Sonos will launch Google Assistant on its smart speakers next week

It's most certainly not just the One and Beam. As the CEO was quoted above, any Google Home device will be able to control Sonos speakers. Just like any Echo device allows you to control any Sonos speaker ever made via Alexa.

I hope you're right. This is the first time I find myself being a little bit skeptical of Sonos. I've been a loyal fan pretty much since the beginning (remember seeing your name in the forums WAY back so I know you've been around forever too). But the delayed implementation of Google Assistant has been a bit of a black eye for them.

Admittedly, I'm probably more sensitive to it than some as I'm a staunch Google Assistant supporter and refuse to use Alexa (I've tried it - not a fan).

When they announced the Gen 2 ( https://en.community.sonos.com/announcements-228985/sonos-one-gen-2-now-available-6821472 ) it stated that:

You can stereo pair a Gen 2 with Gen 1, or use them together with a Sonos home theater setup as surrounds. There aren't any functionality changes between the two, and Google Assistant will be coming to both of them when we're ready to go. (Bold text by me, not the original)

Right, but the issue is which devices you can talk to. The Beam, sure, and, I am surmising, the One Gen 2. I don't think the One Gen 1 is going to work. We'll find out at some point. Obviously all models can be controlled with voice, that doesn't need any more hardware (or software) support than Alexa-remote-control needed, but its the mic-listening devices that are hardware challenged, as they have to run three very separate software stacks: Sonos Classic, Alexa, and Google. We have seen that a lot more memory (4x) is required for this compared to the non-mic-equipped devices.

I'll bet you a One Gen 2 that it will work with the Gen 1. Deal?

Right, but the issue is which devices you can talk to. The Beam, sure, and, I am surmising, the One Gen 2. I don't think the One Gen 1 is going to work. We'll find out at some point. Obviously all models can be controlled with voice, that doesn't need any more hardware (or software) support than Alexa-remote-control needed, but its the mic-listening devices that are hardware challenged, as they have to run three very separate software stacks: Sonos Classic, Alexa, and Google. We have seen that a lot more memory (4x) is required for this compared to the non-mic-equipped devices.
These are not completely separate stacks as Alexa and Google surely have a lot of common code (and there is also airplay). Besides, there is nothing that says a single speaker needs to support Alexa and Google at the same time, so if memory was an issue, they would setup it so a user must chose between the two options rather than disappoint legions of customers.

And the CEO did not make a distinction between Gen 1 and Gen 2, something he surely would not want to be misleading on.

And the GA beta has been running well before Gen 2 was even released.

I would guess that only Gen 2 One's will be supported. There has to be a good reason they updated the hardware recently.

Highly doubt this, or the Beam wouldn't be supported.

Given what Google have done to Nest I will stay with Alexa. I thing Google Home (or Nest Home) have changed their strategy recently for the worse.

It's a matter of perspective. Personally, as somebody deeply invested in GoogleNest, the security upgrades are welcome and encouraged. Most of the backlash coming to Nest is the fact they've limited Alexa integration, and that was something in the works for awhile. Ever since Amazon began eliminating (some) Google products from their website, the writing was on the wall for GA and Alexa to stop playing nice with their respective connected hardware.

I had applied to the GA beta but was not accepted (not sure why am in the app betas but whatevs)

am curious to see this article .... its been a long time waiting... am now waiting to buy the new Google Home Hub (larger size) because of waiting on GA in Sonos.

hope it is next week.. finally

That would make some sense to me, I'd be more inclinded to believe that the Gen 2 has more to do with production costs (perhaps using more common parts with the beam) and farther future proofing then a consequence of the GA integration.
When the Gen2 was introduced, there were some topics here about the changes. I don't recall if it was mentioned here, but in the Dutch community, a Sonos Rep literally said the changes were based on "experiences with Beam". As an example they stated that from the work on the Beam they had concluded that they could change the microphone array from 6 to 4. The Beam being the newer product, it's not difficult to imagine that it might have already had upgraded memory and processor power, and they just changed the One to be on the same spec, while cutting cost by using the same hardware the Beam has.

I'm not at all concerned that the Gen1 will be left out, as the communication by Sonos on this was quite clear. I would've expected them to be silent or vague about it if they were not sure.

Given what Google have done to Nest I will stay with Alexa. I thing Google Home (or Nest Home) have changed their strategy recently for the worse.

It's a matter of perspective. Personally, as somebody deeply invested in GoogleNest, the security upgrades are welcome and encouraged. Most of the backlash coming to Nest is the fact they've limited Alexa integration, and that was something in the works for awhile. Ever since Amazon began eliminating (some) Google products from their website, the writing was on the wall for GA and Alexa to stop playing nice with their respective connected hardware.

Agreed. The two big announcements this week (Google Assistant on Sonos and Google/Nest integration) go together perfectly. My GA Sonos will integrate tightly with all my Nest devices. The lack of 3rd party integration won't matter anymore, and actually it means a more secure system with fewer holes. It's really a win-win.

Incidentally, I think Google Nest is going to become a massive force in the smart home space. I think Alexa is going to lose this battle

I would expect all other sonos devices to join "works with google assistant" later on, ie you will be able to cast to sonos using google voice control......when is the big question...