Sonos has announced AirPlay 2 functionality, with limited Siri integration, is coming to three of its products next month.
The Sonos One, Play:5 (2nd generation) and Playbase will be compatible initially, along with future products from the home audio networking expert.
This integration will allow the trio of speakers to the linked with Apple’s own HomePod speakers and all controlled via iOS and macOS devices.
During a live-streamed event on June 6, Sonos also demonstrated how Siri could be used to control the speakers, so long as the command was routed through an Apple iPhone, iPad or HomePod.
Related: Sonos Beam first look
Interestingly, Sonos offered an example of cross platform voice control integration. During the event, Sonos show how a song could be requested via Siri, then how users could ask Amazon’s Alexa “what song is playing?”
Sonos says this is the first time two digital assistants have been combined for use on the same speaker. With Google Assistant integration coming to the Sonos One soon, it might mean all of the major assistants are soon working together.
AirPlay 2 rolled out last month with iOS 11.4, long after its scheduled arrival alongside HomePod in February. Apple has published a list of third-party speakers compatible with the multi-room audio technology with Sonos among them.
During its event on Wednesday, Sonos also announced its new Sonos Beam sound bar, which works via HDMI, is smaller than the Playbar and Playable and supports Alexa, Assistant and Siri commands. It’ll go on sale on July 17 for £399/$399/€449.
Will this encourage you to buy an Apple HomePod or boost your Sonos speaker line up? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
