current investments in sonos hardware (I really want to buy a sub)?
People have been posting for months about voice support and for years about DTS.
The standard response is sonos doesn't comment on future enhancements or new products.
We know what we have today and there pretty darn good products but we all want to be excited and look forward to what's coming next.
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Well, I was WAY wrong on this speculation two years ago. @jgatie was correct, they went with Alexa, not Houndify. I did get the part about the new speaker(s) with integrated mics correct, though! ;)
What I MEANT to say back then was that PANDORA was going to integrate Houndify. :D
https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/01/15/pandora-app-gets-voice-controls-powered-by-soundhound/
I honestly don't care to have a nother voice control thing on my phone. Alexa, Google, and Bixby is more than enough. I rarely use the Pandora app directly, but when I do, i can't imagine I'll be using voice control.
As for Sonos going with Houndify, I wouldn't be too surprise they eventually adopt some sort of 3rd party voice assistant at somepoint in the future. Amazon and Google don't/can't give Sonos all the music related features that they would want, and also tend to push Sonos in directions they don't want to go. A 3rd party option could be very useful if gives Sonos the flexiblity to get voice control features that fit their system better.
Sonos will use an existing voice enablement service; it would take years to develop their own. Likely Houndify, which is as capable as Alexa.
https://www.houndify.com/
They will sell a standalone microphone array device, small and possibly portable, so it could also be used for room tuning. Later, they will integrate microphone array into new/refreshed speaker line.
They will begin to work with one of the home automation providers, probably one that already integrates with the voice service they choose.
Interesting. So you think Sonos is going whole hog in taking on Amazon instead of utilizing the Echo/Alexa interface. Ambitious take. I can see it happening, but will/can they be that bold? One thing I do agree, they are going to use/aquire outside tech. There's no way they can start from scratch. Which may be why they are cleaning up, it could be opening up space (financial and work space) for new talent. It may be that the base tech is pretty set, and new blood is needed.
Well, I was WAY wrong on this speculation two years ago. @jgatie was correct, they went with Alexa, not Houndify. I did get the part about the new speaker(s) with integrated mics correct, though! ;)
What I MEANT to say back then was that PANDORA was going to integrate Houndify. :D
https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/01/15/pandora-app-gets-voice-controls-powered-by-soundhound/
Userlevel 7
+22
Hey must be pretty impressed with echo. I have been impressed if it just had more skills. Compared to Siri and the like Amazon still falls behind. Although seems to be catching up quickly and the stand alone device does make a difference. I have my dot on way to compliment the full echo. It wasn't much use to me until I integrated it with my Smartthings routines. It will do play and stop on Sonos for me in addition to much of my home automation. Flexibility and relying on one voice device instead of many seems to be key and being open source Amazon has started a nice ecosystem
Frankly surprised Sonos has ruled out SoundHound. It's amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=M1ONXea0mXg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=M1ONXea0mXg
Google just opened access to its speech recognition API, a more generalized API than AVS, but interesting. I developed a large traffic information system for a large state using the Nuance engine in the "cloud" (actually well before the word "cloud" was in general use), so this stuff is interesting to me. VXML and grammars back then, none of this "skills" stuff, lol.
http://techcrunch.com/2016/03/23/google-opens-access-to-its-speech-recognition-api-going-head-to-head-with-nuance/
http://techcrunch.com/2016/03/23/google-opens-access-to-its-speech-recognition-api-going-head-to-head-with-nuance/
Have done a bit of reading on Amazon Voice Service. Looks like Amazon has built in a major restriction: 3rd party products need to activate the service using a button press, not by speaking "Alexa". That's a major roadblock for Sonos adopting AVS. It would require the end user to purchase an Echo or Dot for the full voice command experience.
For those who are loathe to purchase an extra piece from someone else, or are anti-Amazon, or are against (to use an old SE phrase) "hanging a bag off the box", incorporating the Alexa tech into future hardware is an elegant solution.
Agreed, but for those of us with a lot of current Sonos hardware, the Echo Dot makes the most sense.
I'm speculating they will. However, techies can be pretty fickle. For those who are loathe to purchase an extra piece from someone else, or are anti-Amazon, or are against (to use an old SE phrase) "hanging a bag off the box", incorporating the Alexa tech into future hardware is an elegant solution.
As an aside, I (and others) find it interesting that a recent job listing at Sonos has "microphone array" experience as a desired skill, whereas there are no listings desiring voice recognition. Seems to point to the hardware being done in house and the voice recognition itself being pre-packaged.
Again, all speculation on my part.
Why not just integrate with the Echo Dot?
Well, the Play:5 Gen 2 has microphones. But yes, the rest would have to be retrofitted, or Sonos would have to come out with an Echo Dot type standalone microphone array.
Userlevel 2
+7
If the Alexa tech is embedded, this would be for a new series of Sonos products - as unlikely this could be retro-fitted .... this would leave some millions of existing installations out in the cold - so an integration with one (or many) other providers via some form (or forms) of API may provide a shorter time to market for voice control over Sonos..... maybe they could integrate it within the Sonos app on your phone - as this already has a microphone.
It is all guesswork to those outside of Sonos at the moment.
It is all guesswork to those outside of Sonos at the moment.
Why would they need to support another API if the Alexa tech is embedded in the Sonos devices? There would be no need.
Userlevel 2
+7
Yes, Sonos could use the Amazon/Alexa API ... but what about Apple? Google most likely in the future too.
Or they could publish their own (Voice Partner API).... but would Amazon/Apple/Goole want to also code to Sonos' API.
I work in an IT company, and we see this all of the time ... do I use your API, or do you use mine?
Most likely (as with the Music Partners API) they might have to support multiple versions to get the broadest reach - as this may be in their best commercial interests rather than tying to a single voice control technology/partner. Other players like Spotify, Deezer etc may also feel a need to step into this field to ensure relevance.
Or they could publish their own (Voice Partner API).... but would Amazon/Apple/Goole want to also code to Sonos' API.
I work in an IT company, and we see this all of the time ... do I use your API, or do you use mine?
Most likely (as with the Music Partners API) they might have to support multiple versions to get the broadest reach - as this may be in their best commercial interests rather than tying to a single voice control technology/partner. Other players like Spotify, Deezer etc may also feel a need to step into this field to ensure relevance.
Actually, Sonos standardized on a single Music Partners API for music services to use. It is only when services go outside the API or have other non-standard requirements when things go awry (BBC, Audible, Spotify). Echo/Alexa technology is made available to incorporate into other hardware, letting third parties use Alexa as a standardized voice UI interface. This is exactly like the Music Partners API, except instead of reinventing the wheel, Sonos would be using the already available Alexa API.
Userlevel 7
+17
Isn't that another problem, trying to support everything out there from BBC, audible, amazon prime music, seems to cause most complaints on here when services change and sonos can't keep up. Amazon Echo haven't got to keep up with what apple are doing etc etc
Userlevel 2
+7
One idea, as I read through this thread - is why would Sonos stick with a single voice control and/or home automation system, they haven't taken this approach with streaming services ... they support many.
Userlevel 7
+17
a new high profile departure...
http://www.engadget.com/2016/03/28/sonos-product-head-marc-whitten-has-left-the-company/
http://www.engadget.com/2016/03/28/sonos-product-head-marc-whitten-has-left-the-company/
What are the sales figures?
They're the number of units an item has sold but that's not important right now!
Sorry, couldn't resist that...
Okay, but don't call me Shirley!
If you read the billboard article it's because Sonos are hearing lots of people talk about voice control. It might be a distant third to you but not the general public it appears.
Yes, but Echo is then a dead end, if more units are to be added across the home and played in sync? Even where they are to be played as independent zones, will they do this as well as Sonos can, as distances from the WiFi router increase as they would for other rooms?
The standalone speaker market really isn't a Sonos domain, even if the nature of the play 1 units allowed that to be accessed for a while. Why the sudden attraction to it then?
I can understand the need for Sonos to be a better user experience for the streaming services user, but having to add voice to compete with Echo seems to be knee jerk reflex.
The standalone speaker market really isn't a Sonos domain, even if the nature of the play 1 units allowed that to be accessed for a while. Why the sudden attraction to it then?
I can understand the need for Sonos to be a better user experience for the streaming services user, but having to add voice to compete with Echo seems to be knee jerk reflex.
Echo sales are apparently denting Play:1 sales pretty badly, at least that's my thought as to why Sonos is suddenly having to change their strategy.
I am not very familiar with the product hence the question: While I understand that Echo has voice control, can one place a few units around the home and do all that can be done with an identical number of 1 units? Via streaming services as well as a local library, with the same level of stability in music play?
And is the sound quality in the same ball park, allowing things like stereo pairing? Presumably at this time there is no Sub?
No, Echo doesn't compete in SQ or multiroom. However, the Play:1 was, until recently, the #1 selling home wifi speaker, ideal for those who were moving up from bluetooth speakers. Suddenly, the Echo is a runaway bestseller, can play Pandora, etc, and has cool voice control and home automation, all for $20 less than the Play:1. It's getting all the press in the same publications where consumers used to read about how good Sonos is, like the highly influential Consumer Reports. Plenty of consumers who were saving up for a Play:1 are now buying Echos instead.
Echo sales are apparently denting Play:1 sales pretty badly, at least that's my thought as to why Sonos is suddenly having to change their strategy.
I am not very familiar with the product hence the question: While I understand that Echo has voice control, can one place a few units around the home and do all that can be done with an identical number of 1 units? Via streaming services as well as a local library, with the same level of stability in music play?
And is the sound quality in the same ball park, allowing things like stereo pairing? Presumably at this time there is no Sub?
I think that delivering a better streaming experience is much more important that the voice thing. Sonos needs to have something like casting, where anything that is being played/heard on a smart device can be streamed to play from the speakers, using the native service app.
There is also probably a market for an app that can interface with a local NAS and do all the tricks that can be done with how a local library is accessed and then have the music play via Sonos hardware. That ought to address the 65k issue as well.
The Sonos controller would then be used for just hardware housekeeping chores.
I think that at this time voice comes a distant third, though I suppose there is a future in it once applications become pervasive across various possible uses, not just as a gimmick for playing music from a particular service provider.
There is also probably a market for an app that can interface with a local NAS and do all the tricks that can be done with how a local library is accessed and then have the music play via Sonos hardware. That ought to address the 65k issue as well.
The Sonos controller would then be used for just hardware housekeeping chores.
I think that at this time voice comes a distant third, though I suppose there is a future in it once applications become pervasive across various possible uses, not just as a gimmick for playing music from a particular service provider.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7256313/sonos-ceo-john-macfarlane-from-the-desk-of
Or maybe Siri. I do agree that Alexa is much more likely though.
What are the sales figures?
They're the number of units an item has sold but that's not important right now!
Sorry, couldn't resist that...
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