Sonos intends to extend its voice control capabilities in collaboration with Philips Hue, allowing for harmonious smart home integration.
In a groundbreaking move, Sonos has introduced its Voice Control smart assistant to its range of smart speakers and soundbars, marking the first time the company has been compatible with another smart home platform. The announcement was made recently and details about the new feature were shared on the HueBlog.
The Voice Control smart assistant is set to integrate with Philips Hue's full portfolio of lighting and security devices, according to media reports. This collaboration is expected to enable voice commands to control Philips Hue smart lights, including turning individual lights on and off, adjusting their brightness, and activating predefined lighting scenes.
The integration of Sonos Voice Control with Philips Hue represents a significant expansion of the assistant's capabilities, moving beyond simple audio control to external smart home devices. Currently, the integration focuses specifically on Philips Hue smart lighting control through Sonos speakers using voice commands processed locally on the device for privacy reasons.
Philips Hue has been expanding into other smart home gadgets beyond lighting, and it remains unclear whether Sonos Voice Control will be compatible with these additional devices such as security cameras, sensors, and smart plugs.
The media event scheduled for early September 2025, potentially at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, may provide more information about the extent of Sonos Voice Control's compatibility with Philips Hue's smart home platform.
Sonos Voice Control already has a range of capabilities, including setting timers, checking the weather, telling the time, adjusting volume, and skipping songs. With the collaboration with Philips Hue, it is expected to expand its functionality further.
The specific functionality that will come from this collaboration between Sonos and Philips Hue is still unclear, but it is exciting news for those looking to streamline their smart home experience even further. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach the anticipated media event in September.
In the realm of home-and-garden and technology, the collaboration between Sonos Voice Control and Philips Hue promises a new dimension to smart-home lifestyle, going beyond audio control to encompass voice commands for controlling Philips Hue smart lights. The ongoing partnership is anticipated to further expand Sonos Voice Control's capabilities, potentially including compatibility with additional Philips Hue smart home devices like security cameras, sensors, and smart plugs.