As competition within the smart speaker market continues to intensify, Sonos has ‘welcomed’ Apple’s HomePod to the party, with a tongue-in-cheek custom playlist.
Good luck with your #homepod launch @Apple. We made you a playlist. https://t.co/zh8KctGAJe
— Sonos (@Sonos) February 9, 2018
Sonos’ sassy HomePod welcome is an interesting response, considering the unique relationship both companies have.
Whilst Apple stores sell Sonos speakers, and Sonos products support Apple Music streaming, the dawn of the HomePod and Sonos One will see both products compete head-to-head.
Despite the launch of Amazon Alexa in Australia, Sonos is yet to deploy smart assistant functionality within its Sonos One speaker. Scheduled for Alexa support in “Autumn 2018” Sonos’ One speaker remains largely similar to its predecessor.
The news comes as Apple’s Siri powered HomePod landed in Australian stores Friday last week.
Read chronologically, song titles in Sonos’ HomePod playlist reveal a not-so-subtle message (below):
“Hello Apple Something About Us Together Feels Right Even Though You’re Crazy For This Home POD Remember Two Is Better Than One Just Playing (Dreams) It’s A Party Everybody’s Coming To My House Even You Come As You Are Fruit Machine No Matter What You’re Told We’re Going To Be Friends Over Everything”
The choice to collate tracks on Spotify is also notable, as Apple does not offer direct Spotify playback like Sonos’ speakers do.
The company’s response is inspired by the actions of a viral meme last year:
So my sister has gone on a couple of dates with a guy named Wyatt but she likes someone else so she made him a Spotify playlist and… pic.twitter.com/kJmgrUBwqb
— Erika (@errikkxa) April 4, 2017
