Google blames Sonos for device activation errors, Sonos claps back

Google and Sonos are at it yet again, with Google blaming Sonos for a “small number” of good-residence activation errors endured by Pixel customers, though Sonos shot back again that the hiccups are a “direct result” of Google’s alleged IP infractions in opposition to the wireless speaker maker.

In a help be aware initially spotted by 9to5Google, an unnamed Google group supervisor wrote that a “small number” of people seeking to set up “devices” with their Pixel phones may be “unable to do so” because of to “an interruption by Sonos.”

The Google local community supervisor included that users may well get a “Device requirements to be activated in advance of setup” error when hoping to configure “a device that has not been linked to Wifi for some time (or at any time).”

Seems like a quite regimen assist concern, but in a statement to TechHive, Google also took a swipe at Sonos, accusing the wi-fi speaker maker of “[using] the legal system in a way that intentionally makes difficulties for individuals consumers.”

The statement is clearly referring to Sonos’s the latest legal victory around Google, in which a U.S. trade commission dominated that Google had violated 5 Sonos patents relating to networked and synchronized household speakers.

Google additional that “if necessary,” it will supply “replacement devices” or keep credit rating to customers getting hassle activating their units.

Here is Google’s entire assertion:

This choice briefly impacts a modest variety of Pixel people who set up a speaker or screen for the very first time with the Product Utility App. We will work with them to lessen disruption. Our assist groups are on hand to correct any problems they have and if essential, we will ship replacement units or offer you a Google retail outlet credit rating. Over the several years, we have labored challenging to make positive that our shared buyers would have a constructive practical experience and are let down that Sonos continues to use the legal technique in a way that deliberately generates issues for these users.

Achieved for remark by TechHive, a Sonos rep returned fire, calling the Pixel issue “the direct result” of Google’s steps.

In this article is the total Sonos assertion:

Google’s Pixel disruption is the immediate consequence of its selection to infringe Sonos’ patents rather than license them, as the Global Trade Commission dominated. It is totally Google’s final decision to inflict even further hurt to its consumers instead than behave responsibly, and it is the top of conceitedness to attempt to blame the company whose innovations it is misappropriating.

Following the January 2022 trade court docket ruling ruling, Google abruptly pulled some important options from its Nest speakers, which include the potential to alter the volume of Google speaker teams utilizing the Google Residence application, Google Assistant voice instructions, or on a Nest Hub display.

Shortly right after the U.S. trade fee ruling, Sonos Chief Legal Officer Eddie Lazarus informed TechHive that Google may well “degrade or reduce product or service options in a way that circumvents the importation ban that the ITC has imposed,” adding that Google “can—as other providers have previously done—pay a good royalty for the technologies it has misappropriated.”

Heading back to the machine activation challenge, the Google assistance take note advises Google Television set and Android Tv people to “use the set up flow on your Tv to activate your product,” though all those “outside the US or Canada” can activate their gadgets working with Google’s Gadget Utility application. But buyers in the U.S. and Canada will have to get in touch with client help, the post suggests.

As 9to5Google speculates, the Pixel activation challenge with seldom or never ever linked intelligent products could stem from the simple fact that they are saddled with previous firmware.

Current soon following publication with a remark from Google.