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Ditsy
Enthusiast I
May 18, 2019

Enable both Alexa and Google Assistant

  • May 18, 2019
  • 17 replies
  • 11503 views
We are not able to enable both these voice assistants but are forced to choose. I'm sure I'm not the only one assuming Amazon, Google or both companies are actively preventing us from enabling both at the same time. I have however seen media reports that Sonos have publicly stated this is to enhance user experience. We'll probably never know the full reasons why this isn't currently possible.

I've created this thread so that those of us wishing for both to be enabled can clearly state that our user experience would be enhanced by being given the option to enable both assistants on the same device at the same time.
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    17 replies

    Show previous replies
    soundscape_l
    Lyricist II
    September 12, 2019
    I eventually hope to use both voice assistants in all the main rooms of our home, as each voice service has its own benefits.


    +1 on this feature request
      gf73f7823md92fi9023
      Contributor I
      October 13, 2019

      I eventually hope to use both voice assistants in all the main rooms of our home, as each voice service has its own benefits.
      +1 on this feature request
      +1
      Luca.davanzo
      Contributor I
      November 7, 2019

      +1 to this request

        insight
        Lyricist II
        December 2, 2019

        Auto switch Voice Assistants awaiting "Ok Google" & "Alexa" instead of App based switch?

         

        Why cant it have BOTH; wait for "Ok Google" and "Alexa" instead of switching from one to the other through App? 

         

        Why not make the VOICE TRIGGER the Switch instead of the App? 

        houshasen
        Contributor I
        December 14, 2019

        Auto switch Voice Assistants awaiting "Ok Google" & "Alexa" instead of App based switch?

         

        Why cant it have BOTH; wait for "Ok Google" and "Alexa" instead of switching from one to the other through App? 

         

        Why not make the VOICE TRIGGER the Switch instead of the App? 

         

        For this I think Sonos need own voice assistant/processing agent. Since saying Alexa on Google mode won’t trigger anything on Google or vice versa.  

        If something like this to take place, I’d think Sonos need local voice assistant and first process command through it and pass to appropriate agent when needed. Maybe this is indeed the reason why they just acquired Snips?😊

        insight
        Lyricist II
        December 15, 2019

        Auto switch Voice Assistants awaiting "Ok Google" & "Alexa" instead of App based switch?

         

        Why cant it have BOTH; wait for "Ok Google" and "Alexa" instead of switching from one to the other through App? 

         

        Why not make the VOICE TRIGGER the Switch instead of the App? 

         

        For this I think Sonos need own voice assistant/processing agent. Since saying Alexa on Google mode won’t trigger anything on Google or vice versa.  

        If something like this to take place, I’d think Sonos need local voice assistant and first process command through it and pass to appropriate agent when needed. Maybe this is indeed the reason why they just acquired Snips?😊

        They probably do not. The Mic/ Hardware is the same. 

        They have access to client modules of both, but are switching passing on the inputs to G or A based on App switching. 

        Instead of switching using an OR based on an App Switch, maybe they do an AND and pass input to Both and see who, or if any one of them responds affirmative recognition and use the one whose name was called based on their response. 

        Not very difficult to do. 

        DoctorSteve
        Lyricist III
        December 30, 2019

        Not sure if you’ve seen this story: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-50842062

        A new alliance spearheaded by Amazon, Apple, and Google ...

        Called Project Connected Home over IP (CHoIP), the goal is one that’s eluded the smart home space since its inception: “To enable communication across smart home devices, mobile apps, and cloud services and to define a specific set of IP-based networking technologies for device certification.” 

         

        I would imagine once this is created, Sonos will be at the forefront on integration.

         

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