Searched and nothing on Apple Homepod yet so I'll start this inevitable discussion.
I see the Homepod announcement as an opportunity for Sonos rather than an end. Now that they know what the Apple play in this area is, Sonos has little choice but to move more aggressively in a direction that may be better for most of it's present and future customers. That direction, in my opinion, is one of greater openness, increased integration with Google Home, Amazon Echo and other "smart home" technologies and an overall increased pace of innovation.
As someone who is quite heavily invested in Sonos, I look forward to watching this play out.
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melvimbe,
I think the airplay difference is that you can take any audio from the environment and send it out. It's a system level redirect, rather than an app level redirect.
Which is why I think there's potential legal issues that many streaming companies may need to look at vis a vis their potential broadcast/streaming rights. Which I think is a shame, too. I've been involved in a lot of legal discussions about music rights, and never enjoyed them.
But who knows, I could be wrong, too 🙂
I think the airplay difference is that you can take any audio from the environment and send it out. It's a system level redirect, rather than an app level redirect.
Which is why I think there's potential legal issues that many streaming companies may need to look at vis a vis their potential broadcast/streaming rights. Which I think is a shame, too. I've been involved in a lot of legal discussions about music rights, and never enjoyed them.
But who knows, I could be wrong, too 🙂
Flysandy, I complete get the love for Apple and the desire for a completely integrated system...with Apple heavily involved. I'm just somewhat perplexed with people's desires to sell their sonos gear in favor of Apple...because of voice control. The echo dot is $50, while the homepod is $350. If your using the Sonos speakers, then the difference in speaker quality is irrelevant. $300 is a big difference to justify just because you like Apple, particularly when the Amazon product is proven, while the homepod is not. Not that you can't trust Apple to do this well enough.
Is airplay the difference? I understand what airplay is, but perhaps I can't really understand the benefit till using it. I can accept that as I've experienced that with other product/features. At the same time though, the same could be said for those who are convinced that homepod is going to be so much better than Echo (specifically a Dot). If you are so sure you're going to get a homepod, why not experiment and get a Dot as well?
Is airplay the difference? I understand what airplay is, but perhaps I can't really understand the benefit till using it. I can accept that as I've experienced that with other product/features. At the same time though, the same could be said for those who are convinced that homepod is going to be so much better than Echo (specifically a Dot). If you are so sure you're going to get a homepod, why not experiment and get a Dot as well?
Even though Alexa integration is not available, I invest on Sonos 5.1, and looking forward to it's release. And I agree this is an opportunity for Sonos...... time is crucial ........
Hoping for Homekit integration. We are fairly invested in Sonos...play bar, sub, threes for surround (living Room), a play 5, and a couple of play 1's. We planned on another 5 and a couple more 1's (that's on hold). We are also a big Apple user and other than Sonos we don't have smart home components that are not HomeKit compatible.(no Alexa for us)
I imagine other Apple/Sonos fans are in the same boat. We're waiting too see how this plays out, but if Sonos doesn't move toward being HomeKit compatible we'll eventually shift toward a more completely integrated system. I figure there is a little time to figure this out. Apple didn't introduce a good 5:1 solution or some missing speaker gap (outdoor speakers), if Sonos responds with a HomeKit in the next year...I'll buy more. I'll likely buy 1 home pod in Dec if Sonos doesn't have a plan by then our Play 1's maybe our play 5 will be on notice.
I imagine other Apple/Sonos fans are in the same boat. We're waiting too see how this plays out, but if Sonos doesn't move toward being HomeKit compatible we'll eventually shift toward a more completely integrated system. I figure there is a little time to figure this out. Apple didn't introduce a good 5:1 solution or some missing speaker gap (outdoor speakers), if Sonos responds with a HomeKit in the next year...I'll buy more. I'll likely buy 1 home pod in Dec if Sonos doesn't have a plan by then our Play 1's maybe our play 5 will be on notice.
Userlevel 1
I am sure you are aware of Apple's history and then that are usually hesitant in working with others companies, in favor of a closed system. Sonos is more the opposite in that their history shows that will work with any company, as a music source, that they reasonable can. Given that, if Sonos doesn't work with the Apple ecosystem, it is more likely because Apple doesn't want it to, not the other way around.
This concern mainly arises from the WWDC announcement regarding companies that will support AirPlay 2. (https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/5/15727002/apple-homekit-airplay-2-speakers-update-announced-wwdc-2017). There were about 10-15 companies, including many of the major speaker manufacturers.
Sonos could perhaps sign up to produce AirPlay 2 compatible speakers in the near future. But that does not seem likely as Sonos still has not implemented AirPlay even though they have had plenty of chances to do so.
This actually feels similar to what Toyota is doing with CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota refuses to implement CarPlay/Android Auto because it does not want to cede its control over auto infotainment system. Perhaps Sonos has a different reason for not implementing AirPlay/2 since it already allows Spotify app to directly control Sonos speakers. (AirPlay licensing fees?)
I have no problem if Sonos keeps the current system as long as it adds AirPlay 2 (and HomeKit) to the system as additional feature. But if Sonos refuses to add those features, then I do not see any reasons to invest in Sonos ecosystem any further as it would limit the full potential of the system. (due to not having full-integration)
If Sonos is not interested in full-integration with Apple ecosystem including HomeKit, I will have to leave Sonos and find other products that will.
I am sure you are aware of Apple's history and then that are usually hesitant in working with others companies, in favor of a closed system. Sonos is more the opposite in that their history shows that will work with any company, as a music source, that they reasonable can. Given that, if Sonos doesn't work with the Apple ecosystem, it is more likely because Apple doesn't want it to, not the other way around.
It is a lot easier to find good speaker solutions than to find a good home automation control system, and it just does not make sense to invest in a speaker solution that has half-baked integration support for Apple ecosystem.
It's not hard at all to find a good home automation control system. Not sure why you would say that. I would agree though, since you are sold on the Apple ecosystem, it doesn't make sense for you to invest in Sonos.
I imagine many other Apple users who have just started getting into Sonos (or have plans to invest in Sonos) feel the same way.
Yes, they probably will. I don't know that Sonos can do anything about that. At the same time though, there may be many Apple users who have never paid attention to Sonos at all, but will start looking into multiroom audio and home automation because Apple convinced them it was something the needed. Apple has a history of creating/growing markets whenever they decide to enter it, which can also create a lot of business for their competitors. I don't know if that's true in this case, but it absolutely could be.
Just be aware that a lot of Sonos users and potential Sonos users are NOT invested in the Apple ecosystem and in fact do not like Apple products and software. Sonos needs to be careful before committing limited ROM resources to firmaware that supports Apple features at the expense of limiting or eliminating other features that are used by the entire Sonos community.
An Apple user can still benefit from the Amazon Echo integration simply by buying a $39 Echo Dot. I don't see where somebody who does not use Apple products can benefit to the same degree from a HomeKit integration.
An Apple user can still benefit from the Amazon Echo integration simply by buying a $39 Echo Dot. I don't see where somebody who does not use Apple products can benefit to the same degree from a HomeKit integration.
Userlevel 1
I, like many of other Apple users, have incorporated Apple ecosystem including HomeKit into my life. It is clear that home automation is still at infancy and will require even smarter control software. But now that Apple has declared its interest in entering the home automation competition (against Google/Amazon/others) I will be sticking with Apple-led solutions from now on.
I started investing in Sonos products only a year ago (3 x Play:1 so far). I did plan on getting a couple more Sonos products (Play:3 or 5, and Playbar), but I will hold off on those purchases until I figure out where Sonos is heading. If Sonos is not interested in full-integration with Apple ecosystem including HomeKit, I will have to leave Sonos and find other products that will. It is a lot easier to find good speaker solutions than to find a good home automation control system, and it just does not make sense to invest in a speaker solution that has half-baked integration support for Apple ecosystem.
I imagine many other Apple users who have just started getting into Sonos (or have plans to invest in Sonos) feel the same way.
I started investing in Sonos products only a year ago (3 x Play:1 so far). I did plan on getting a couple more Sonos products (Play:3 or 5, and Playbar), but I will hold off on those purchases until I figure out where Sonos is heading. If Sonos is not interested in full-integration with Apple ecosystem including HomeKit, I will have to leave Sonos and find other products that will. It is a lot easier to find good speaker solutions than to find a good home automation control system, and it just does not make sense to invest in a speaker solution that has half-baked integration support for Apple ecosystem.
I imagine many other Apple users who have just started getting into Sonos (or have plans to invest in Sonos) feel the same way.
Userlevel 2
To sum it up. HomePod is not the right choice for home owners. It might be the right one for one room but it can't 'rock the house' as promised. I have no idea what Apple engineers thought about developing a single speaker without LAN and Fiber interfaces. I am operating about 10 zones in my home and I am loving the superbe TV integration and the full clear sound. How should I make a Home Theater installation with Apples HomePod without connecting it to the TV? How can I connect the speakers to my home ethernet in order to create a reliable and stable music network without destroying my WiFi bandwidth? How can I add some bass power in larger rooms (don't tell me this is not necessary)?
Dear Sonos developers. Please be open to AirPlay and AirPlay 2. Please try to integrate the beloved Apple ecosystem as good as possible. We want to use your excellent sound devices together with the beautiful Apple software like Siri and HomeKit.
Dear Sonos developers. Please be open to AirPlay and AirPlay 2. Please try to integrate the beloved Apple ecosystem as good as possible. We want to use your excellent sound devices together with the beautiful Apple software like Siri and HomeKit.
I too have a heavy investment in Sonos, so I hope provides an opportunity to add other great features to what I consider the best wireless speaker on the market.
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