What is Sonos' plan for transitioning from Google Assistant to Gemini?

Thanks Corry.

That said, my concern isn’t about GA, as I still have that functionality.  The issue I have is that it does not appear I’ll be able to use Gemini with my Sonos system.  In effect, this means that in order to keep using my Sonos system, I have to live with using old assistant tech (that will likely be phased out by Google), while the rest of the world powers ahead.  This creates the issue of, ‘do I keep Sonos and lose advanced AI functionality in my home - or do I replace Sonos with a system that isn’t limited’ going forward?

Especially in the world of AI, assistants, chatbots, home integration … things are moving so fast and advancing so quickly, that I’d guess most people will opt to move on from Sonos if a solution isn’t found that allows us to use our speakers with all the new intelligent systems out there.  Not everyone, but a good number of us for sure.

I love my Sonos which is why I’m posting.  Hope Sonos can solve this riddle.

Cheers.

Hi ​@Lyphe 

Thanks for your feedback!

I don’t use voice assistants much myself. What Gemini functionality would you find so irreplaceable that you’d want to swap out all the speakers you already have in favour of ones that might not sound quite as good, and at no insignificant cost? I am genuinely interested and can pass feedback along.

Please bear in mind that our own Voice Assistant, Sonos Voice Control, is specifically designed for the express purpose of asking for music and controlling where it ends up, rather than answering questions, but can run in parallel with Alexa, who can answer such questions. 

I do also recommend that you add your voice to the following feature request thread:

Hi Corry,

Expanding on the direction of AI and AI assistants in the world is a bit beyond the scope of this discussion, but a good analogy would be .. finding out the computer you used every day would not be internet capable, just as the internet was becoming a mainstream thing.  

Even without this macro view, which can differ in importance to different people … GA will disappear as Gemini expands.  If Sonos isn’t Gemini-capable, then it means all access to google assistants will be lost.  No disrespect to what Sonos is creating via their own voice assistant, but it will not be in the same league as Gemini or other Tier 1 AI assistants.

So to circle back around to your question.  If I want a unified home with a single assistant and sound system, then I either need Sonos to work with Google or I need to move on to a new system that is compatible and future-ready.  

 

Hi ​@Lyphe 

Thanks, but that’s nothing concrete that I can pass along.

What actual functionality are you looking for, that can only be fulfilled by a LLM (Large Language Model) powered Voice Assistant?

I’m sure your engineers are quite aware of all the functionality provided by LLM’s, but I’ll provide something you can pass along since you asked:

• Basic web search
• Book an appointment for me
• Dictate and send an email
• Look through my text messages for an old discussion referencing Italian vacations
• Check what time an incoming flight will land
• Generate a comparison of historical data and provide me with an answer
• Create a recommended gym routine
• Change the level of my Lutron lighting system
• Low the temperature of my Nest thermostat
• Tell me if somebody is at the door via my connected video doorbell
• Build me a low sugar recipe for banana muffins that includes pumpkin spice
• Write me a unique anniversary poem for my wife
• Provide a summary of all non-Sonos speakers that are gemini capable

In a home that has speakers which are all Gemini capable, all of the above could be done from any room with a speaker in it via voice, from a couch without moving.  Given that every room in my house currently has a Sonos, I’d like to be able to do this with my existing Sonos system.

I’ll add to the list:

• adjust my Hue lights;
• adjust my Somfy blinds;
• command my iRobot vacuum;
• command my Navimow mower;
• command my Samsung TV.

All in my native language.

I notice I’m not as inclined to use the smart functions (agenda, flights etc.) but if this would work well that would be a bonus.

Google assistant on Sonos is now randomly working for me. The Sonos app allowed me to connect to Google assistant. Before it just timed out and didn't launch the assistant app, when trying to configure.

I wonder if this will change to Gemini on 1st Oct - let's hope!

Hey Corry, folks,

Appreciate the ongoing engagement on this topic

To further answer Corry’s question:

> What actual functionality are you looking for, that can only be fulfilled by a LLM (Large Language Model) powered Voice Assistant?

I control my Sonos devices primarily through voice assistants, and treat them accordingly

A specific example of an LLM being unique for me would be when I’m in my kitchen, cooking, and have some random question I’m interested in asking my Sonos one. I can say something like “List the top 10 nutrients in said ingredient, and explain what each does using peer reviewed research” and Gemini can do that. Or to be a bit less random, I can say “Set a timer for an hour (when my meal is ready) and change the smart lightbulbs to red when it goes off”

In short, there is a flexibility with Gemini that Google Assistant cannot compete withm nor will it ever.

On the engineering front, you might consider that Google Assistant the API you integrate will become deprecated sooner than later, especially now that Google has made Gemini generally available on all their first party hardware. You will lose Google Assistant API access once this is proven out.

At the end of the day, the ideal customer for a Sonos is someone who is a bit more tech savvy, likely has some smart home devices in their house like a Sonos one, and values the geekier features that justify the additional cost. They probably have chosen a path to control their house of either Alexa or Google, and dont want an additional Voice assistants that can do some things but not others.

It will always be cheaper and easier for a customer to replace one set of smart devices in their house for another, vs replacing the entire service powering their home.

I love my Sonos speakers, but if they cannot be compatible with my home setup, that is a Sonos problem not a me problem. I can always switch them out for others.

This is a good answer.  I’m still trying to get Alexa  to set the timer in the kitchen, not the bedroom.

Probably not what people want to hear, but I don’t think Sonos supports GA on any of the devices they currently sell, it’s only supported on ‘legacy’ devices.  That means if the GA API is no longer supported by Google, Sonos doesn’t need to be concerned about maintenance costs for supporting it either.  It would be Google that breaks the status quo, not Sonos.  Some customers may not like that, but it seems unlikely they were going to go out and buy a new speaker anyway if GA/Gemini was a deal breaking feature for them.

There are customers like that for sure, but there definitely are those that are not tech savvy and choose Sonos because it’s wireless and relatively easy to use. 

I can’t speak for others, but I made the decision when Sonos Voice control came out to use SVC for controlling the speakers, because you can use Sonos specific commands like grouping that GA or Alexa can not.  And I liked that everything was locally processed.  I still use Alexa, but with a few exceptions, that with echo products, because echos and process some commands that Sonos speakers cannot.  I have not regretted that decision at all. 

By ‘’entire service powering their home’ are you referring to what voice assistant you use or what smart home controller you use?  I can’t say I agree with that assessment, especially now with Matter being adopted by many/most smart devices.  I use Alexa now, but if I wanted to switch to Google, I doubt all but 1 or 2 of my smart devices would not be compatible.  Replacing echo devices with Google home would only be a couple hundred at best.  Replacing my entire Sonos system would be more expensive.

We're also waiting to see how it all turns out. HA is working for me for now. But when it stops, I'll change the manufacturer...