When will there be support for Apple HomeKit ?

Apple HomePod will compete directly with Amazon Echo and Google Home. I DO think Sonos needs to get on board with voice control and home automation, but I don't think Sonos will be in much danger until Apple, Amazon, or Google comes out with comparable "connect and connect:amp" devices.

I worry about SONOS. I wonder why Apple haven't bought them.

They even showed a SONOS Play:3 today on stage to talk about dumb speakers! I didn't like the jab!

Apple HomePod will compete directly with Amazon Echo and Google Home. I DO think Sonos needs to get on board with voice control and home automation, but I don't think Sonos will be in much danger until Apple, Amazon, or Google comes out with comparable "connect and connect:amp" devices.

At $349 and no screen the HomePod does NOT compete with the Echo Show which does have a screen for $229, the Echo at $179, or the Dot at $39. The HomePod's high price, strong bass, and multi-room playback (via AirPlay2) is more aligned to what Sonos does than what Echo or Google Home do. Also it can't compete with anything until it actually ships and that is still a long way off.

The Dot does replicate the main function of the Connect by playing through an amp or receiver.

If I understand HomeKit correctly (and I might not) it requires devices to have some Apple proprietary hardware added to achieve certification. I don't see Sonos going that route any time soon, at least not until HomeKit grows to be a significant portion of the Connected Home market.

The required hardware can be added in the form of something similar to the Boost in a new Hardware revision to include the chip necessary for HomeKit.

Here is Belkin doing a 180 on their previous refusal to support HomeKit by announcing the WEMO bridge:
http://appleinsider.com/articles/17/05/25/wemo-bridge-will-add-homekit-compatibility-to-belkins-home-automation-platform-in-the-fall

Here is an interesting read to understand how iOS handle security:
https://www.apple.com/business/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf

And here is one supplier of components used in accessories by OEMs ti implement HomeKit Accessory Profile (HAP) using Bluetooth LE: https://www.dialog-semiconductor.com/sites/default/files/da14681_homekit_product_brief.pdf


I am sure this has been the topic of internal discussions at SONOS and I'd like them to implement interoperability with iOS.
But that would affect habits and people would start using the SONOS app less. That means giving up control and weakening the hardware & software bond SONOS is known for.

What would you do if you ran SONOS: miss the boat again or give in?

What a diss right? When I saw the image of the speakers I have in my home, I went pale. Something needs to be done!

Sonos needs to figure out how to support both homekit and the Android echosystem equivalent. This is win-win, Sonos differentiates with their experience, quality and supporting all competing standards, something that Apple devices will not do. Doing that without requiring existing customers to have to replace all our hardware with new one would be very much appreciated.

My recent interactions with their phone-base customer support and the way the managers run their floor and apparently approve every message that goes out turned me off big time.

Also, I cannot get them to reward my loyalty (BETA tester, 2 homes, 9 speakers, 2 SoundBar, 2 Sub).
Having a similar conversation with Apple led me to my local Apple Store Leader giving me a call and taking care of me. Ditto with Customer Relations.

I decided I'd be very detached and I will make a cold blooded decision to ditch SONOS if need be.

The marketplace always works things out if you step back and look.

As someone with a few thousands invested in Sonos, this is a little worrying. I appreciate that techies haven't properly got their paws on the homepod yet, and the test was maybe a little unbalanced, but, so far, from what they've heard, all are saying blows the 3 out of the water on sound.

Thank God I've got mostly 5's! Seriously though, troubling news.

Blows away the Play:3, Sonos' oldest speaker model and generally considered their least value for the money sound-wise? Way to shoot high, Apple. 😃

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I think in light of this announcement it would be wise for sonos to implement HomeKit, if it does not want to loose customers like me.

Hmmm... Are you the one who placed a million dollar order for Sonos(es) last week?

I overheard a person in an apple shop looking at the Apple watch saying... This one does not work with Android? They've just lost a customer like me. ?