Sonos just unveiled a new voice-controlled smart speaker that will work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
The $199 Sonos One is slated to launch globally on Oct. 24 with support for Alexa. Support for Google Assistant will arrive next year, making Sonos One "the first and only smart speaker to support multiple major voice services," Sonos wrote in a news release.
The company also today announced a free software update, which will let current Sonos owners in the US, UK, and Germany control their systems with Alexa. You will, however, need an Alexa-enabled device like an Echo or Echo Dot to take advantage of this feature.
The Sonos One will play music, podcasts, and audiobooks from more than 80 streaming services. At launch, those in the US, UK, and Germany will be able to use Alexa to control Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, SiriusXM, and TuneIn. Sonos said Alexa voice control for Spotify will follow "soon after launch."
With Alexa's help, you can pause and skip tracks, adjust the volume, and find out what's playing—all with your voice. Sonos One owners will also be able to use voice commands to control their entire Sonos home sound systems.
So, why buy the Sonos One instead of a cheaper smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or Google Home? Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said it comes down to sound quality. Sonos One features two Class-D digital amplifiers, one tweeter, and one mid-woofer plus a six-mic array to ensure Alexa or Google Assistant can hear you clearly.
"We live in a golden age of streaming entertainment," Spence said in a statement. "But so much of this great content is being pushed through smart speakers that aren't designed with sound quality in mind. With our open approach to collaboration, agnostic approach to voice services, the strength of our many innovative partners, and a sound platform designed for the whole home, we're helping people listen more and listen better."
Sonos also today announced it will begin supporting Apple's AirPlay2 next year. This will let you play sound from an iOS device on your Sonos speakers.
Sonos One is available for pre-order now in white and black matte finishes.
Meanwhile, Amazon last week refreshed its Echo lineup, revealing a smaller $99 version of its Echo speaker, a $149 Echo Plus with a built-in smart home hub, and the Echo Spot, which looks like a cross between the Echo Dot and Echo Show.