Sonos home audio systems will support Apple Music by the end of the year, an Apple spokesperson has confirmed. The wireless streaming system maker had previously announced it wouldn't be supporting Apple Music at launch, but was planning to integrate the new service "ASAP".
Now, an Apple spokesperson has told Buzzfeed that "we're working together to make #AppleMusic available on Sonos before the end of the year".
Sonos is perhaps the best known home audio system in the world. It allows users to keep listening to the same audio stream as they move from room to room, with connected speakers placed throughout the home.
Sonos is compatible with a number of other popular streaming services, including Spotify, Google Play Music, TuneIn Radio and even Apple Music's predecessor, Beats Music. However, it seems Apple has been focused on getting Music working on mobile apps rather than home audio systems at launch. Apple surprised many when it announced there would be an Android version of Music, although the app won't be ready until the autumn.
Previous comments from Sophos staff hinted that Apple hadn't provided the technical information/APIs for Sonos equipment to work with Music, but it seems Apple is now determined to make it happen, ensuring potential customers aren't given any excuse to stick with Spotify or other streaming providers.
Sonos has long been touted as a potential Apple acquisition. Tim Cook's company is sitting on almost $200 billion of cash in the bank, making privately-held Sonos an easily affordable target. Apple spent $3 billion to acquire Dr Dre's Beats last year, buying not only the headphone hardware business but the Beats streaming service that now underpins Music.
Beats Music will carry on running independently after tomorrow's launch of Apple Music - at least for the time being. Beats Music customers can transfer their subscription to Apple Music, taking all their playlists with them.
