Question

Amazon Echo


Userlevel 1
When will Sonos release the Amazon Echo app they have been talking about since August 2016???

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However, it's a pretty good indication that they're getting much closer to a release of some kind. Well within the 2017 time frame promised, too. Although perhaps I shouldn't be so optimistic, it could be a beta test situation, who knows? But an indicator of progress, to be sure.
Userlevel 2
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Interesting post on Alexa/Sonos here: http://www.aftvnews.com/sonos-integration-with-amazons-alexa-inches-closer-to-release/
I am a little skeptical as my updated version of the app shows different heading at the top - as well as identification of app and devices.
Userlevel 6
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[yawn] 😉


Just like I feel about people who still play garage rock and punk :D:$:D


Sigh. :8
Userlevel 6
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Actually, as stated before, I find your affection for failed technology quite quaint, not goading at all. Just like I feel about people who still play Atari era games and Laser Discs. It's cute; in a sad, nostalgic sort of way.

It's your continued off-topic shilling of that technology, which is against the TOS of this forum, that I find annoying.


Just like I feel about people who still play garage rock and punk :D:$:D
Actually, as stated before, I find your affection for failed technology quite quaint, not goading at all. Just like I feel about people who still play Atari era games and Laser Discs. It's cute; in a sad, nostalgic sort of way.

It's your continued off-topic shilling of that technology, which is against the TOS of this forum, that I find annoying.
Userlevel 6
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I'm not shilling for squeezebox ... all I'm doing is relaying my experience with voice control of audio devices. I'm just trying to introduce some actual experience in the face of so much speculation. I have Sonos devices also, but yes, they are used mainly as part of my LMS system.

Your charge of spamming, etc. is just ridiculous.


You repeatedly post messages touting the features of a competing "product". Your post in another thread that "Well, meanwhile the Alexa-Squeezebox integration continues apace. ...." has nothing to do with relaying experience, it's touting Squeezebox's implementation over Sonos' "late" (in your opinion) one. That's spam, and you know it.


We could argue over style and semantics ... but why bother?

I've raised some experiences using the echo voice control system. There are only two skills (as far as I know) which can control audio systems (the SB alpha, and BandCamp for JRiver). I reported on the one I used & pointed out some of the issues I've encountered.

The fact that SB has features which Sonos does not, and vice versa, is simply that, a fact. Overall, I prefer the SB experience, you don't. So what?

And to further goad you (just joking!), I probably have to admit that overall we use the Echo system natively more than either SB or Sonos. I expect you'll now accuse me of shilling for Amazon next.


I'm not shilling for squeezebox ... all I'm doing is relaying my experience with voice control of audio devices. I'm just trying to introduce some actual experience in the face of so much speculation. I have Sonos devices also, but yes, they are used mainly as part of my LMS system.

Your charge of spamming, etc. is just ridiculous.


You repeatedly post messages touting the features of a competing "product". Your post in another thread that "Well, meanwhile the Alexa-Squeezebox integration continues apace. ...." has nothing to do with relaying experience, it's touting Squeezebox's implementation over Sonos' "late" (in your opinion) one. That's spam, and you know it.
Userlevel 6
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Ok castalla, we get it. You like Squeezebox. May I remind you of this forum's TOS? Spam is not permitted, and I dare say if Squeezebox was actually a viable commercial product, instead of a failed one kept alive by geeks in their basement, your posts shilling for them would be deleted by now. Let's move this thread back on topic, not to mention back within the TOS of this forum, shall we?

I'm not shilling for squeezebox ... all I'm doing is relaying my experience with voice control of audio devices. I'm just trying to introduce some actual experience in the face of so much speculation. I have Sonos devices also, but yes, they are used mainly as part of my LMS system.

Your charge of spamming, etc. is just ridiculous.

As far as using the line in with Dot as a temporary integration, it's far from ideal.

Quite understandable, but it would be a useful preview for a small investment to quell the anxiety that people seem to have for laying their hands on the Sonos release; and it is cheaper than buying another Echo.

It would also give users an insight into how the integration is a lot more complex than just having the existing Amazon voice application connect to a Sonos speaker without a wire or a line in jack.

The more I read about these complexities, the more I realise that voice will be a huge learning curve and it is best to wait till it matures before bringing audible chaos in the home audio system command and control environment.
Ok castalla, we get it. You like Squeezebox. May I remind you of this forum's TOS? Spam is not permitted, and I dare say if Squeezebox was actually a viable commercial product, instead of a failed one kept alive by geeks in their basement, your posts shilling for them would be deleted by now. Let's move this thread back on topic, not to mention back within the TOS of this forum, shall we?
Userlevel 6
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Using Alexa with squeezebox system devices is already an (alpha) reality - it works well,

But it isn't the holy grail of device control that many seem to hope/believe it will be.

It works fine for distributed devices not in the 'listening' area of an echo/dot where the echo can easily 'respond' to any music lyrics it picks up*. It can become tiresome to have to repeat 'Alexa, ask SB to do whatever' for every action, eg. select a device, set volume, choose a stream, play, etc.

Fun, definitely. Useful, yes with reservations

* I'm definitely interested in how Sonos handle the ambient 'noise factor!
Well, generally speaking, I agree, and I'm not throwing any hissy fit, since Sonos said 2017, and we're not even half way through that time period.

Sometimes I connect a Dot to my Play;5, although more frequently it's connected to a laptop, so I can listen to TuneIn premium content.

As for Apple's offering, there's just not enough information available for my tastes yet. Which I understand, but until I can get a few questions answered, I'm not jumping on that bandwagon as a replacement for Sonos. And, even if I had those answers, it's a slim bet that I'd be getting rid of my Sonos equipment. It works perfectly now, even without voice commands, so while I like the icing that voice will bring, it doesn't change the content of the cake.
I see your point; but it should do all else that Echo/Dot can do today? And even so there is little point in throwing a hissy fit over the time Sonos is taking and jumping over to the Echo?

Has Apple said this can be done via their offering when it will be available which should be well after the Sonos release?
Why don't those with a burning hurry for voice and a Sonos unit with a line in jack start the ball rolling with a Dot wired to the line in? Will that not do all that the integration will do wirelessly? All you have to junk later is the wire because the Dot will still be needed and used?

No, since I can't use the dot to control playback of my personal music. It might work for streaming sources, though.
I'm really exited about this feature since I bought my sonos speakers just to use them with alexa
I'd agree that Sonos really isn't that behind on voice integration. The could have integrated sooner, but there is no reason to forsee it would be this big. If it was the obvious, google and apple wouldn't have gotten there late.

And I am also glad that Sonos didn't try and do it all themselves. That would have surely failed.

As far as using the line in with Dot as a temporary integration, it's far from ideal. I have a spare connect I tested that out with in my living room. This is also the room I have the tv and playbar setup. So in order for me to use this, I have to group the CONNECT zone with the PLAYBAR zone to hear it. If the tv is on (with audio), then I can't use my Dot because it the current source on the PLAYBAR. So I essentially would need to plug and unplug the dot /connect whenever I switch between tv and music. I suppose I could do the setup in my bedroom where there is no tv watching, but that's about 70% useful since I'm mostly out in the living room. As well, I run into problems when I group the bedrooms with other rooms...dot is rendered useless again.
Why don't those with a burning hurry for voice and a Sonos unit with a line in jack start the ball rolling with a Dot wired to the line in? Will that not do all that the integration will do wirelessly? All you have to junk later is the wire because the Dot will still be needed and used?
Userlevel 5
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Of course they are working on both, they have said that and whilst Sonos may be a bit reticent with their sharing of timescales I don't think they can be accused of lying, they don't have a history of that. What they have admitted is that they were caught napping on the whole Voice control thing. The new CEO admitted that and also committed to catching up, which is what I assume they are doing now. I don't see any other choice yet in the market other than Amazon and Googles own speakers.

I'll sound like an apologist here, but I'm not faulting Sonos too much for lacking foresight on the voice control front. Let's be realistic here, basically everybody missed the boat, and when the Echo surprised Amazon/everybody with the scale of its success that all changed. The world's largest company got caught flat footed after all.

On the second part, you are correct. It's insane for anyone the size of Sonos to try and compete in this space now. Amazon, Google, and Apple are in their wheelhouse with a headstart. The only thing that would send me into a tizzy is if Sonos actually tried to compete instead of integrating, which I've heard nothing of the sort from them.


I am frustrated, i would love to see Alexa working with Sonos, i have enough of both companies kit to have voice control all over the house. But criticism over lack of firm dates is harsh as that is standard in Software engineering, especially when new technology is involved. Better that than dates announced which then move every few months.
Agreed. Every day I open the Sonos app I wish I could've just spoken to my Echo, but it is what it is. Personally, I'd just as soon have a limited functionality release with more to come later, but there are a lot of customers who can't deal with that sort of iteration. They want it all, and they want it now. You're better off making them wait so they end up happy in the end.
Userlevel 7
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Having a bad day Steve? What with this and your Audible rant ;)

Of course they are working on both, they have said that and whilst Sonos may be a bit reticent with their sharing of timescales I don't think they can be accused of lying, they don't have a history of that. What they have admitted is that they were caught napping on the whole Voice control thing. The new CEO admitted that and also committed to catching up, which is what I assume they are doing now. I don't see any other choice yet in the market other than Amazon and Googles own speakers. As for Audible I suspect this is tied in with the Alexa project, it would make sense as both are Amazon companies, but of course it means audible is held up.

I am frustrated, i would love to see Alexa working with Sonos, i have enough of both companies kit to have voice control all over the house. But criticism over lack of firm dates is harsh as that is standard in Software engineering, especially when new technology is involved. Better that than dates announced which then move every few months.
Userlevel 4
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I suggested Sonos team up with Alexa the day they came out. It's been a few years since then and it still hasn't happened and I don't think it will. They can tease us with nebulous timelines and vague promises but I'm not going to pay attention to any of that.

Either do it or don't do it.
I would suspect that Sonos hasn't been sucking their thumbs since the announcement. I imagine it's a fairly complex issue, and we'll see the results of it as soon as they're able to bring it to us.
Userlevel 2
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With the introduction of the HomePod from Apple, it would seem pertinent for Sonos to get on with this.
Even if Amazon, Echo or others wanted to get into the premium speaker market (which there is no evidence they do) and compete with Sonos, it doesn't make sense for Sonos to develop their own voice control system. Is that going to make a customer chose a Sonos speaker(s) over the hypothetical Amazon speaker? I wouldn't think so, as people will want all the extra features that Echo provides with Voice control. It would be nuts for Sonos to try and compete with that.

Nah, partnering with Amazon (and probably the rest eventually) makes much more sense. As others have pointed out, they already seem to be in the lead regarding that.