Security/Privacy with Era 300/100 Series Voice Enabled Speakers: Are SL Models Really Needed/Required?

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Hi

With the introduction of the Era 300 and Era 100 models Sonos gave the user two options to protect their privacy regarding voice assistants:

Privacy Tap: Deactivates the voice assistant by tapping the speech bubble on top of the speaker. The light will turn off. You’ll still have access to other mic-enabled features, like Trueplay. *
Security Switch: Prevents accidental activation of the voice assistant by toggling off a switch on the back of the speaker. This method disconnects all power to the microphone for added privacy/security.

Most likely the above privacy/security options will be introduced on whatever the replacements/upgrades will be for the Arc, Beam, Move and Roam. As well as any new models Sonos decides to release.

As the title implies some are still hoping Sonos will introduce Era 300/100 SL models with no voice assistant capability a’la the Sonos One; and briefly the Arc. IMO hardware isn’t the answer.

If you recall (upon initial introduction) the price difference between the Sonos One and Sonos One SL was a mere $20 ($179 vs $199 respectively). The price difference between the Arc and Arc SL was $50 ($799 vs $749 respectively). The Roam has a similar pricing strategy.

As the Sonos One, Arc and Roam were already on the market incorporating the Security Switch would have necessitated the release of new models too soon. FYI, the Privacy Tap feature was already incorporated in the design of those products...it’s just being marketed differently with the Era series.

So at the EOD; Sonos had two hardware SKU’s for each of the aforementioned products which; IMO, had negligible price point differences. Multiple SKU’s for the same product (with only a minor difference) causes manufacturing and logistical bottlenecks.

If people want more Security/Privacy with the Era series (and subsequent Sonos voice assistant enabled product releases) IMO is should be Software based. I may be wrong; but it shouldn’t be too difficult for Sonos to incorporate an option (for the account owner) to override the Security Switch with a password in the Controller App. Said option would affect all speakers globally. Think of it in the same vein as a “parental control”.

I can’t wait to read your opinion(s) on this 😅

* Privacy Tap feature is just being marketed differently with the Era series; as all voice enable speakers allow for this option.

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AjTrek1Author

@106rallye

It was never about replacing the Security Switch. I was suggesting a secondary option to allow the account owner to enter a code that would prevent the Security Switch from being turned off. The end game was to negate the need for SL models of the Era series. Some feel the SL models with no speakers are still needed to eliminate any option of a Voice Assistant listening. Meaning they don’t trust a hardware switch either. So what was your comment about “paranoia” going to be….😂

SKU pronounced “skew” stands for Stock Keeping Unit. It’s used to track product inventory.

EOD stands for “End-Of-Day. Another way of saying “when it’s all over” or “ finished”.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

C

craigski

Local Superstar

Just a thought, for those that are concerned/paranoid about devices listening in, what about exploring the use of communicating via different methods, eg sign language, for those ‘private’ conversations, could be a useful life skill to learn.

jgatie

@106rallye

It was never about replacing the Security Switch. I was suggesting a secondary option to allow the account owner to enter a code that would prevent the Security Switch from being turned off. The end game was to negate the need for SL models of the Era series. Some feel the SL models with no speakers are still needed to eliminate any option of a Voice Assistant listening. Meaning they don’t trust a hardware switch either. So what was your comment about “paranoia” going to be….😂

SKU pronounced “skew” stands for Stock Keeping Unit. It’s used to track product inventory.

EOD stands for “End-Of-Day. A another way of saying “when it’s all over” or “ finished”.

I’m not sure that the paranoid are going to trust a hardware switch with some type of software element any more than they trust a hardware switch on its own. You and I both know the software element is in addition to the hardware switch, with the hardware switch being the final security link, but as soon as you mention software in any capacity, people who are prone to complaining are going to dive deep down the conspiracy hole. Hell, most of those folks are already so far into that hole, there’s no going back.

Yet they still have their phones taking down every conversation they have and every click they tap. It’s like the poster who requested to be able to access Sonos via 4G (or was it 3G?) because they don’t want all that harmful “WiFi radiation” in their home. There’s just no reasoning with them.

melvimbe

I don’t think it’s a matter of whether an SL version of Era speakers is needed, but whether it’s wanted. If SL versions are created, it will not be out if need. It would cost Sonos more to convince customers that the hardware switch is enough for privacy, and surely won’t convince everyone, than it would be to just make an SL version.

I personally wouldn’t get an SL version, just because I want the flexibility to use the speaker however I may want to in the future. But I do like having the hardware switch too if I ever want to use the speaker in a guest room, or bathroom, where a guest may want a little more assurance that their... actions... are not being recorded.

Just a thought, for those that are concerned/paranoid about devices listening in, what about exploring the use of communicating via different methods, eg sign language, for those ‘private’ conversations, could be a useful life skill to learn.

I used to know a married couple where they both knew sign language and would use it rather frequently to communicate in crowded, loud spaces or where they just wanted to say “this party is boring, I’m going to fake an illness as an excuse to leave”.

Danny

AjTrek1Author

Thanks to everyone who participated. It will be interesting to see if Sonos does release SL versions of the Era 300/100 speakers. The decision may hinge upon if there was a significant up-tick in sales when the SL versions of the Sonos One and Roam were released. 🤔

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

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