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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Maybe you have identified the niche use case where Homepod really would be a better choice. On the other hand an ipod loving apartment dweller can use Bluetooth with an Echo Look or Echo Dot connected to some nice powered speakers and save some money by ignoring the Homepod vs Sonos battle completely. It will be interesting to see what ends up appealing to this group.
Yes, it will be interesting though I can't help thinking that in addition to the above, if the Alexa integration is done well, that will be one more effective barrier to adoption of Homepods.
How can i get on the Beta tester for Sonos and Alexa?
I have two Sonos Connect:AMPS will be adding 4 more shortly, i also just got my hands on a Amazon Dot. would really love to test this out...
I have two Sonos Connect:AMPS will be adding 4 more shortly, i also just got my hands on a Amazon Dot. would really love to test this out...
I just installed MySpeaker and its skills to control my Sonos System via Alexa. So far it works pretty good. One bad is that its application must be running on a PC or Laptop connected to the same network as Sonos.
Your typical Alexa skill works as such.
1 - local Echo dot hears a command.
2 - local Echo dot sends command to Alexa servers that converts voice to text, then determines what to do with it.
3 - if the command is for a 3rd party skill, it sends the skill to the 3rd party server for processing
4 - 3rd party server processes and performs action and gives Alexa servers a response.
5 - Alexa 3rd party servers give a response to your local Echo.
So it's somewhat complicated, but beyond that...Sonos doesn't have a server out there to act as a 3rd party server in this scenario. It would have to set that up in order for a basic 'Alexa tell sonos to play xxx'. On top of that, your sonos system doesn't have a presence outside of your local network. There has never been any sort of registration process of such where the Sonos server (that doesn't yet exist) could no one zones you have in order to command it do something.
That said, there are some work arounds. Your local echo isn't completely dumb in that it can do some actions on it's own. That's why there are some bulbs that work with Echo without need for a smarthub...or work with a smarthum. Most of the time there is a smarthub. So if you have smartthings for example, your Echo knows to send a particular command to your local hub for processing. FYI, there are some hubs that can control sonos, and are setup with Alexa. Therefore you can control Sonos from an Echo by way of a hub...but the functionality is limited.
And I think your statement about simply saying "Alexa, stop" brings up another point. With all of the above mentioned, that command won't work...because you didn't tell it what to stop. You would have to say "Alexa, tell Sonos to stop". And Sonos management has seemed to acknowledged that that is far from ideal. Annoying perhaps. Hence, they want to spend the time to get tighter integration so that when you say stop, Alexa knows it's playing music on Sonos and that must be what you want to stop. Or perhaps when you ask to start music, it knows you mean in the sonos zone you're currently in, and not on the echo's speakers.
And sure, they could have gone with being able to drop the whole 'tell Sonos' at a later date, but the development work for going all the way can't be built off of going halfway. So why not just go all the way.
Again, not an expert, but that's what it seems like to me.
Thanks for that, I think you're more of an expert than you let on.
My thoughts are, Philips has a hub and different zones and Alexa works great with it. Logitech Harmony has a hub and I can control my TV through Alexa voice commands. My Nest thermostat works directly with Alexa voice commands. If Philips, Logitech, Nest and others have figured out the integration (some with a hub, others without one) then why can't Sonos? Sonos, of course, can work with a Bridge or directly through wifi so that give them two possible starting points. I'm absolutely not an expert and there's likely a great reason why they can't get this done. I just like to know what the sticking point actually is.
Btw, the "stop" command thing was for the posters saying Alexa couldn't hear them over loud music that was playing through the Alexa app. Otherwise, yes, you'd have to be more specific about what you wanted to stop.
Also, Alexa was designed with existing WiFi lights, thermostats, garage door openers, etc., in mind. As mentioned before, the ability to control anything other than rudimentary external audio devices was not there. Certainly not multi-room speakers with grouping, multiple sources, multiple volume controls, etc. All this functionality had to be designed and implemented, and if one thinks about, it doesn't take long to run into logistical problems that need to be solved in order to offer a seamless experience. This also has to be done in conjunction with Amazon, who may or may not be on the same set of priorities or timetable.
For those who think it's easy, here are the docs. Have at it! Lol
https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-voice-service/content/avs-api-overview
Involved in one right now. Multiple vendors running the same single vendor app on different POS hardware using a dozen different device drivers, connecting first to a 20 year old legacy OLTP system, then to a brand new, state of the art OLTP host. Dual site locations, 4 redundant hosting systems, countless peripheral systems for operational control, security, web hosting, mobile app data, archival data, reporting, etc. Base software already written, but the timeline is still over 2 years from design to completion for the site specific customizations.
Yes: https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-voice-service/reference/audioplayer
To use this with Sonos today you would need to provide a "fake" silent mp3 stream to "play".
An update from the Sonos folks would be appreciated. I love my Sonos equipment, and continue to invest (I have 2 play 5s, 3 play 1s, soundbar, subwoofer, a connect, and a connect amp). As a paying customer whose been told this feature is coming, at least SOME sort of an update would be appropriate.
It would appear that some info is leaking out. See http://www.aftvnews.com/beta-testers-can-now-control-sonos-speakers-through-any-alexa-enabled-device/
Just piling on. When the press release (almost a year ago) states "the companies will begin rolling out the experience through an invite-only beta test later this year, with general availability in 2017.", it leads you to believe early 2017. And with no announced date, I am growing skeptical myself. I've been a beta multiple times before, it doesn't take this long and I've heard no chatter from beta users. If the intent was to boost holiday sales with a something far far away, Amazon hit with me, Sonos did not. With 7 zones already, I am fully invested in Sonos but I did drop coin on a six pack of dots with the primary purpose to voice enable Sonos throughout my home. Will it ever really happen? Or do I need to rethink how I voice enable sound in my home?
The majority of sales of electronic devices happens once per year: the Christmas shopping season. You can be quite sure that the Sonos/Alexa integration will be finished, and most likely in its second or third iteration, by then.
Sonos, a normally tight-lipped outfit, has repeatedly stated the project is being worked on and is on track for release this year. They have never stated anything else, though some (including myself) assumed the development cycle was shorter. I was wrong, as were others.
This is good information, I think, regarding what functionality will be available. I was hoping that you could tie a specific echo to a specific zone. In that way, you wouldn't have to name the zone you want to play music in. If this article can be trusted, it does look like that will be implemented. You will have to add 'in the kitchen' to your command.
While a little disappointed about that, it is also implies that you will be able to use your echo without disturbing the music playing in the same room/zone. I don't want to pause the music when I ask about the weather, and I certainly didn't want sonos to forget what was currently playing. This implementation sounds like you won't be able to have your sonos speakers respond as the voice of Alexa. Perfectly fine with me.
What isn't clear is, will the music source be from what you have setup in Alexa or from your sources in the Sonos configuration? Hopefully the later. If you ask Alexa to play music without specifying a zone, will it just play on it's own speakers or ask you for a zone. If you want multiple zones, can you list them out? Can't wait to find out.
as a new sonos owner , as others, we love the sound quality, just hoping the alexa integration come, everytime friends come to visit our home, and ask how does sonos integrates on echo dot, he..... he..he..... all I can say ... it's work in progress, but most of the time, I got feedback from friends, it will be awesome to have voice integrated on SONOS, as SONOS has great sounds........
The music shouldn't pause but it would be nice if the volume dropped a little while Alexa is speaking so you can hear her.
I wonder if you are supposed to give the Echo and Sonos speaker in each room the same name or if they need to be unique? If I am at my desk I assume I can say call the Kitchen and that will activate the Kitchen Echo but if I say play some music in the Kitchen that this will cause the Kitchen Sonos speaker to play. Or maybe Amazon plans to let you tell one Echo to play music on another Echo at some point which would mean unique names all around; "Kitchen Echo" and "Kitchen Sonos"?
Therefore the fact is everyone is asking for it. The excuse we dont knows etc etc is just rubbish. When developing anything you have a clear roadmap of when its likely to be completed. This is a poor attitude from Sonos and like others tired of waiting for it or some news.
But my saviour has come Amazon Prime Day half price big echos so ill just get one of those and sell the Sonos. I dont need wireless to play music. I dont need bridges to play music etc etc Not having bluetooth in all Sonos is stupid. Its a pretty useless expensive speaker if you dont have wireless! Time to get rid tbh. Tired of hearing excuses or actually not hearing anything its arrogant for Sonos to think its OK.
Echo is good, but not comparable to Sonos in sound quality. Bluetooth to headphones is a plus.. Also, you are tied to Amazon Music or Spotify - no access to your own music library. Voice control is useful but not the Holy Grail some people expect it to be.
This person does actually...ive had my sonos for quite a few years thank you. Things have changed and Sonos hasnt. Whether the quality is better or not the fact is it should have built in bluetooth as standard. The only reason it doesnt is purely to tie you in to buy more Sonos products and speakers. If my internet went down i have basically a useless speaker. If had bought 5 sonos play 1 for example for each room they would be rendered useless if i didnt have wireless or internet fact. Not only that i need to buy a bridge just for one speaker!! Every other brand have Bluetooth to just play music ad actually the quality is pretty good unless youre a complete sound nerd. Have you actually heard the Big Amazon Echo? Its very good and I dont have to worry one bit about Sonos integration and actually the Sonos speaker arent actually that great they are quite bassy. Everyone is integrating with Alexa EVERYONE. But as I said we can move to other products. There is a legitimate reason people are bashing Sonos. They are now out of date people want instant On, not have to have lots of things just to play music.
Its not been out long. It will integrate with everything. Remember when the Sonos app first came out? It was a nightmare just setting up Sonos never mind trying to link to Spotify. Sonos app doesnt support other music streams yet either. Again without an internet connection sonos is rendered completely useless.
Its not been out long. It will integrate with everything. Remember when the Sonos app first came out? It was a nightmare just setting up Sonos never mind trying to link to Spotify. Sonos app doesnt support other music streams yet either. Again without an internet connection sonos is rendered completely useless.
1) Alexa doesn't work without an internet connection
2) The significant majority of music listened to via Sonos is streamed - That doesn't work without internet.
3) Internet radio streams don't work without internet.
You know alexa works with bluetooth right?
I.think you need to check things before posting
Its not been out long. It will integrate with everything. Remember when the Sonos app first came out? It was a nightmare just setting up Sonos never mind trying to link to Spotify. Sonos app doesnt support other music streams yet either. Again without an internet connection sonos is rendered completely useless.
1) Alexa doesn't work without an internet connection
2) The significant majority of music listened to via Sonos is streamed - That doesn't work without internet.
3) Internet radio streams don't work without internet.
You know alexa works with bluetooth right?
I.think you need to check things before posting
No, Alexa needs an internet connection for voice control. Perhaps you meant Echo, which can be used as a crappy Bluetooth speaker, but what's the point?
Sonos got caught napping. Things moved on. Everyone and their mum offers a wifi speaker now. Sonos wanted to keep it a closed ecosystem to guarantee future sales, but the market has exploded and Sonos have changed track and are now trying to integrate whilst not becoming another casting speaker where they are overpriced.
A fine line to tread, I wish them well, but feel they may have left it too late.......blackberry phone anyone ;O))
A fine line to tread, I wish them well, but feel they may have left it too late.......blackberry phone anyone ;O))
I don't even want voice.
I want bbc iplayer radio, which voice might one day bring to sonos through google home. I can't see any other way it will ever happen. Again this might not add many sales to sonos, but might keep current UK customers from selling up.
I want bbc iplayer radio, which voice might one day bring to sonos through google home. I can't see any other way it will ever happen. Again this might not add many sales to sonos, but might keep current UK customers from selling up.
So why are you posting about it in the "SONOS ALEXA Integration?" Not only are you a broken record, you are an off-topic one.
Posting that you don't want a feature in that feature discussion forum is on topic. Talk about broken freaking record.
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