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Contributor I
Mar 12, 2021 10:03 AM UTC
Answered

Explain to me like I’m an idiot...

Explain to me like I’m an idiot why Google Assistant isn’t available in certain countries. Why can’t it just be “switched on”. I live in Japan. I get why maybe Japanese language support isn’t ready but for those of us that are happy to communicate in English, why can’t we have the option?

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Smilja
SmiljaAnswer
Mar 12, 2021 11:07 AM UTC

That’s subject to country-dependent copyright and media law, trade law is also involved. Are Google Home devices available for purchase in Japan?

»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)

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Smilja
SmiljaAnswer
Mar 12, 2021 11:07 AM UTC

That’s subject to country-dependent copyright and media law, trade law is also involved. Are Google Home devices available for purchase in Japan?

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»And the world is like an apple whirling silently in space, Like the circles that you find in the windmills of your mind.« (›Windmills Of Your Mind‹ [1967]. Music by Michel Legrand ; English lyrics written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman)
106rallye
Mar 12, 2021 12:21 PM UTC

There's conflicting messages about the answer question if it still works to change your country of residence in the profile on the Sonos website to a country that has GA (i.e. US, UK or the Netherlands).

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Contributor I
Mar 12, 2021 1:31 PM UTC

That’s subject to country-dependent copyright and media law, trade law is also involved. Are Google Home devices available for purchase in Japan?

Yes, Google Home devices are sold locally with Google assistant working well in both Japanese and English. That’s why I’m frustrated - everything except my Sonos system can be controlled by voice. I can use assistant to play music through the Google hub, but obviously it’s no Sonos!

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Contributor I
Mar 12, 2021 1:32 PM UTC

There's conflicting messages about the answer question if it still works to change your country of residence in the profile on the Sonos website to a country that has GA (i.e. US, UK or the Netherlands).

I’ve tried it but it hasn’t worked for me. 

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Enthusiast I
Mar 18, 2021 7:26 PM UTC

I wouldn't worry about it. Google assistant on Sonos is rubbish - you're not missing anything. 

If you want GA buy from Google. 

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