Roam - another catastrophic strategic mistake

They could and it is trivial. Many third party apps (eg mine) do this without issue. What 3rd party apps cannot do is cross-play between S1 and S2, because the players cannot do it, with good reason most likely.

Sonos chose to split the app into S1 and S2 versions for another reason: to have a common mobile codebase for the UX. (I can’t blame them for that, but they could have made it S1 compatible as well).

There is close to no difference at all in the Sonos apps for PC/Mac for S1 and S2, as it has the same UX code as it ever has, plus the desktop apps lack all the configuration stuff that needs updating for the S2-only devices. The only differences are the icon, the name, the version check on SSDP response, and that is probably about it.

Not really. The desktop apps cannot add new devices anyway, there really was no excuse to fork the desktop codebase for S1/S2, except to add user confusion to match the user confusion on the mobile apps.

Who said anything about the desktop app?  The desktop app is barely an afterthought at this point. 

True, but they made more work for themselves by creating two more versions to support, when they could have just left them alone.

Also to go back to the OPs question, I am sure the Roam will do very well. The fact it is S2 should not a surprise to anyone who has been on this forum for the last year, or who has read the annoying messages the Sonos app has been delivering to us all regularly. Seems like a cool device.

Sonos’ stellar record with supporting old hardware is almost unique in the industry, and I for one am very happy I can still use my ancient Play:5s with software that was last updated last month.

The word strategic gets bandied about a lot; the S1/S2 thing was strategic and it may still not be clear if that was a mistake for some time to come. The Roam is just a small tactical consequence, and mistake or not, it is too small to be catastrophic on its own.

I could ask this elsewhere, but may as well ask here. I am and will remain on S1, but suppose I was on S2 with a few zones, why would getting a Roam make sense to me instead of getting a speaker of similar other features with the sole exception of S2 integration, probably for a lower price from one of the many makes available?

There appear to be two main features that are appealing. First, it’s small and portable, so you can use it outside your home, a d second, it allows integration of a Bluetooth signal into the Sonos ecosystem, i.e. both Bluetooth and WiFi radios can be active simultaneously, and pass data. Something the Move appears not to do, likely do to hardware issues. 

But it’s up to your needs as to whether those items are worth adding to your system. In general, if you’re on S1, since the Roam can only work on S2, there is no value to that second feature. 

Bruce, assume I am on S2 for now. How does that bluetooth thing you refer to expand usability? Assume also that I am fine with BT sound quality.

For example it makes it possible to play music that’s stored on an iPhone to non Airplay2 capable Sonos speakers. I seem te remember quite a few people wanting this option....

As in: BT to Roam that is grouped with other Sonos speakers? And any other use of the Roam BT capability?

Which Sonos S2 compatible units don’t have Airplay 2?