What up with Google Assistant!

I dunno. As I've said before, I'd have been perfectly happy had Sonos simply added Chromecast, so that a phone, tablet, or any of Google's range of devices, especially the Home Hub, could handle the GA. It would have been simple and done ages ago.

The display on the Hub adds immeasurably to the experience, especially on third-party playlists where you can see at a glance what's playing, without the need to interrupt the song by asking. Since any of Google's assistant devices can play by default to a Chromecast device, it's seamless. I honestly spend more time these days casting from the Hub to high quality systems than I use Sonos. And that's a shame.

I dunno. As I've said before, I'd have been perfectly happy had Sonos simply added Chromecast, so that a phone, tablet, or any of Google's range of devices, especially the Home Hub, could handle the GA. It would have been simple and done ages ago.

The display on the Hub adds immeasurably to the experience, especially on third-party playlists where you can see at a glance what's playing, without the need to interrupt the song by asking. Since any of Google's assistant devices can play by default to a Chromecast device, it's seamless. I honestly spend more time these days casting from the Hub to high quality systems than I use Sonos. And that's a shame.

You could say the same thing about Alexa integration, If Sonos had just added a line-in across their product line and offered bundles that include an Echo Dot the integration would have been done months earlier and would have supported all of the calling features, multiple wake words, and other features that the integration still does not have today. If you use a Spot instead of a Dot you can even have lyrics displayed as your music plays. I know there is a grand plan that supposedly will make the longer road worthwhile but by the time it is delivered will it still be relevant? Or will the voice assistant landscape have shifted so much that the original vision no longer makes sense?

I know there is a grand plan that supposedly will make the longer road worthwhile but by the time it is delivered will it still be relevant? Or will the voice assistant landscape have shifted so much that the original vision no longer makes sense?

Exactly. Sonos will always be playing catch-up in this game. The big AI guys can and will evolve their strategies. Sonos doesn't have the resources they have. Chromecast, Airplay 2, Alexa Cast and Spotify Connect support (all are currently supported except Chromecast) would allow support of virtually all streaming providers from a phone/tablet, Dot, Spot, Show, Home Hub, etc. Chromecast is the only missing piece right now.

Exactly. Sonos will always be playing catch-up in this game. The big AI guys can and will evolve their strategies. Sonos doesn't have the resources they have. Chromecast, Airplay 2, Alexa Cast and Spotify Connect support (all are currently supported except Chromecast) would allow support of virtually all streaming providers from a phone/tablet, Dot, Spot, Show, Home Hub, etc. Chromecast is the only missing piece right now.

I don't disagree with this from a functionality standpoint, adding in Alexa/GA support in terms of using a non-Sonos VA to command Sonos. I don't think having an aux input is really the equivalent though, as it limits functionality and essentially reduces Sonos to dumb active speakers. Having on-board mics on the Sonos One and Beam may be more trouble than their worth, as they'll always be behind as you pointed out.

However, putting mics helped get the whole system relevant in a way. It's easier to sell someone on an all-in-one device than it is to explain how your system works with Amazon (and eventually Google). People can see it and understand.

I do like having the all-in-one devices, and don't personally miss any features from echos...right now. If a new feature comes up that I think I can definitely use, then, I'll turn off the Sonos mics and throw an echo dot in the room.

Says Sonos:

This quarter we would like to highlight the much-anticipated launch of the Google Assistant on Sonos. We've been working on this for quite a while and are thrilled to be rolling it out next week. Through a software upgrade, Sonos One and Beam will support the Google Assistant in the U.S., with more markets to come over the next few months. This feature will truly elevate the customer experience and marks the first time that consumers will be able to buy a single smart speaker and get to choose which voice assistant they want to use. We think giving consumers choice is always the right decision, and we anticipate this philosophy will be adopted in the industry over time.

https://www.androidcentral.com/google-assistant-finally-headed-sonos-one-and-sonos-beam

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...

In the mean time you can lean back and enjoy the sound of one of the best sounding compact speakers on the market. Because sound is what this is all about, right ? And whats wrong with the software ? From time to time people complain, but honestly, I don't hear much complaints about the Sonos app.

I would never buy such an expensive speaker just because it supports (or doesn't) Google Assistant or Alexa. I trust Sonos they will keep delivering one of the best/most reliable wifi speaker systems on the market, but I wouldn't put my bets on Google. They have a history of starting and stopping products when it suits them.

Except for i did buy them for GA support. 9 of them to be exact.

I had bought google homes for every room in the house when sonos announced GA support woupd be coming 2 weeks later. Still within my return period i returned the google homes and bought sonos ones instead. Now nearly 2 years later i sit here with a system that sounds good but doesnt do what i bought it to do. The waiting is getting tiresome.. And if infact the project geys scraped then the quewtion becomes will sonos issue refunds or will a class action be required? Im out about 5 thousand.

Just going to drop this here....

https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/9/18563413/sonos-google-assistant-smart-speakers-coming-next-week


Looks like Ha1337's "reliable source" isn't so reliable.

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.

I'm curious if you've reached out to your reliable source to ask him/her for a reaction to today's news. I'd be fascinated to hear what reaction they have.

I'm curious if you've reached out to your reliable source to ask him/her for a reaction to today's news. I'd be fascinated to hear what reaction they have.

Seriously.

My guess is we wont hear back from them.

Through a software upgrade, Sonos One and Beam will support the Google Assistant in the U.S.

Now how the heck am I gonna get this working in Canada?

This is moderately frustrating. I really hope it's available there by default, if not, might have to look into spoofing location or something 😠