On Tuesday, Sonos announced a partnership with Spotify and Amazon at an event in Manhattan. The wireless speaker’s maker also unveiled new software innovations ranging from voice control to partner app integrations. Integrations will allow the users to discover, share and navigate music easier than ever.
Sonos announced the new Alexa integrations. Users with Alexa-enabled devices like the Amazon Echo or the Echo dot will be able to use the Alexa service to control their Sonos speakers. By integrating Alexa to the Sonos sound systems, owners will be able to use commands such as ‘play’, ‘pause’, ‘skip’, ‘control volume’, and more. Alexa will be also able to play music from Amazon Music and Spotify into any Sonos speaker in the user’s home.
Amazon’s VP, Mike George, described music as one of the most used features on Alexa-enable devices. He highlighted the importance of Echo and Alexa and the ease of the ‘hands-free’ voice control. George said that combining the ‘magic’ of Alexa with Sonos will be incredible.
The integration will be posted on Alexa-enable devices like the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, and Amazon Fire TV. As for the Sonos, it will work on new and previously purchased Speakers. Both companies will begin testing the new integration later this year on an invite-only beta. The integration will roll out to the general public in 2017.
“WITH THE UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH IN STREAMING, MUSIC HAS BECOME ABUNDANT AND IMMEDIATE…TOGETHER WITH A GROWING ECOSYSTEM OF PARTNERS, WE’RE MAKING SURE SONOS OWNERS CAN EASILY PLAY THE MUSIC THEY LOVE,” said Sonos Chief Executive Officer John MacFarlane.
Sonos also unveiled a Spotify Connect Integration
The Spotify app will be able to control the whole sound system in a home. The app will feature play controls and access to group and group rooms.
The Sonos and Spotify apps will be linked one another. Without having to download the Sonos app, friends will be able to connect to the home’s WiFi and use their Spotify app to play music through the Sonos Speakers. On the other hand, the Sonos app can be used away from home.
The software update will be available in October as part of Sonos’ public beta
Sonos also announced more integrations with different music services such as Pandora. Pandora’s CEO Tim Westergren said that using the Pandora app to control Sonos will create a unique music experience. Westergren also was excited to continue working along Sonos.
Lastly, Sonos announced joining the Open Music Initiative. The organization founded in June 2016 pursues the goal of simplifying how music creators and right owners are compensated for their art.
Source: Sonos