Google Assistant Support

We don’t know but expectation would be by this summer. I would expect personally may-June based on normal Sonos development cycles. This is guess as Sonos doesn’t give timeframes.

I agree that the decision is probably a business one, but I doubt Google has the blame here. Google is in a mad competition with Amazon, and wants as much hardware as possible integrated with the Google Assistant. Also, having the ability to integrate with users' music library works in favor of Google too, as it shows the potential of having equivalent access to an much larger library via the paid service. Besides, Sonos already has access to music libraries via the app, and that includes libraries shared from home computers via the desktop version of the Connector.

Regarding who has something to gain with the restriction, it probably has to do with who gets the data being collected. It would not surprise me if this is at the heart of the artificial limitation. All I can say is that, as a consumer, I am standing at the losing end. As much as I love the sound quality of my Play 5, it is no longer the only kid in the block. It hasn't been for some time. I would not consider purchasing another Sonos product until this is addressed appropriately.

Sonos has stated many times in the past that the requirements for premium or paid subscriptions are decided by the service providers and that they, Sonos, have no input on those requirements.

I would not be surprised if this is indeed the case -- that the limitation is imposed by Google. In fact, I seem to recall a few years ago, that the same issue on Google Play Music access came up with Google Home as well. But then, after numerous user complaints, it was "fixed".

If this is indeed the case, it would still seem that Sonos is still in the best position to potentially address the issue with the service provider, given their already established relationship with the firm (contacts already established in previous licensing and sharing discussions, etc.). Also, Sonos would have access to their user usage statistics and Google Play Music access issue statistics (gathered from Sonos usage data, this forum, and other sources), which would put them in the best position to best represent the user community in discussions with the provider.

Anyways, crossing fingers that our voices are heard...

Well the google home was a £80 black Friday deal, and for that price works ok in the kitchen by the sink.
It has been fun with GPM and sending my cloud based photos to the kitchen tv, really easily. We hardly ever looked at digital stored photos before.
£349 connect versus £15 CCA optical linked, is good enough for my needs.

I'm hoping for this feature too as Google Assistant is definitely better than Alexa - I'm using both now. The only concern I have about the release is that Sonos has removed any mention of Google Assistant on the Sonos One webpage when you shop for it. I seem to remember the page mentioning Google Assistant or at least "other voice services" when I ordered Sonos One before Christmas.

I just got an update for my Sonos one but to my dismay there was no google assistant in it :?:@:(

What’s going on sonos ?

Thanks for your post, ernestotle. We haven't yet announced a release date for this functionality, hence its exclusion from the update. We will be sure to forward your desire for it, the more the better. Let us know if you need anything else.

Can’t wait for the Google Assistant on my Sonos One.

I was originally told that Sonos one would have google assistant early 2018 before Q2.
Who told you that?

I'd say there's more chance of airplay 2 support coming before google assistant. Airplay 2 should be relatively easy to implement.

This has been frustrating me also,

However, I heard a demo of the Panasonic GA10 today and I have to say, it was excellent..
I realise Panasonic make Technics and that this isn’t a Technics branded product but it was very impressive.
Pls hurry up Sonos,.!

I have posted my desire for GA in other forums. But like others would be really keen for it to appear as soon as possible. Getting fed up with Alexa not understanding what I want!

It would not surprise me if Amazon paid for a N month exclusive. Integrating GA is just not that hard.

That would go against every historical relationship that Sonos has ever had. They have declared service and voice assistant neutrality. Their API has always been free to any service, they have never paid for any licensing and have not given exclusivity to any service. For them to give exclusivity to Amazon would be very unusual, given this history.

A little perspective here might be good. Yes, the feature will be nice to have but holy cow, talk about first-world problems.

I suspect this is the reason companies are hesitant to give dates in the first place. If something gets delayed, people are super whiny about it, implying false advertising, etc. So the whinier people get about it, the more they confirm Sonos's sense that giving a release date is a bad idea.