Google copied Sonos’ multi-zone speaker technology, US import regulator rules

The US International Trade Commission has ruled that Google is in violation of five Sonos patents relating to smart speakers (via The New York Times). The decision affirms a judge’s ruling in August, and it’s the kind of decision that could theoretically force Google to stop importing products using the infringing technology.

However, it’s not yet clear whether any specific Google products will necessarily disappear from shelves, and for now it seems unlikely that will happen at all. “We do not expect any impact to our ability to import or sell our products,” Google spokesperson José Castaneda tells The Verge, pointing to how the International Trade Commission already approved Google workarounds for each of the five patents, as Bloomberg initially reported in September.

We confirmed in the ITC’s order today that it specifically carves out exceptions for five different redesigns to Google’s products — one for each patent — and Castaneda says Google’s customers will not “experience any disruption” as a result of the ITC’s decision, with the company having “60 days to implement changes before a ban goes in place.”

Android 12 removed, then mostly brought back the ability to control a Chromecast’s volume

One of Google’s workarounds already appears to be live, and more are on the way. 9to5Google reported in November that Android 12 removed the ability to control Chromecast’s volume, with someone believed to be a Google employee citing a…

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