Google Play Music app gets native Sonos support

Google will provide the Android app for its Play Music service with native Sonos support. This eliminates the need for Sonos system owners to use the separate Sonos Controller app to play music in Google Play Music.

The updated Google Play Music app for the Android operating system makes it possible to select a Sonos system at the touch of the ‘casting’ icon. If multiple Sonos devices are available on the network, whether or not in a multi-room setup, the user can choose the desired system.

Google claims that its Android app is the first client that can stream music to the manufacturer’s wireless speakers outside of the Sonos Controller app. Both the Android device and the Sonos hardware must be active on the same WiFi network and the presence of the Sonos Controller app on a tablet or smartphone is an additional requirement.

Whether Google will add similar functionality to its Play Music app for iOS is not yet clear. It is now possible to access the Play Music payment service from Google in the Controller app on both iOS and Android. Other providers of streaming music services, such as Spotify, may follow Google’s example.