#Sonos chromecast software#

It’s actually kind of weird that Google hasn’t figured out a replacement. Instead, you could spend another $50 when the replacement device arrives, attach it to your speakers, and be happy all over again. Even if Google decided to end support for Chromecast Audio or a future replacement, you wouldn’t be out the thousands of dollars like some will soon be because of Sonos’ decision. You could buy the smarts as an add-on without the hefty entry price.

#Sonos chromecast software#

It really is too bad, though, because with an affordable option like Chromecast Audio available, you could buy speakers that aren’t equipped with Google Assistant or Google Cast or a software component like Sonos uses that needs never-ending support that companies may not want to provide. There were rumors at one point suggesting that the new Nest Mini might have an audio out functionality that could then act as a Chromecast Audio replacement, but it arrived without that. Unfortunately, Google killed the Chromecast Audio at the beginning of 2019 and has yet to release any sort of replacement. You can Cast almost any music service to one, attach the Chromecast Audio speakers to audio groups in Google Home, and again, bring general smarts to speakers you may have purchased years and years ago for just $35 (or even cheaper when discounted). While there is a deeper conversation to be had there around the expectations of support for the different types of tech products we buy, my mind this morning as I sent a Spotify playlist over to my non-smart Polk Audio bookshelf speakers from 2012, couldn’t help but think, “Where the hell is Google’s replacement for Chromecast Audio?” It would solve problems like this and possibly push you away from smart speakers that might end up in the e-recycle bin.įor those not familiar, Google’s Chromecast Audio was introduced in 2015, took the Cast abilities of the regular Chromecast and brought it to speakers, allowing you to bring new life to your potentially older in-home audio setup. Sonos, for the products that they are now putting to rest, has provided support for 10+ years. That’s not me making an excuse for Sonos, that’s just me pointing out the reality of tech in your life that needs software to keep running. Keep in mind that phone companies can barely maintain two years worth of updates and you spend double the price of a Sonos speaker to get one every couple of years. And technology ages quickly, is ever-evolving depending on customer needs, and requires support from the company that sold it to you. Because even as Sonos speakers are speakers first, with a focus on better sounding audio that can play anywhere in your house, they are still pieces of technology.

That’s probably a fair assumption too, though maybe it’s a bit naive in this ever-changing world of technology. My guess is that most who buy Sonos products do so assuming they will last a lifetime, similar to what you may expect from non-smart high-end speaker systems. The announcement from Sonos that they plan to discontinue support for a number of older products has (rightfully) left a sour taste in the mouth of those who spent hundreds (possibly thousands) of dollars on their expensive, high-end WiFi speakers.