Sonos smart speaker owners can now use IFTTT to enable many home automation tasks
IFTTT (If This Then That) has become the first major player of the “Works with Sonos” program, which was opened to third-party developers two weeks ago. It opens several new opportunities for
Sonos speaker owners to control their smart homes.
Use cases can be set up so that the Sonos speaker will start playing a certain album when users arrive home, or the speaker will stop the music when users leave home, based on change in users’ location data. The speaker may also pause the audio when users answer their phone, or lower the volume automatically when someone rings the smart doorbell via IFTTT.
Other possible scenarios include stopping the audio when user’s Uber arrive at the front door, playing a specific song when the Dominos pizza order is out for delivery, or stopping all music if the Nest Protect smoke alarm detects an emergency.
The new IFTTT feature brings lots of automation options for smart home owners who have a Sonos speaker, without having to depend on voice assistant Alexa. They can also create applets or recipes, which are automation commands on the IFTTT platform, in order to better accommodate their connected home requirement.
IFTTT support on Sonos device was launched in beta. Sonos unveiled the new extended developer program at the end of August, adding capability for third-party apps and connected home interface to control Sonos devices and its platform.
One interesting API from the extended program is called “preview phase” for audio notifications. One use case is that a connected doorbell will be able to send alerts to Sonos speakers at home after detecting somebody at the door.
The new developer program brings new opportunities for hundreds of third-party applications and connections. Besides making smart speakers powered by multiple voice assistants, Sonos may be able to position itself differently through IFTTT, since everyone needs a speaker at home for home entertainment purposes.
Sonos just become a public company at the beginning of August. To appeal to its investors, Sonos might need to work out different strategies in the smart home industry other than just making smart speakers.