Best answer by Ryan S
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SONOS ALEXA Integration?
Userlevel 3
Been waiting to hear news about when this will happen and am starting to think it never will. I have Sonos and Alexa in every room. I did this with the assurance that Sonos and Alexa are going to work together. There has been next to no news regarding integration for the past 6 months.... When can we expect to hear about Sonos and Alexa integration? Is it still happening? Please any update would be appreciated.
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Userlevel 3
+1
Just not how I read the Sonos Staff statement. hence why I asked. Maybe Apple is the answer. it usually is
Well, it's either that or not do voice control at all. Right now, Alexa is the defacto standard for voice control. Sonos could either partner with them, or wait the 2-4 years it takes to design, create, test, tool, manufacture, and release the hardware/software to do it themselves. The choice is pretty simple if they wanted to get in on the market now, with a mature voice control product.
Also, many people already have a home full of Dots for lights, thermostats, television, security, etc. Matter of fact, the response to the Alexa announcement saw hundreds of posters here volunteering for the private beta, something which never happened before. It seems not many are put off by the hardship of buying a Dot and finding an outlet as one may think.
Also, many people already have a home full of Dots for lights, thermostats, television, security, etc. Matter of fact, the response to the Alexa announcement saw hundreds of posters here volunteering for the private beta, something which never happened before. It seems not many are put off by the hardship of buying a Dot and finding an outlet as one may think.
Userlevel 3
+1
so will that mean we need to buy, find space and a power socket for a dot in every room we have Sonos? not a free or neat "software" upgrade.
The only Sonos speaker with a microphone is the Play:5 2nd Gen, and it is not the far field microphone array needed for voice control. So the coming Sonos implementation will achieve voice control via an Amazon Alexa device (Echo, Dot, Tap, Fire TV or Fire Tablet). You will speak to the Alexa device, and it will relay the commands to Sonos.
There is also talk of interfacing with Apple/Google voice assistant devices in the future, as well as putting a far field microphone array in future Sonos models.
Userlevel 3
+1
Can I ask a daft question as I am a little confused? If you can add Voice Control with a software upgrade are there Microphones in all your speakers ? a software solution sound truly fabulous.
Userlevel 3
+1
Userlevel 3
+5
I've searched a little about Airplay 2, but I don't see anything elaborating on what they consider to be multi-room. I'm sure you can play the same source in multiple rooms, but I see nothing about different sources. And yes, you could play music from Apple or whatever is on your phone, which sounds nice, but is really rather limited in practicality, especially when you consider what Sonos offers.
It will be a rather interesting Christmas retail season.
Apple is making a gamble. They are trying to target Sonos customers. By what I see on this forum, they are forever expecting more and better. But customers who experience the effortless setup with Sonos and migrate to Homepod will likely face the same issues but will Apple support the network issues they face? I can't get them to fix the issues I am facing at home in an Apple Store. Then they have to setup a support infra for the home network and third part products like routers et al. I use all the Apple products and know they are good but this is home!! Integration is key. Involvement is also key.
...and they rush out a broken implementation, and then everyone gives them grief for not testing before release.
Which is not to let Sonos off the hook, as they 100% were resting on their laurels a little bit.
I am sure I am biased, but I just can't be that impressed with HomePod. What I've read just doesn't give me a good feeling about it all. Sure, there will be diehard apple fans, but I'm not sure it's going to cause many people to drop Echo or Google in favor of Apple.
I've searched a little about Airplay 2, but I don't see anything elaborating on what they consider to be multi-room. I'm sure you can play the same source in multiple rooms, but I see nothing about different sources. And yes, you could play music from Apple or whatever is on your phone, which sounds nice, but is really rather limited in practicality, especially when you consider what Sonos offers.
I think you also have to consider the entry price People are going to be much more comfortable with $50-$200 dollar range, particularly when gift giving, then they are with $350.
It will be a rather interesting Christmas retail season.
I've searched a little about Airplay 2, but I don't see anything elaborating on what they consider to be multi-room. I'm sure you can play the same source in multiple rooms, but I see nothing about different sources. And yes, you could play music from Apple or whatever is on your phone, which sounds nice, but is really rather limited in practicality, especially when you consider what Sonos offers.
I think you also have to consider the entry price People are going to be much more comfortable with $50-$200 dollar range, particularly when gift giving, then they are with $350.
It will be a rather interesting Christmas retail season.
Sonos need to get this feature out there sooner rather than later in light of Apples Homepod which will compete in the same market space.
Userlevel 7
+22
I would be most certain we will see some Alexa integration prior to the release of the Homepod.
So I have been waiting 1/2 year. I have six Echoes, and approximately 20 SONOS speakers ( big house). I bought my first Sonos roughly 15 years ago ( early adopter ). I also like Apple products. If Apple delivers a voice-controlled high-quality speaker before SONOS, I'm a buyer. Simple. Too bad for SONOS. It's taking too long. I'm a little bit sad.
Apple just announced that iOS11/MacOS 10.13 includes Airplay 2 which is a multiroom system that integrates with their Homekit, which means that it will be possible to play sound from any app, and to any combination of Airplay 2 supporting speakers. Which seems to be about all Sonos' competitors.
Correction: Apple just announced a new speaker. They haven't released anything and don't plan to until December.
Given Sonos gave 2017 as the release year, there's every chance the HomePod could be out before Sonos/Alexa integration 🆒
There already is some low level integration of Sonos through third party hubs. In that respect, I don't know that it makes much sense for Sonos to build their own for a short term solution.
As for the HomePod, I am sure their are plenty of Apple fans who will get on board no matter what, but there are few disadvantages it has. For one, it's Apple, so it won't work with any other tech if it doesn't have to. The only music service available is Apple Music as far as I can tell. It also has no variety in product. Just one $350 device. You can pair it with another speaker(s) but no mention of stereo pairing or playing different sources in different zones. No ability to play from a line in source or tv. Even as a voice assistant, it is way behind Amazon and Google.
The sound quality is compared to a Play 3, so price wise it's no different than a dot matched to a Play 3, but with less versatility. It will do well because it's Apple, but it could actually bring in more people to the market and increase Sonos sales, rather then decrease it.
As for the HomePod, I am sure their are plenty of Apple fans who will get on board no matter what, but there are few disadvantages it has. For one, it's Apple, so it won't work with any other tech if it doesn't have to. The only music service available is Apple Music as far as I can tell. It also has no variety in product. Just one $350 device. You can pair it with another speaker(s) but no mention of stereo pairing or playing different sources in different zones. No ability to play from a line in source or tv. Even as a voice assistant, it is way behind Amazon and Google.
The sound quality is compared to a Play 3, so price wise it's no different than a dot matched to a Play 3, but with less versatility. It will do well because it's Apple, but it could actually bring in more people to the market and increase Sonos sales, rather then decrease it.
After Apple's announcement yesterday - I am really excited to hear any NEW news on Sonos-Alexa integration - I have my house covered with Sonos and use Alexa as my automation hub but have to revert to connecting to a BT receiver. Excited for the day when I can have Alexa play music through my Sonos network....
I'll be interested to see how Sonos-Alexa integration works in practice.
I've got a Sonos Play 3 and Echo Dot in my kitchen and when music is playing, I often find I need to shout at Alexa several times to get commands recognised.
Given the Apple HomePod contains both mics and speakers, I wonder if Apple can do some clever audio processing to improve speech recognition over loud music?
I think it is inevitable that the Apple HomePod will take some sales away from Sonos although my guess is that Sonos knew this was coming... Apple AirPlay2 is improving multi-room audio for Apple devices and while it won't be at the level of Sonos, when your name is Apple, you don't need to be the best to sell product, just "good enough".
I've got a Sonos Play 3 and Echo Dot in my kitchen and when music is playing, I often find I need to shout at Alexa several times to get commands recognised.
Given the Apple HomePod contains both mics and speakers, I wonder if Apple can do some clever audio processing to improve speech recognition over loud music?
I think it is inevitable that the Apple HomePod will take some sales away from Sonos although my guess is that Sonos knew this was coming... Apple AirPlay2 is improving multi-room audio for Apple devices and while it won't be at the level of Sonos, when your name is Apple, you don't need to be the best to sell product, just "good enough".
Userlevel 3
+5
Gazing into my Crystal Ball I can see an Echo Dot like gadget shaped like a Apple TV that could become the integration for all other products - Alexa / Siri and Google. 🆒
Userlevel 2
+1
I'm surprised no one has gone to Sonos and said "help us make the best smart speaker on the market"
Sonos, Sonosnet, et al are the best in the business at multiroom.
Sonos, Sonosnet, et al are the best in the business at multiroom.
Correction: Apple just announced a new speaker. They haven't released anything and don't plan to until December.
I get that this is being worked on. But to be honest it has taken way way too long. They should have built a skill for a low level integration. They should be embarrassed that Apple just released a speaker and they haven't even given their loyal customer base a update which allows simple interface with Alexa. Wouldn't surprise me that they are holding back their own smart speaker which runs either Google or Alexa. Regardless, I feel my loyalty has been taken advantage of... Software wise. This is taking way too long. There really is no excuse. We bought into the Sonos vision. They are now running 6 months behind a reasonable schedule for an update. 😠
Who said anyone was advocating for a proprietary speech recognition? The CEO himself said they are going to strive to incorporate other voice control platforms, not invent their own.
Soon please. I don't like listening to music on my Alexa. I want to use my 2 5's. But I'm lazy. Alexa play the rolling stones is just too easy..... I can handle "alexa play the rolling stones on Sonos". Make it so Sonos wizards. Oh, and anyone in the decision loop who is advocating for a proprietary speech rec system should be demoted, fired and/or terminated. Oh again, I don't really listen to the rolling stones on Alexa Echo. That would be stupid.
There was no official statement from Sonos. Anyone who knows anything about any testing going on is under a very strict NDA. So anyone saying anything is guessing, because nobody in the know would risk violating the NDA.
That post is pure speculation and rumor.
That post is pure speculation and rumor.
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