Been waiting for Google Assistant for over a year. Bought my Sonos system because of the promise from Sonos that Google Assistsnt would be available in late 2018. Very disappointed.
Moderator Note: Google Assistant is now available for use on Sonos. Read more here.
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What’s clear from all this is that Google is responsible for the delays, as it has been evolving its APIs and SDKs. The idea that Google wants to “lock out” Sonos, though, seems counter to their massive expansion to new devices. I think we’ll see GA control of Sonos soon, perhaps even using Local Home.
https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/07/google-launches-new-developer-tools-for-the-google-assistant/
https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/07/google-launches-new-developer-tools-for-the-google-assistant/
A couple problems with this rumor
- Google (not Sonos) stated that the integration was happening back in January. While that could change, you would think this change would have been thought out enough to not make the announcement if it was not a sure thing.
- The public beta is currently ongoing, at least according to the most recent reports. Why would beta continue if the project was being dropped? Although folks are not supossed to talk about beta, I think you there would definitely be news about it if it happened.
- Remember, part of the deal with the integration is that Sonos agreed not to sue Google for theft of intellectual property if they agreed to integrate with Sonos. If the integration is off, that means a lawsuit would be back on. Given the deep pockets of Google and the volume of google assistance in the wild, that's a lot of money.
- On the surface anyway, it seems like a very bad strategy. There are certainly advantages to having a closed system, but it's proven to fail in the long run when competitors catch up. Google doesn't have that big of an advantage where customers will shun all others in dedication to google. It's worked for Apple for a time, but not so much anymore.
- The 'works with Nest' policy appears to be more of a merging Nest with Google type a move more than a closing the system type of move. Google also isn't doing this till August, which makes me think they are trying to get an idea of public reaction to the move before they do anything. If they did the same sort of thing with Sonos, there would be no chance to gauge public reaction.
- Google (not Sonos) stated that the integration was happening back in January. While that could change, you would think this change would have been thought out enough to not make the announcement if it was not a sure thing.
- The public beta is currently ongoing, at least according to the most recent reports. Why would beta continue if the project was being dropped? Although folks are not supossed to talk about beta, I think you there would definitely be news about it if it happened.
- Remember, part of the deal with the integration is that Sonos agreed not to sue Google for theft of intellectual property if they agreed to integrate with Sonos. If the integration is off, that means a lawsuit would be back on. Given the deep pockets of Google and the volume of google assistance in the wild, that's a lot of money.
- On the surface anyway, it seems like a very bad strategy. There are certainly advantages to having a closed system, but it's proven to fail in the long run when competitors catch up. Google doesn't have that big of an advantage where customers will shun all others in dedication to google. It's worked for Apple for a time, but not so much anymore.
- The 'works with Nest' policy appears to be more of a merging Nest with Google type a move more than a closing the system type of move. Google also isn't doing this till August, which makes me think they are trying to get an idea of public reaction to the move before they do anything. If they did the same sort of thing with Sonos, there would be no chance to gauge public reaction.
As a person who has invested heavily in Sonos and the Google echo-system I suspect, but hope I'm wrong, that come the end of the year there will be no announcement from Sonos about GA integration with a blog dated 1st November 2018 there gathering dust. I believe, opinion only, that Google will go there own way and cut Sonos out.
Google are slowly but surely expanding their product line espically those that dovetail with music listening. Hope I'm wrong but if I were Sonos I would be worried.
Google are slowly but surely expanding their product line espically those that dovetail with music listening. Hope I'm wrong but if I were Sonos I would be worried.
https://www.cnet.com/news/google-assistant-quietly-gets-native-controls-for-a-bunch-of-new-devices/
Exactly. They want to control everything in the home by locking down the API that currently allows 3rd parties to control their stuff. By ending the "Works with Nest" program and associated API they prevent things like IFTTT from working with their products, As I understand it the replacement "Works wirh Google" API will not allow any third party be the master or central control for Google Nest products but will only allow control requests sent through a Google Nest Home Hub. The requirements are also going to be different for developers to get into the "Works with Google" program which is going to be intentionally limited to a small number of approved partners "to ensure better security". There is already speculation that the Amazon Echo is unlikely to get that approval (or will be unable to accept the restrictive requirements that will be imposed) and therefore may not be able to control Nest thermostats and cameras after August. Since Nest and Home Assistant are now part of the same Google Nest division it is unclear if these changes could extend to things like Google Home enabled speakers or if any of the new API restrictions impact the integration between Sonos and Google Nest voice assistants. It is just interesting that all of these things seem to align with the statement posted earlier from the "reliable source".
Google is ADDING dozens of new devices to GA. They're doing just the opposite of "locking down". They want GA to control everything in the home.
https://www.cnet.com/news/google-assistant-quietly-gets-native-controls-for-a-bunch-of-new-devices/
https://www.cnet.com/news/google-assistant-quietly-gets-native-controls-for-a-bunch-of-new-devices/
The number of 3rd party speakers that integrate with GA is tiny compared to the number of products that integrate with Nest thermostats and yet Google is disabling that API on August 31st as part of their new product strategy. Also new GA products will come under the Nest brand going forward so it is not that far fetched to think the Sonos integration might also fall victim to this new reorganization. It will be interesting to see just how far Google will go with locking everything down.
but i know from a reliable source who was at Google I/O, that Google are blocking the release of assistant on sonos as it doesn't fit with their smart home strategy. details i don't know. but sonos are leaning on google hard to change their mind. it's otherwise ready for release.
the opinion from the insider was that it's just not going to happen anymore.
LOL. "reliable source"
If that was the case, blogosphere would be going nuts over it.
Indeed. There are already plenty of 3rd party speakers that sport GA. Sonos may be asking Google to add features that Google is slow rolling, but this "reliable source" is BS.
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/1612-best-google-home-smart-speakers.html
but i know from a reliable source who was at Google I/O, that Google are blocking the release of assistant on sonos as it doesn't fit with their smart home strategy. details i don't know. but sonos are leaning on google hard to change their mind. it's otherwise ready for release.
the opinion from the insider was that it's just not going to happen anymore.
LOL. "reliable source"
If that was the case, blogosphere would be going nuts over it.
Distressing, if true. But I have to imagine that there had to be some sort of legal agreement signed by both parties before Sonos would announce the plan, as they did. Seems like it would be expensive for Google to back out at this point, although not impossible.
Userlevel 1
i know people are not going to be happy with what i'm going to say, and this is third hand news, so dismiss it if you will.
but i know from a reliable source who was at Google I/O, that Google are blocking the release of assistant on sonos as it doesn't fit with their smart home strategy. details i don't know. but sonos are leaning on google hard to change their mind. it's otherwise ready for release.
the opinion from the insider was that it's just not going to happen anymore.
but i know from a reliable source who was at Google I/O, that Google are blocking the release of assistant on sonos as it doesn't fit with their smart home strategy. details i don't know. but sonos are leaning on google hard to change their mind. it's otherwise ready for release.
the opinion from the insider was that it's just not going to happen anymore.
I imagine there is a small licensing fee Google might be getting for each piece of hardware sold that using Google tech in some way, not to mention that users will be much more likely to pay for google services and buying other google hardware once they are in the eco-system.
I doubt they make much on their hardware. Their big moneymaker is data about you, so that they can sell targeted ads to you. The Sonos owner demographic is surely one that they covet.
One has to wonder if that's one of the reasons that Google is dragging their feet on this implementation. They certainly make more money selling their own hardware, and no money when Sonos sells a speaker.
The event is still ongoing. However I looked at the Google store today, the Google Home Max speaker has been reduced to £299. This is a permanent price cut. This product competes with Play 5 at a cheaper price. Other products also get permanent price reduction. Looking like major competition for Sonos in smart speaker area.
Google IO19 is over. No Google Assistant on Sonos yet and still no word from Sonos. I already never every recommend this speaker to anyone because of Sonos' lies and silence. But I still have 4 Sonos One's and I really hope Google Assistant comes one day. I still think it's because the HW is too poor and they're SW is really crappy. They can't make this happen I think. That's why they released a new Sonos One with better HW and more memory...
Guys, google is hands down better than Alexa. We’ve got to keep up the pressure and make sure this integration takes place. Get pissed, voice concerns but stay on sonos. I personally love sonos but refuse to install an echo dot or Alexa. They just suck. Google is the more intuitive solutio.
The above conversation seems more around misunderstood statements than an actual disagreement of facts. It's almost assured that the Google integration will allow you to speak to a google home product (mini, home, max, hub, etc) to request music to play anywhere on your Sonos system. You don't have to have a Sonos One or Sonos Beam for this to work. Exactly the way it works with Alexa integration.
+7
Hey, you don't need Sonos One to use Google Assistant. We all just want google assistant integration. Obviously you don't own a google home or mini or you would understand how they work
Please enlighten me as to how you could safely draw this conclusion. You don't have a clue what any of us own.
For your information, I'm thousands of dollars invested in Google/Nest, so I'm well aware of how a Home, Mini, and Hub all work. You came on here asking about GA integration with Sonos, and your question(s) have been asked and answered. You just don't like the answer(s), so you resort to false accusations?
Sonos will release the official announcement when they're ready. If that much isn't satisfying to you, that's entirely acceptable. But conducting yourself in the manner you've done here is neither welcome or productive.
Userlevel 1
The speakers don't need to be smart, that's the whole point! We just need integration. Once a device of any sort is connected to an IP, it can be integrated into the google sphere...
Userlevel 1
Hey, you don't need Sonos One to use Google Assistant. We all just want google assistant integration. Obviously you don't own a google home or mini or you would understand how they work
Userlevel 2
Personally I don't care whether my speakers listen to me for GA. I want to pair them up and say 'Google play Bessie Smith on the living room speakers'. I can tell the Google assistant on my Pixel phone to play Bessie Smith. I can tell Google assistant to turn on the bedroom lights from Phillips Hue. I'd buy a bridge device like the HUE just to link it. I know you all love the decentralized aspect of it all but a smart bridge would bring it all together.
I have a google Hub... I'm just looking for it to interface with the Play:1 to see it as a source to cast to.
I'm seriously thinking of selling my 3 Play:1 speakers and buying something else. It's pretty ridiculous that this integration isn't already here. I paid $250 for these things and can't even use them like I want to. I can sell one of them and probably buy two more speakers with that money that actually work with Google already. As noted by spydrwebb, your Play:1 speakers will never have Google Assistant. They don't even have microphones built in
+7
Play:1 speakers wouldn't natively work with GA. Do you own a Sonos product with voice assistant capability?
GA testing has been fiercely underway for awhile now, and I assure you Sonos isn't giving up on its launch. Too many people would crucify them on this issue alone, so rest assured it's forthcoming.
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