Sonos announces a pair of upcoming updates for its wireless speaker system-- the platform will be integrated with Spotify Connect, before it gets voice control via Amazon Echo or Echo Dot.
Spotify integration comes through the music streaming service's mobile app, and allows direct control of a Sonos system through the Spotify app. Control includes playback and volume as well as track selections, and comes through both home and mobile networks. In addition, the Sonso app can recognise songs being played through Spotify, so if a friend is playing a song a user does not have they can easily add it to their library.
Such integration is a logical step forward for Sonos, since it already signed similar deals with the likes of Apple Music, Tidal and Google Play. It should be available in an October 2016 software update.
As for voice control, integration with the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot devices should arrive to Sonos sometime in 2017. Such functionality is exactly how one imagines-- users can ask Alexa to play music on specific Sonos speakers, and can also ask the voice assistant the title of an unfamiliar track.
In further news on Sonos opening up to 3rd parties, the company is also joining the Open Music Initiative, the organisation dedicated to open sourcing access to music through simplifying the way music creators and rights owners get compensation for their work.
“With the unprecedented growth in streaming, music has become abundant and immediate,” Sonos says. “Together with a growing ecosystem of partners, we’re making sure Sonos owners can easily play the music they love out loud in every room in the home, and intuitively control that experience using our app, our partners’ apps, touch and voice.”
