The integration of Amazon Alexa into Sonos speakers like the Sonos One offers a convenient way to control music and smart home devices with voice commands. But can Alexa on Sonos handle daily reminders as effectively as a dedicated Echo device? This article explores the capabilities and limitations of setting daily reminders using Alexa on Sonos.
While initially promising, setting daily reminders directly through a Sonos One can be inconsistent. Often, instead of a spoken reminder, only a generic chime will sound, similar to a timer or alarm. This differs from the expected behavior of a dedicated Echo device, which typically delivers a clear, spoken reminder message.
This discrepancy in functionality stems from the fact that certain Alexa features are not fully supported on third-party devices with Alexa integration. Sonos speakers, while enabling core Alexa functionalities, sometimes lack access to the full suite of features available on native Amazon Echo devices. Customizing notification sounds and messages for reminders seems to fall into this category.
However, there’s a workaround. Instead of relying on voice commands to set reminders directly through the Sonos One, users can leverage the Amazon Alexa mobile app. By creating reminders within the app, the Sonos One will consistently announce customized spoken reminders as intended. This method, while slightly less convenient than using voice commands directly, provides a reliable solution for setting daily reminders on Sonos.
Experimentation confirms that reminders created through the Alexa app consistently trigger spoken announcements on the Sonos One. This suggests that the limitation lies in the direct voice command processing on the Sonos device itself, rather than a complete lack of support for customized reminders.
While Sonos support documentation may indicate that customizing notifications is unavailable on third-party Alexa devices, practical experience demonstrates otherwise. The successful implementation of customized reminders via the Alexa app highlights a potential knowledge gap in the official support information.
This workaround of using the Alexa app offers a practical solution for users seeking reliable daily reminders on their Sonos speakers. It allows for the convenience of voice-controlled smart home features without sacrificing the functionality of personalized reminder notifications. The ability to set reminders, even through a slightly different method, reinforces the value of the Alexa integration in the Sonos ecosystem.
Ultimately, while the direct voice command method for setting daily reminders may fall short on Sonos, the Alexa app provides a reliable alternative. This allows users to enjoy the full benefits of personalized reminders and reinforces the versatility of the Sonos and Alexa integration.
