Big news for existing Sonos users
If you haven't heard, Sonos recently launched a brand new speaker with Alexa voice control built-in. Incredible, yes, but what about all of us long-time Sonos loyalists with our Play:1 speakers and Playbars? Don't worry, Sonos is not leaving us behind. Now your favorite speaker is taking requests...
As of October 4th, if you have an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, you can wirelessly connect your existing Sonos speakers to Alexa voice assistant devices to use your voice to play and control songs, playlists, radio stations, podcasts, etc. That's for any Sonos speaker, in any room of your home.
Simply update your Sonos system to Sonos 8.0, turn on the Sonos Skill in your Alexa app, and ask Alexa to find your Sonos devices. Alexa will find your Sonos speakers, wherever they are - and teach them to listen and obey. (Step-by-step set-up instructions below).
What does this mean?
For starters, it means no more getting up and pushing buttons or looking for (or fumbling with) your smartphone or tablet. Just ask, and you shall receive. Manage your playlist and access your entire digital music library and, as Sonos puts it, all the music on Earth (Pandora, Sirius, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music and more). Request songs while you cook, check the weather or sports scores from the shower, play Jeopardy... with complete hands free freedom. All you have to do is ask.
Sonos will do anything that Alexa can do including work with other smart home enabled devices, so you can dim the lights, control your thermostat, etc. And she will continue to get smarter over time - better at recognizing your voice and faster at executing your commands. Plus, you'll benefit from Sonos' future-proofing with continual updates, new skills and services (Spotify control, Applie AirPlay 2, Google Assistant, over 80 streaming services - coming in 2018).
While Spotify is available through Sonos, the ability to ask Alexa to play Spotify music through your Sonos speakers is not yet supported.
Connecting Alexa to any Sonos speaker in your home
What do I need to control my Sonos through Alexa?
1. An internet connection/Wi-Fi router
2. Any Sonos speaker or Sonos system running the latest update.
3. An Alexa enabled device like the Echo or Dot.
How do I control my Sonos speakers through Alexa?
1. Make sure you have your Amazon Alexa device and your Sonos system already up and running as you normally would.
2. Open the Alexa app on your mobile device (or computer).
3. Add the Sonos skill - From the menu in the Alexa app, tap Skills > Search for Sonos > Choose the Sonos Skill > Tab Enable and sign into your Sonos account.
4. Discover devices on the Alexa app to have Alexa find all of your Sonos speakers - Say "Alexa, discover devices" or open the Alexa app and tap Smart Home from the menu, tap Devices and Discover.
Once Alexa discovers all of your devices, you can begin controlling your Sonos system with Alexa voice assistant.
What commands can I give Alexa?
Alexa, play my party playlist in the kitchen.
Alexa, turn up the volume in the kitchen.
Alexa, play my lullabies playlist in the babies room.
Alexa, pause (or skip, stop, next song, previous song).
Alexa, what is the weather today?
Alexa, skip to the next song.
For a full list of commands that you can use with Alexa for your Sonos, check out Sonos' full article on Controlling your Sonos with Amazon Alexa.
Want us to set it up for you?
Give us a call at one of our showrooms.
