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At the time I wrote my comment there was just 1 comment. Specifically about Sonos acquiring an AI speech startup which wasn't mentioned in the article. This was
by lowdose 7y ago
At the time I wrote my comment there was just 1 comment. Specifically about Sonos acquiring an AI speech startup which wasn't mentioned in the article. This was information enough for me discarding Sonos POV around what you call bullying.
I usually read the article first, the comments second and write something when I think I have something to add to the discussion.
I really wish you read the HN rules specifically mentioning not to comment about assumptions on reading!
- aprvchndrs 7y ago> The article still has no answer on why it is so difficult to actually get a Sonos to play nice with the two interfaces supplied by Amazon and Google This is answered in the article. That's what GhettoMaestro is talking about. Specifically - Google said that it would pull Assistant support if Sonos added support to simultaneously listen for Alexa. That's the answer as to why they don't support 2 competing interfaces. Not a technical decision - but looks more like a business decision from Google. Even if you disregard bullying - this seems like a way for Google to assert exclusivity. >APIs that every consumer can hookup with IFTTT This only works if the API is open enough to use. I somehow don't think Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant agreements with third-parties would support that.
- lowdose 7y agoSounds like healthy competition behavior to me. Sonos is always allowed to push 2 sku's one for Alexa and one for GA.
- lonelappde 7y agoHolding users hostage and pressuring them to purchase expensive unnecessary additional hardware (wasting resources and pollution) is not healthy competition.