When does Sonos expect to have support for Google Assistant?
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Why wouldn't they be able to release it on older hardware? They added Alexa support to 13 year old hardware. The fact is, most Voice Assistant processing is done in the Cloud. Alexa hears a command, and sends it to the Amazon Cloud. The Cloud processes the command, and it routes it to the Sonos Cloud. The Sonos Cloud then interprets the command and sends it to the Sonos device(s). Since the commands from the Sonos Cloud to the Sonos devices are Voice Assistant agnostic (and basically no different than the commands from an app controller), there is absolutely no reason why Google Assistant cannot do the very same thing, with no more overhead on the Sonos devices than there is today.
Basically, the Sonos devices don't really care where the commands are coming from; app, cloud, Alexa, Google Assistant, PC, home automation system, etc. The commands are the basically same from all of them, and require nothing more than what the devices have on them today, even the ones manufactured back in 2005.
Yeah for one reason the software may not fit on the old hardware. It is not about the commands being processed locally or in the cloud. The second reason is probably they will have version two of the product that the manufacturer would like to promote instead of version one of the hardware.
yeah, but I don't think any manufacturer will add new features to an old hardware. Do you think Sonos will add new feature like google assistant to hardware released about 1-2 years ago? I am losing hope especially on the support for GA on the Sonos one.It has been almost 6 months since the release and no signs of any GA support so far.
Why wouldn't they be able to release it on older hardware? They added Alexa support to 13 year old hardware. The fact is, most Voice Assistant processing is done in the Cloud. Alexa hears a command, and sends it to the Amazon Cloud. The Cloud processes the command, and it routes it to the Sonos Cloud. The Sonos Cloud then interprets the command and sends it to the Sonos device(s). Since the commands from the Sonos Cloud to the Sonos devices are Voice Assistant agnostic (and basically no different than the commands from an app controller), there is absolutely no reason why Google Assistant cannot do the very same thing, with no more overhead on the Sonos devices than there is today.
Basically, the Sonos devices don't really care where the commands are coming from; app, cloud, Alexa, Google Assistant, PC, home automation system, etc. The commands are the basically same from all of them, and require nothing more than what the devices have on them today, even the ones manufactured back in 2005.
Why wouldn't they be able to release it on older hardware? They added Alexa support to 13 year old hardware. The fact is, most Voice Assistant processing is done in the Cloud. Alexa hears a command, and sends it to the Amazon Cloud. The Cloud processes the command, and it routes it to the Sonos Cloud. The Sonos Cloud then interprets the command and sends it to the Sonos device(s). Since the commands from the Sonos Cloud to the Sonos devices are Voice Assistant agnostic (and basically no different than the commands from an app controller), there is absolutely no reason why Google Assistant cannot do the very same thing, with no more overhead on the Sonos devices than there is today.
Basically, the Sonos devices don't really care where the commands are coming from; app, cloud, Alexa, Google Assistant, PC, home automation system, etc. The commands are the basically same from all of them, and require nothing more than what the devices have on them today, even the ones manufactured back in 2005.
You can't be serious with this statement. Firmware updates with new features is very common these days. Pretty much anything that's connect to the internet, and even many things that aren't, will get regular firmware updates. Often, these are minor features and mostly bug fixes, but bigger features are more common on higher end products like phones and wireless speakers.
Sigh.
Uhhh, read my post again. The required software is already there!!! And yes, it is very much about the commands being processed locally or in the cloud. If they were being processed locally, you would need to fit all the Alexa and Google Assistant logic on the device. But since they are processed in the Cloud, the only thing you need on the device is the ability to process generic commands coming from an app, a PC, a home automation device, or a voice assistant in the cloud, and as I said, that capability is already there!!!
As to the last part, if Sonos had only wanted to promote new devices instead of old, why would they release Alexa for the ZP100 and ZP80 from way back in 2005? Tell me what is different about Google that requires new software only on new devices, instead of working with 13 year old hardware like Alexa does? Otherwise, you are creating a problem out of nothing.
What if the GA enabled software image does not fit on the EMMC or the CPU or RAM is not sufficient to process google assistant as efficiently as the alexa. Anyway no reason to sigh....I guess we will know the truth this year :-)
Yeah for one reason the software may not fit on the old hardware. It is not about the commands being processed locally or in the cloud. The second reason is probably they will have version two of the product that the manufacturer would like to promote instead of version one of the hardware.
Sigh.
Uhhh, read my post again. The required software is already there!!! And yes, it is very much about the commands being processed locally or in the cloud. If they were being processed locally, you would need to fit all the Alexa and Google Assistant logic on the device. But since they are processed in the Cloud, the only thing you need on the device is the ability to process generic commands coming from an app, a PC, a home automation device, or a voice assistant in the cloud, and as I said, that capability is already on the device!!!
As to the last part, if Sonos had only wanted to promote new devices instead of old, why would they release Alexa for the ZP100 and ZP80 from way back in 2005? Tell me what is different about Google that requires new software only on new devices, instead of working with 13 year old hardware like Alexa does? Otherwise, you are creating a problem out of nothing.
Sigh.
Uhhh, read my post again. The required software is already there!!! And yes, it is very much about the commands being processed locally or in the cloud. If they were being processed locally, you would need to fit all the Alexa and Google Assistant logic on the device. But since they are processed in the Cloud, the only thing you need on the device is the ability to process generic commands coming from an app, a PC, a home automation device, or a voice assistant in the cloud, and as I said, that capability is already on the device!!!
As to the last part, if Sonos had only wanted to promote new devices instead of old, why would they release Alexa for the ZP100 and ZP80 from way back in 2005? Tell me what is different about Google that requires new software only on new devices, instead of working with 13 year old hardware like Alexa does? Otherwise, you are creating a problem out of nothing.
Dear Lord. Once again, THE GOOGLE ENABLED SOFTWARE IMAGE IS ALREADY THERE!!!!!!!!!!!
Sonos has the ability, RIGHT NOW!!!!! to be controlled via a voice assistant from the Cloud. ANY VOICE ASSISTANT!!!! It can also be controlled by an app, a PC, a Mac, and a half dozen standard Home Automation systems. It does this via a set of generic commands THAT ARE ALREADY LOADED ON THE SONOS DEVICES!!!!! Therefore, the only thing needed to get Google Assistant working is to finalize the Google Cloud -> Sonos Cloud commands. Because the Sonos Cloud -> Sonos devices commands ARE ALREADY WORKING for Alexa, the Sonos apps, Wrensilva, TunesMap, Lutron, iPort, Wink, Yonomi, Enno and any other company that wants to use them via the "Works with Sonos" API.
It's possible, probable even, then there will need to be a firmware update to sonos devices when GA is implemented. However, it highly unlikely that firmware is going to be significantly different in size/scope to the firmware update for Alexa. Sonos One may be an exception since it will need to handle taking voice commands as well. However, Sonos has promised that it will work with GA, and not building in enough horsepower to handle it would be a tremendous failure. Not to mention, as jgatie pointed out, this is primarily a cloud update.
There will most definitely be a firmware update for older devices, at the very least to give the ability to list Google Assistant as one of the available Voice Assistants, plus the capability to link between Sonos and whatever app interface Google uses for Assistant. But as you said, that is not a significant change to the firmware.
Hey, Awesome flow chart. This makes is clear now. I was under the impression that Sonos would have two different images to support both variants. Didn't think both AMZN and GOOGL would be keen on a co-existing environment.
There will most definitely be a firmware update for older devices, at the very least to give the ability to list Google Assistant as one of the available Voice Assistants, plus the capability to link between Sonos and whatever app interface Google uses for Assistant. But as you said, that is not a significant change to the firmware.
But that's for the Sonos One only right? I could be misremembering, but the setup for Alexa integration had no configuration on the Sonos side, it was only on the Alexa side. I would guess that Google will work the same. So if you're not using a Sonos One where you would need to tell it where to send voice commands, nothing is needed.
As an aside, assuming this is correct, a Sonos system should be able to work with Alexa and Google at the same time. it may even been that the Sonos One works with Alexa and Google at the same time, and will rely on the wake word to know where to send the voice commands.
But that's for the Sonos One only right? I could be misremembering, but the setup for Alexa integration had no configuration on the Sonos side, it was only on the Alexa side. I would guess that Google will work the same. So if you're not using a Sonos One where you would need to tell it where to send voice commands, nothing is needed.
As an aside, assuming this is correct, a Sonos system should be able to work with Alexa and Google at the same time. it may even been that the Sonos One works with Alexa and Google at the same time, and will rely on the wake word to know where to send the voice commands.
There is a configuration on the Sonos One, where you have to select the Voice Assistant in the Sonos app under the Settings. Also, I thought the Sonos app launched the Alexa app (or was it vice versa?) to link the two, even for non-Ones, in order to register accounts, etc.? Anywho, that is only on the app, not the firmware. But a release is a release, right? 😉
I imagine Sonos insisted upon it. They are the ones footing the bill for the Sonos cloud to translate other commands into generics. Sonos has always taken care to remain agnostic when it comes to partnering up; even if it takes more work in the beginning, it pays off in the long run. Otherwise, they would have just done a "Alexa, tell Sonos to . . . " skill and been done with it.
There is a configuration on the Sonos One, where you have to select the Voice Assistant in the Sonos app under the Settings. Also, I thought the Sonos app launched the Alexa app (or was it vice versa?) to link the two, even for non-Ones? Anywho, that is only on the app, not the firmware. But a release is a release, right? ;)
Kind of a shame that you can't setup Google and Alexa at the same time. it would have been fund to see if you could get google to talk to Alexa and vice versa. maybe setup some sort of infinite loop.
If "more = the better. " me too.
I have a Sonos One that I rarely use. I would definitely use it more if it had Google Assistant. I would move the Google Home to another room and use the Sonos One exclusively in the kitchen/dining area.
How long could it possibly take to add Google Assistant support?
How long could it possibly take to add Google Assistant support?
Are you volunteering to help make it happen faster?
I would expect this summer as always have.
I would expect this summer as always have.
If there were something I could do to make it happen then I would be willing. The Sonos One seems like a good speaker, but I currently don't use it.
Sonos app with it is much more powerful than voice control. There is a 3rd party method to control it via google. Yonomi https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/01/14/can-now-control-sonos-speakers-google-home-yonomi/
We have a Google Home in our kitchen and use it for various things including listening to music. I have the Sonos app and other apps like Google Play Music. I prefer to use Google Assistant in that environment.
I know there is a 3rd party method of controlling the Sonos. I'm not interested. We'll continue to use the Google Home until Google Assistant support is available on the Sonos. And we'll continue to not use the Sonos until that happens.
Sonos has said they will add Google Assistant support. My only point is - better sooner than later.
I know there is a 3rd party method of controlling the Sonos. I'm not interested. We'll continue to use the Google Home until Google Assistant support is available on the Sonos. And we'll continue to not use the Sonos until that happens.
Sonos has said they will add Google Assistant support. My only point is - better sooner than later.
Sonos stated Google Assistant support is coming in 2018. Last I checked, my calendar still says 2018. Though perhaps you can find another 3rd party speaker that has support for 5.1 surround, stereo pairing, separate subwoofer, and also has Google support.
Fully aware that Sonos said coming in 2018 AND that it still is 2018, thanks tho.
As I said, better sooner than later. I'll stand by that.
As I said, better sooner than later. I'll stand by that.
I was excited when I originally saw that. But then I tried it. Complicated and cumbersome for control over only simple commands. You have to set up a Routine in Yonomi for ever single thing you want to do. So if you want to use your voice to start a specific song or an artist - each one has to have its own Routine. If I want to play it in the kitchen, or the living room, or both - that's three versions of every routine. Not practical.
I ended up setting up my Google Homes with Chromecast Audios into my Sonos Connects. Easy to do and it allows me to do almost anything I want to do with my voice. The main limitations I have now are increasing volume above the default (initial) volume and moving music from room to room. It's easy to to start the music in the combination of rooms you want, but once it's playing you have to use the App or start over to add/change rooms.
The Sonos website said Google Assistant is coming Q1 2018 which has passed. You may want to try contacting Amazon if you bought it there, as I did last week about 2 Sonos Play One's I bought, saying I bought it because they said this was coming and it still isn't here so it's bait and switch. They actually let me return both of them for a full refund. So over Sonos.
The Sonos website has never stated Q1 2018 and the official press release states "coming in 2018". If you have proof of your assertion, please supply a link.
With the news of the BEAM SOUNDBAR there's more chatter about Google Assistant integration.
Any news on Google Assistant integration with the Play One's now Sonos?? Come on, we've been pretty patient...
Any news on Google Assistant integration with the Play One's now Sonos?? Come on, we've been pretty patient...
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