New listing on FCC today for Sonos product 'S15'
Label is totally square so could be a new connect type device ?
Let the speculation begin !
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I haven't seen the videos; so maybe you are right. I still have a Alexa feeling about this though simply because I am not sure Sonos has the bandwidth at this time for anything else! Time will tell...
My guess would be a Alexa enabled Sonos speaker. The echo and echo dot speakers are weak. But so is could do the sound much better. Probably. Gives them more flexibility to work with Amazon to integrate control of playback on different units.
Userlevel 3
+2
Can't see this as you would need one in every room that you have a sonos system, or you would have to keep moving one from room to room...... The cost of this would not be worth doing as you can get the echo dot for £49 and fire stick for £39 with voice.... i still say it could be for a stand alone phono input sender so we can use our turntables (here's hoping anyway)
Userlevel 7
+17
Can't see this as you would need one in every room that you have a sonos system, or you would have to keep moving one from room to room...... The cost of this would not be worth doing as you can get the echo dot for £49 and fire stick for £39 with voice.... i still say it could be for a stand alone phono input sender so we can use our turntables (here's hoping anyway)
I think thats a pretty niche market - people who still own (and use) turntables who also happen to want to link it to sonos gear !
Thinking broader it could indeed be an 'input only' simplified sonos connect but I would hope it also has digital input as well as analog. Maybe USB also. This would bring it more in line with the numerous competitors who provide these inputs as standard on even their most entry level speakers !
Userlevel 3
+2
looking at this again, Sonos are looking to add mics to there play speakers if this link is any think to go by: https://www.cnet.com/news/sonos-demonstrates-amazon-alexa-control-says-other-assistants-are-coming/
Sonos' Antoine Leblond demonstrates a working version of Alexa voice control.
The company is believed to be working on speakers that incorporate a far-field microphone instead of having to rely on separate dongles such as the Alexa Dot which was used at the demonstration.
Looks like my Turntable will be staying connected to the Sonos CONNECT for now.
Sonos' Antoine Leblond demonstrates a working version of Alexa voice control.
The company is believed to be working on speakers that incorporate a far-field microphone instead of having to rely on separate dongles such as the Alexa Dot which was used at the demonstration.
Looks like my Turntable will be staying connected to the Sonos CONNECT for now.
My guess is it's a Mic that will allow Alexa control of systems with no Alexa hardware present - that can also hopefully be used for Truplay.
Pricing will be key though - it needs to be cheaper than a Dot I'd say.
Pricing will be key though - it needs to be cheaper than a Dot I'd say.
What do you mean by Alexa control with no Alexa hardware? Do you mean Amazon hardware?
It would be interesting to see if Sonos comes out with their own microphone. It may be a necessity in order to create the proper functionality and ease of use. Reading the article, it sounds like Sonos believes it's important that the voice commands not be complex like "Alexa, tell Sonos to pause", but instead simple like "Alexa, pause". If Amazon won't allowed that configuration, that Sonos has to have their own hardware. It sound minor, but it's actually a hug difference.
There is also the statement that Sonos wants to be voice service diagnostic. If they have their own mic, then that may be a lot easier. You just tell the mic what voice service to use, and away you go.
The downside to this is that you likely won't be able to get the latest voice assistant, like the Echo Show. As well, you might not be able to have your Sonos/echo in the same space as your Amazon Echo. The Amazon may hear your Sonos command not be able to act on it.
And yes, cost would be a factor. I won't be happy if I have to spend a $100 to the replace the echo dot I already have just to get it to work with Sonos correctly. I'll be even more unhappy if I have to buy a full size $200 speaker I don't need to get the integration.
In my perfect world, this is Sonos speaker with echo built in, but I can integrate my existing echos with existing Sonos speakers so I don't have to spend a penny, if I so chose. For one thing, the separation is a must for outdoor applications, I have an echo dot with attached battery that I like to take to the backyard, while the connect:amp is safe inside a closet. Being able to control the music on the dot, no where near the amp is the only way it would work.
It would be interesting to see if Sonos comes out with their own microphone. It may be a necessity in order to create the proper functionality and ease of use. Reading the article, it sounds like Sonos believes it's important that the voice commands not be complex like "Alexa, tell Sonos to pause", but instead simple like "Alexa, pause". If Amazon won't allowed that configuration, that Sonos has to have their own hardware. It sound minor, but it's actually a hug difference.
There is also the statement that Sonos wants to be voice service diagnostic. If they have their own mic, then that may be a lot easier. You just tell the mic what voice service to use, and away you go.
The downside to this is that you likely won't be able to get the latest voice assistant, like the Echo Show. As well, you might not be able to have your Sonos/echo in the same space as your Amazon Echo. The Amazon may hear your Sonos command not be able to act on it.
And yes, cost would be a factor. I won't be happy if I have to spend a $100 to the replace the echo dot I already have just to get it to work with Sonos correctly. I'll be even more unhappy if I have to buy a full size $200 speaker I don't need to get the integration.
In my perfect world, this is Sonos speaker with echo built in, but I can integrate my existing echos with existing Sonos speakers so I don't have to spend a penny, if I so chose. For one thing, the separation is a must for outdoor applications, I have an echo dot with attached battery that I like to take to the backyard, while the connect:amp is safe inside a closet. Being able to control the music on the dot, no where near the amp is the only way it would work.
Sonos has stated the Alexa integration will work with all current and previously sold Sonos and Alexa enabled devices. So if you go by that statement, your old Sonos devices will be able to be controlled by your old Alexa device. Nothing new to buy to get the integration if you currently own both Sonos and an Alexa device (Echo, Dot, Tap, Fire tablet, Fire TV).
If it were a microphone bearing device (ignoring the Amazon issue for the moment), it would be a potential "fix" to the problem of Trueplay not being available on Android, no?
Indeed you did. I missed that, sorry.
Userlevel 7
+20
I doubt it's a microphone setup. That's just competing on the wrong playing field, playing the wrong sport.
Rock solid integration with Alexa/Echo (and the other players) is the way to go, while continuing to deliver a superior audio experience.
Rock solid integration with Alexa/Echo (and the other players) is the way to go, while continuing to deliver a superior audio experience.
+20
Airplay 2 adapter 😃
+20
So.. it's the Sonos microphone but no idea what service it works with, just have to wait a little bit.
Userlevel 7
+17
How do you know that ?
+1
I posted this in another thread but my money is on a design update of the PLAY:1 that incorporates a microphone array for voice control. Amazon are up to something as well. The Amazon Echo is available at a heavily discounted price of just $100 for the next few weeks. There were rumors circulating last month via Engadget of the Echo 2 with improved construction materials and acoustics.
https://www.engadget.com/2017/07/12/amazon-echo-homepod/
Could it be a collaboration with Sonos? They have been working together for over a year.
Amazon have a roadshow running through the fall showing off all that Alexa can do in the smart home. Sonos are a tour sponsor and according to the copy on the Amazon developer site "More Alexa-enabled products, smart home devices, and Alexa skills will be added and demonstrated over the course of the tour." Here's the link for more info:
https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/8e2af64c-e4f5-4358-bb27-a16a7d82cd8a/amazon-alexa-and-intel-hit-the-road-with-the-smart-life-roadshow.
I think it's going to be an interesting few months.
https://www.engadget.com/2017/07/12/amazon-echo-homepod/
Could it be a collaboration with Sonos? They have been working together for over a year.
Amazon have a roadshow running through the fall showing off all that Alexa can do in the smart home. Sonos are a tour sponsor and according to the copy on the Amazon developer site "More Alexa-enabled products, smart home devices, and Alexa skills will be added and demonstrated over the course of the tour." Here's the link for more info:
https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/8e2af64c-e4f5-4358-bb27-a16a7d82cd8a/amazon-alexa-and-intel-hit-the-road-with-the-smart-life-roadshow.
I think it's going to be an interesting few months.
Echo needs to emanate sound 360° so that it can be heard anywhere in a room. The Play:1 is a hi-fi speaker, more directional, so that it sounds far better, and produces an excellent stereo image when paired. I hope Sonos doesn't make the voice-enabled Play:1 omnidirectional.
I see why the microphones are omnidirectional but don't understand your assertion that the speakers need to be too. I can hear my Play 1 just fine no matter where I am in the room.
I typically place my echo dots somewhere there are most likely to hear me. For example, my kitchen and living room is one open room, so I have the dot on the counter in the middle between the two. If the dot was against the far wall, it wouldn't hear me well when in the kitchen. If it was against the kitchen wall, it wouldn't hear me well in the living room. Getting 2 dots for each room wouldn't work well as the wrong dot would hear me (it matters sometimes). So in the middle is where the dot goes.
I would not want to place a PLAY:1 in the middle of my kitchen/living room.
Looking at it another way, speakers are almost always up against the walls of a room. However, you never see microphones up against a wall. They are always either held, attached closed to your face, or placed above near by to pick your voice. Voice Assistance are different as quality of the voice is a bit less important, but the concept is still in place.
So it's very difficult to get ideal speakers and ideal microphones in the same device/location. IMO anyway.
I would not want to place a PLAY:1 in the middle of my kitchen/living room.
Looking at it another way, speakers are almost always up against the walls of a room. However, you never see microphones up against a wall. They are always either held, attached closed to your face, or placed above near by to pick your voice. Voice Assistance are different as quality of the voice is a bit less important, but the concept is still in place.
So it's very difficult to get ideal speakers and ideal microphones in the same device/location. IMO anyway.
So it's very difficult to get ideal speakers and ideal microphones in the same device/location. IMO anyway.
Yep, which is why I'll be using Dots to control my Sonos speakers. Omnidirectional speakers aren't meant to sit near walls, and thus can't take advantage of the bass reinforcement that near-wall placement provides. They will never sound as good as proper hi-fi speakers like the Sonos line. I'm hoping this new device is just a microphone array, perhaps with Chromecast built in (to allow Google voice integration from Google Home, and casting).
In total contrast to all the current voice recognition buzz, I'd really love to finally see a Gen2 Play:3. The original model looks rather vintage by now and could certainly use an update in sound characteristics as well, compared to those of the Play:1 and Play:5.
+20
Not long before I am put out of my misery:)
+20
For this to be a Play 1 equivalent it would have to use about 1A, the label at FCC shows 100mA.
100mA sounds like a battery charger... for a very small battery.
Userlevel 7
+17
heres my hope - a simple base unit and remote control handset....
- base unit plugs into any sonos device providing both power via POE and communication OR wireless and powered with the lowly 100ma power supply.
- handset is charged from base unit (maybe wireless charging also)
- handset has NO screen and communicates via RF so has very long battery life.
- handset has backlit buttons for volume up, down, previous, next, play/pause, 5 presets to sonos favorites, 5 'room' buttons to switch rooms (perhaps with led to indicate which room is being controlled)
- buttons for night/speech mode for playbar
- a few 'custom' buttons for grouping or other functions (all controlled by the base unit so no firmware update needed for old units)
- a 'Snooze' button for alarms
- provide a simple wall cradle similar like philips hue switch.
- 'bonus feature' of line-in on the base unit ;-)
would be far more convenient than reaching for a phone which must always be charged and sometimes slow to respond or lock screen controls arent active (nothing is playing) plus 101 other reasons why a phone is sometimes annoying.
Id buy one for every room if the price was right (e.g. sub $100).
I know logitech can do some of this but you have to be pretty 'tech savvy' to get it working right.
- base unit plugs into any sonos device providing both power via POE and communication OR wireless and powered with the lowly 100ma power supply.
- handset is charged from base unit (maybe wireless charging also)
- handset has NO screen and communicates via RF so has very long battery life.
- handset has backlit buttons for volume up, down, previous, next, play/pause, 5 presets to sonos favorites, 5 'room' buttons to switch rooms (perhaps with led to indicate which room is being controlled)
- buttons for night/speech mode for playbar
- a few 'custom' buttons for grouping or other functions (all controlled by the base unit so no firmware update needed for old units)
- a 'Snooze' button for alarms
- provide a simple wall cradle similar like philips hue switch.
- 'bonus feature' of line-in on the base unit ;-)
would be far more convenient than reaching for a phone which must always be charged and sometimes slow to respond or lock screen controls arent active (nothing is playing) plus 101 other reasons why a phone is sometimes annoying.
Id buy one for every room if the price was right (e.g. sub $100).
I know logitech can do some of this but you have to be pretty 'tech savvy' to get it working right.
@nicka99...sounds like a lot like a Lutron pico remote. Doesn't meet your price though since the remote will require a Lutron hub. And it doesn't meet your custom button requirements
Alternately, wait for the Alexa integration, then get a dot and echo remote. That would be under $100, but again, not meeting your custom requirements.
Alternately, wait for the Alexa integration, then get a dot and echo remote. That would be under $100, but again, not meeting your custom requirements.
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