Sonos Voice Control, the company’s proprietary smart assistant, is expected to expand its functionality to include compatibility with the Philips Hue smart home platform by the end of 2025, according to Hueblog. This integration will enable users to control Philips Hue lights through voice commands.
Sonos introduced Sonos Voice Control in 2022, approximately three years after its late 2019 acquisition of Snips, a Paris-based company specializing in a “private-by-design” AI voice platform. This voice assistant provided an alternative to existing options such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for controlling Sonos smart speakers. Its initial capabilities included adjusting speaker volume, grouping multiple Sonos speakers for synchronized audio playback, and initiating music playback from compatible streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify. The system emphasizes user privacy by processing all voice commands locally on the device, preventing data transmission to cloud servers.
Since its initial launch, Sonos Voice Control’s functionalities have gradually expanded. Current capabilities include setting timers and checking weather information. The anticipated interoperability with Philips Hue marks the first instance where Sonos Voice Control will integrate with an external smart home platform. Specific operational details regarding the control of Hue lights remain unconfirmed.
However, Hueblog has indicated potential functionalities such as voice activation for turning individual lights on and off, adjusting brightness levels, and activating predefined lighting scenes. Further information regarding this integration may be disclosed during a media event scheduled by Philips Hue for September 3, at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, a venue typically utilized for product and service announcements.
The Verge has contacted Sonos for comment regarding the potential expansion of Sonos Voice Control’s capabilities to include smart home platform compatibility.
