Google/Sonos lawsuit: loss of features for Chromecast speakers groups/pairs

This is going to hit hard who relies on Chromecast multiroom.

It's no B&O's fault obviously, but speakers which could only be stereo-paired via Google Home app (i.e. Beosound 1 and 2) and not via the B&O app, are now screwed.

https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Blog/Upcoming-Speaker-Group-changes/bc-p/77977#M653

Very happy B&O with Mozart introduced native stereo pairing via B&O app, ditching Google's unreliable behaviour.

For what concerns groups... they'll no longer allow for group-wide volume adjustment, voice-controlled volume adjustment, and voice-controlled speaker playback start.

I'm sure B&O is now relieved they finally decided to implement Beolink on new products launches (Mozart), after initially thinking they would stop supporting it entirely on 2020-onwards devices to rely 100% on Apple and Google's ecosystems.

Hadn't they done this, they'd really be in a much worse position (than the one they're already in).

https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/6/22871304/google-home-speaker-group-volume-control-changes-sonos-patent-decision

Another writeup, if you find the linked google post a bit dry.

But otherwise hilarious!

So you can no longer connect two B&O speakers to play stereo - because of a lawsuit between Google and Sonos?
Oh dear... Hilarious indeed! 

I don't have to ask anybody to connect anything here.
I don't have to rely on a server somewhere, operated by somebody I don't know to activate my stuff when I want my stuff to activate.

Yes, you can call me old-fashioned, I don't mind.
I am more than happy to be completely in control. 

Martin

Dillen:

So you can no longer connect two B&O speakers to play stereo - because of a lawsuit between Google and Sonos? Oh dear... Hilarious indeed! I don't have to ask anybody to connect anything here. I don't have to rely on a server somewhere, operated by somebody I don't know to activate my stuff when I want my stuff to activate.

Yes, you can call me old-fashioned, I don't mind. I am more than happy to be completely in control. Martin

Completely agree!

Yes, this does say something about how much one relies on 3rd parties for your workflow.

Hard these days to cut them out completely, but relying on them too much has its obvious risks.

Also says something about Google and their general strategy of doing what suits them and dealing with the consequences later.

Now one could argue that Sonos have been a bit petty here, but such is the way with big companies and intellectual property. That said,  Google are not a trusted actor in my mind - I'm happy to keep their involvement in my home to a minimum.

 

Could explain why e.g M3 was updated the other day:

Hiort:

Could explain why e.g M3 was updated the other day:

- general bugfixes

- Google version updated to 1.52

- Improvements to network stability

- Airplay 2 improvements

When did you receive it, and what (M3) firmware version did you get?

My (purchased one week ago, I should add) M5 is on firmware 1.27.47107120390320, and the Cast firmware version is 1.28.102057.

If it doesn't get updated to 1.52.272222 within 30 days of delivery date, I'm returning it (sadly, as I love the sound and believe at its price we're not going to see anything similar anymore from B&O).

 

Edit: I also see you have 2x M3s, can you confirm whether they can be stereo-paired?

I’d like to point out that there is a difference between speaker GROUPS and speaker PAIRS.

In my case, I have M3’s in stereo pair, I should notice no difference.

The difference I will notice, as I have 3 speaker PAIRS in one speaker GROUP, is that I can’t adjust volume for all at the same time.

.

matteventu:

When did you receive it, and what (M3) firmware version did you get?

My (purchased one week ago, I should add) M5 is on firmware 1.27.47107120390320, and the Cast firmware version is 1.28.102057.

If it doesn't get updated to 1.52.272222 within 30 days of delivery date, I'm returning it (sadly, as I love the sound and believe at its price we're not going to see anything similar anymore from B&O).

Edit: I also see you have 2x M3s, can you confirm whether they can be stereo-paired?

I received the update for the M3s Jan 4.

Yes, the M3 can be stereo paired using Google Home app.

Hiort:

I received the update for the M3s Jan 4.

Yes, the M3 can be stereo paired using Google Home

M3 version is now 2.0.47944.120578427