Best answer by Jeff S
This is an older thread, but I wanted to post and update to make sure everyone knows that we've added AirPlay 2 support to Sonos. You can read more about the integration here.
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AirPlay 2 request
Userlevel 5
+2
I understand that SonosNet is allegedly superior to Wi-Fi/AirPlay for streaming.. but I hope Sonos re-considers the decision to not implement AirPlay. Now with AirPlay 2 supporting HomeKit integration, I really do not desire purchasing a Sonos Connect & Airport Express for every room in order to stream to all of my Sonos speakers outside of the Sonos app and tie-in to HomeKit.
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To be fair, I don't believe 'tweens' even fall on Sonos's radar.
Userlevel 5
+2
To be fair, I don't believe 'tweens' even fall on Sonos's radar.
There are music services Sonos has opted to spend time making deals with and implementing into their ecosystem that have a much smaller user base and impact on their company. The point I think tokeriis was trying to make is that instead of trying to play whack-a-mole, take out the whole garden with including the protocol which doesn't hinder anyone's current environment.. only adds capability and a better user experience for many.
Userlevel 5
+2
I listen to podcasts on my iphone using an app (downcast) to download the podcasts so I have them locally on the device. I just want to play those podcasts, from my phone, on my decent speakers. That's all. I don't want to have to buy an airport express and a play:5 or a connect (costing many hundreds of pounds). I don't want to hack together a raspberry pi or other pc as a work around. I don't care that the sound quality over airplay might be slightly less than perfect. It's a podcast in a noisy kitchen. Every time I have to pause my podcast because the dishwasher, washing machine or kettle is on because I can't hear the iPhone's speakers, I get just a little bit annoyed with Sonos.
They have chosen not to implement Airplay for a reason, as is their right. I don't know what that reason is, so I don't understand it. And so it annoys me.
What I pick up when reading through threads like these is that there are many different use cases. I use my speakers as described above, others use them differently. Which is why I would always advocate introducing flexibility into the system. Sonos need to look at feedback and decide where they want to dedicate their limited resources. I understand that they can't implement every requested feature. Again, this is why flexibility is needed. Offering native Airplay support alongside native chromecast audio would mean that regardless of where the audio is, online/local, supported service or not, I can play what I want on my hundred of pounds worth of speaker system.
Yes!! Exactly
I am not exactly sure how airplay would make my own experience bettter (got playbar 2 sonos 1 and one 5 and a sub and also use them with line in cd player). I use playbar and appleTV and can mirror my iphone/ipad. I doubt that introducing airplay would make any bigger diference. I do not use apple music (tidal is the way for me). in my country apple homepod will not be anyway supported since siri does not speak my language (as is the case with amazon echo and google home). I also doubt that when thinking hi-fi homepod (being a universal unit) can outbeat my setup. multiroom is what sonos does quite well (despite few drawbacks). Also apple stuff is gettting more and more expensive (so I am thinking about switching to android). So once again, what do I lose without airplay?
.
apple great at throwing others under the bus
Please integrate ios11. Smart home = smart sound.
I listen to podcasts on my iphone using an app (downcast) to download the podcasts so I have them locally on the device. I just want to play those podcasts, from my phone, on my decent speakers. That's all. I don't want to have to buy an airport express and a play:5 or a connect (costing many hundreds of pounds). I don't want to hack together a raspberry pi or other pc as a work around.
But you can do this:
How to listen to Podcasts on Sonos
Have a favorite podcast you want to listen to on Sonos? Browse and play podcasts on-demand using Radio by TuneIn. You can also download podcasts to your computer or mobile device, or use another available streaming service on Sonos to stream your favorites.
Streaming podcasts from the Internet
Radio by TuneIn comes preconfigured on your Sonos system with a large catalog of podcasts to choose from. Use the search bar, making sure to search under “Podcasts & Shows” to find your favorite podcasts and shows, or browse what’s available by selecting Radio by TuneIn > Talk.
Depending on your geographical location, there are other music services you can add to Sonos that allow you to stream podcasts as well. Stitcher and Spreaker are two services that are available globally that have a vast podcast catalog. Find out what other streaming music services are available on our website.
Streaming podcasts from your computer
Sonos can play podcasts that have been downloaded to your computer and saved on the hard drive. Just make sure to share the folder where the podcasts reside with Sonos. Each time you download a new podcast, you must re-index your music share for the Sonos system to see it.
Podcast will show up under Music Library > Artist in the Sonos app if the metadata is supplied (not all podcasts do this). They may also be listed under the Music Library > Genre > Podcasts.
Streaming podcasts from your phone or tablet
Android:
For podcasts to show up in the Sonos app under "On this Mobile Device," they must reside in the “Podcasts” folder on your Android controller. The podcasts folder should be in the root directory of your Android device. If you have podcasts located in your Music folder, the podcasts will be listed under Music - not Podcasts.
iPhone / iPad:
Use the preinstalled “Podcasts” app to download your favorite podcasts to your iOS device and watch them appear instantly under Sonos music menu > This iPhone / iPad. Podcasts downloaded with any other 3rd party app will not appear under “This iPhone / iPad.”
Haven't most of us dumped the Bridge in favor of direct WiFi? I do agree though that if that was all it takes to implement AP2, I would happily reintroduce the Bridge.
Has anybody loaded hacked firmware onto Sonos speakers? Worst case, maybe we could hack our speakers into Airplay 2 machines? I do hope Sonos chooses to support as many standards as makes sense, and I think Airplay 2 makes sense now that no extra hardware is required.
Userlevel 1
I fully agree. Even if we get the start that Spotify has allowed with Sonos, for Apple Music, we will be on the right track.
it's all about the ecosystem.
Userlevel 5
+2
I opted for the BOOST for the very reason of utilizing the SONOSNET. Putting an 802.11ac NIC in it for airplay & other streaming technologies input wouldn't take away the ability to play higher quality streams traditionally (the SONOS way). Think having eco & sport mode on vehicles.. just because you use one doesn't mean the other functionality is gone. Use sport mode when you want to or use eco mode when you want that functionality.
Userlevel 5
+2
I have not but I'm considering setting up a janky way to airplay stream using this method:
https://medium.com/@stephencwan/hacking-airplay-into-sonos-93a41a1fcfbb
It'd be cool to gain root on the sonos and implement airplay myself.. but that's way above my current skill level.
Userlevel 5
+2
Sonos will be fine
Not a fanboy of any one company.. just a fan of current hardware & software setups that I can afford. That being said my thread is not one to claim Sonos' deathbead, superiority of anyone's gear of choice. I simply wanted to voice my opinion on why I would like Sonos to re-consider not implementing AirPlay and to hopefully engage developing AirPlay 2 into their lineup. There has been no argument that has countered why having AirPlay 2 implemented would hurt the Sonos ecosystem except for the negatives I mentioned in an above post.
-Licensing cost
-Non technical people might not opt to use SonosNet or steer from using the embedded streaming services unless they want discover that it allows them to stream even without having their media devices on the network. (for these people, they aren't audiophiles anyway)
-Developer hours"
OK Sonos, when do you release your HomeKit compatible bridge? Even Philips managed to make the Hue bridge HomeKit compatible :b
This argument doesn't make much sense to me. I currently have 2 home automation hubs I use regularly (Smartthings and Lutron), and my Sonos is integrated with both of them . I do have my speakers integrated into the scenes so to speak. We also know that Sonos has an Open API. So if you can't integrate your speakers with Homekit, why are you blaming Sonos and not Apple?
You say that Phillips made their product compatable with homekit, are you sure it's not the other way around? I'm almost positive it is.
As for the Airplay, never used it, never cared to. I have no idea how much of a marketshare it holds. I can see the benefit of compatibility, but I don't know what it costs SONOS, how willing Apple is to integrate, nor whether it could be done with existing hardware (I doubt it). I wouldn't be surprised if Apple doesn't want to license Airplay 2 to Sonos since it's a competitor in some sense. Perhaps they don't like that Sonos went to Amazon for IA integration before them.
All that said, I would like to see SONOS come up with a device that's sort of a 'universal source'. Inputs only, RCA, headphone jack, Bluetooth, and airplay if it makes sense. But I would not go far as to say that I know better then the guys running SONOS regarding the direction they need to go.
Userlevel 5
+2
The API is for the development by the manufacturers of automation equipment. For HomeKit integration, I'm pretty sure Sonos would have to develop the implementation on their end I believe (meeting Apple's standards and getting approval for the HomeKit compatible logo)
Nonsense. AirPlay is licensed to other high-end audio speaker manufacturers. Even ones that Apple has been in litigation with.
Userlevel 2
Only one brand I care about is missing this feature being supported and clearly it's very important for some of us... Now that I know they're supporting airplay 2, I'm just waiting on better than sonos' Spotify Connect support (not difficult - why can't I set volume and group with the "integration" of connect?!?!) Spotify Connect appearing on Bose Soundtouch devices personally (and I am heavily invested in sonos hardware).
If Sonos fails on this, I'm sure you'll be able to find another Play:5 and have a pair!
First world problems: 1) I need to use my hands to play music 2) have to click few times more 3) my virtual ecosystem isn't flawless.
Get real and talk to people from Aleppo, Donbas, Venezuela or North Korea.:@
Don't turn this into a politic al discussion. What harm is it to you if a sizable portion of this community is interested in this feature? Everyone gets aded functionality without YOU having to sacrifice anything.
Userlevel 7
+17
Well the apple stores were selling sonos directly, so some shop customers assumed they supported airplay.
Apple stores seem to have dropped selling sonos now...
Apple stores seem to have dropped selling sonos now...
Userlevel 1
Bose dropped Airplay 1. Are they now supporting Airplay 2? Did they not learn from the first fiasco that caused them to relaunch their entire line?
As per the picture in this article https://9to5mac.com/2017/06/05/apple-announces-airplay-2-w-multi-room-support-new-social-features-in-music-more/ you can see Bose are listed as a partner who will be supporting AirPlay 2. It is not clear yet but in some cases it might be possible to issue a simple firmware update to upgrade from AirPlay 1 to AirPlay 2.
It would be interesting to find some "meat" about the differences between Airplay 1 and Airplay 2. How much difference is there?
No, I am willing to sell my Sonos gear in order to make my friends's, my wife's, and my life easier by not requiring the use of either the clunky Sonos app or the weird cludge for making AirPlay work.
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