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 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.
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.
+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.
Userlevel 7
+17
How do you know that ?
+20
So.. it's the Sonos microphone but no idea what service it works with, just have to wait a little bit.
+20
Airplay 2 adapter 😃
Userlevel 3
+2
I think this could be the best of both worlds....Sonos adding Mics to all new speakers released after a certain Date so that you don't need to have a amazon echo or dot in them rooms for it to work and for our older Sonos speakers all we need to do is just place a echo or Dot in them rooms for it to work...and it could work like said before for the true play side of things with the release of new speakers as well.
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.
Indeed you did. I missed that, sorry.
Yes, I said so above. People have asked for a microphone before and such a device could kill two birds with one stone..
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?
Sonos could be looking at this as a way of adding Alexa functionality to existing Sonos but non-Alexa households - and could be a Sonos/Amazon collaborative effort. As I say though it's not easy because I think it has to be at most the price of a Dot - otherwise why get one?
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).
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.
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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...
Userlevel 7
+17
how can that be ? Alexa integration is between an amazon echo device and existing sonos devices (as already announced) so what would an additional device bring ? I doubt sonos could knock out an internet enabled voice activated microphone array for less than an echo dot so why would anyone buy it ?
My bet is that it has to do with Alexa integration.
Userlevel 3
+2
Looks like it could be for my Turntable so i can free up my Sonos CONNECT and put it to better use 🙂
Userlevel 7
+17
could it be an outdoor/battery speaker where 5ghz is not needed as wouldnt be part of a surround setup ?
Userlevel 7
+21
In this case, 3x3 isn't size... it's the fact that it can handle 3 RF transmissions in each direction at once (aka MIMO, multiple in, multiple out). Same for "Directional gain and output power"... it's using multiple antennas to send a higher power RF signal in a particular direction.
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