Terrible User Interface

Are you one of the developers? If not, I'm not sure how you can definitively state that the issues "cannot be caused by the controller app." I've been through many successful SONOS updates, and this clearly hasn't been a successful one for many of us.

On the other hand, if you ARE a developer, please do the rest of us a HUGE favor and reverse the damage.

The app is just a controller. Blaming it for the things you have described is like blaming your TV remote because your TV isn't working properly. You can either try to work with Sonos Support to resolve the issues or not. I post on here to try to help and sometimes I do. I will now do as you clearly want and cease to do so in your case

If you are not one of the developers, then forgive me for responding in frustration to you. In my perusal of this forum, I've read of others who are experiencing my same issues since the update, which lead me to believe it absolutely could be update-related. Since I'm new to this forum (haven't had a need to utilize it prior to this version), does SONOS not have an active presence here themselves? It would seem prudent to keep close tabs on the end-user's experience after the roll-out of a major update. If they do not, I'll try to contact them directly tomorrow during business hours.

DWPx2 wrote:

If you are not one of the developers, then forgive me for responding in frustration to you. In my perusal of this forum, I've read of others who are experiencing my same issues since the update, which lead me to believe it absolutely could be update-related. Since I'm new to this forum (haven't had a need to utilize it prior to this version), does SONOS not have an active presence here themselves? It would seem prudent to keep close tabs on the end-user's experience after the roll-out of a major update. If they do not, I'll try to contact them directly tomorrow during business hours.

Sonos do have a presence on here, but this is a user forum. I can definitively say that some of your issues (I am not talking about the UI here) are not down to the app. I cannot say definitively that they are not caused by the update, which was not just a controller update. However, I also know that every time there is an update, there is a small rash of 'the update broke my system' posts, and this update is no different. It can be the case that an update, with its reboots of speakers, can end up with network problems such as IP address conflicts, in a small number of cases. Often this can be resolved by a complete reboot (power cycle) of router and networked devices, so that everything gets a new IP address.
I am not denying the reality of your issues, and they could be linked to the event of the update. But they are probably not the result of bugs in the software, and they can almost certainly be resolved if you work with Sonos Support.

The latest app update is horrible

i cant even turn it to my LINE IN source?? it used to be easy, now it is impossible.

seanho wrote:

i cant even turn it to my LINE IN source?? it used to be easy, now it is impossible.

Of course you can.

My two suggested changes:

1. Have a shortcut on the now playing screen to change music. Maybe just a magnifying glass icon to let me search right from there. I know I could do it with a swipe down and then 2 clicks. But then I feel like I left my place. I want to spin music like a home DJ right from now playing.

2. Combine the browse and search tabs. I get flustered when I have so many places to go to pick music. You could combine the two (you could even put My Sonos as a source, and combine all three) and make it feel more like music central.

Those two changes would result in a lot of peace for upset users.

Am I the only one who has this problem with the new Desktop Controller, it forgets browse position?
https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/mac-controller-sleep-controller-forgets-browse-position-6794348

jfranche wrote:

2. Combine the browse and search tabs. I get flustered when I have so many places to go to pick music. You could combine the two (you could even put My Sonos as a source, and combine all three) and make it feel more like music central. .

No thanks, I like them separate. That way they don't interfere with another -- I can search, browse and use My Sonos in parallel, and it's super quick to switch between them. This is a nice enhancement in the v8 app.

pwt wrote:

jfranche wrote:

2. Combine the browse and search tabs. I get flustered when I have so many places to go to pick music. You could combine the two (you could even put My Sonos as a source, and combine all three) and make it feel more like music central. .

No thanks, I like them separate. That way they don't interfere with another -- I can search, browse and use My Sonos in parallel, and it's super quick to switch between them. This is a nice enhancement in the v8 app.

Agree better separate. They are completely different ways to choose music. Also, it might be physically possible to accommodate this on a tablet screen, but I can't see it being feasible on a phone. And it looks to me that Sonos' intention is to have just one mobile app.

John B wrote:

DWPx2 wrote:

I agree. The new release is very counter intuitive. I am constantly frustrated.

I respect everyone's right to their opinion of the app. I know many are genuinely struggling. But I have given up trying to understand what is counterintuitive about 'select a room, select music to go in it', when the buttons for doing all that are in one place, on the tab bar. Having asked that question a few times, I am yet to get a convincing answer. I will link this document for the last time in an attempt to help, but I don't suppose it will.
Good luck all
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mI9AOixsZpxDrxVnsnzYQbPZ23bSV-EG

A 3.5 page guide to accomplish what used to be intuitive and needed no guide at all.:D:D:D
Thanks for proving that all of us who hate 8.00 are correct.

Diceman wrote:

John B wrote:

DWPx2 wrote:

I agree. The new release is very counter intuitive. I am constantly frustrated.

I respect everyone's right to their opinion of the app. I know many are genuinely struggling. But I have given up trying to understand what is counterintuitive about 'select a room, select music to go in it', when the buttons for doing all that are in one place, on the tab bar. Having asked that question a few times, I am yet to get a convincing answer. I will link this document for the last time in an attempt to help, but I don't suppose it will.
Good luck all
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mI9AOixsZpxDrxVnsnzYQbPZ23bSV-EG

A 3.5 page guide to accomplish what used to be intuitive and needed no guide at all.:D:D:D
Thanks for proving that all of us who hate 8.00 are correct.

Mostly pictures to help those who struggle with words.

Diceman wrote:

A 3.5 page guide to accomplish what used to be intuitive and needed no guide at all.:D:D:D
Thanks for proving that all of us who hate 8.00 are correct.

Yeah and the same claims about 4.3 being "intuitive" and 5.0 needing a written guide were stated last time the UI changed. Now 5.0 is magically intuitive and 8.0 is the one that needs the guide.

And there is no more chance of Sonos going back now than there was then. I have asked repeatedly what is unintuitive about 'select a room, select music for that room, and access all that from buttons in one place'. No convincing answer yet. It is simple, logical, and as intuitive or otherwise as the previous version.

Totally agree. New interface is awful. Why fix what wasn't broken! It is now so confusing, impossible to figure out what room is playing what now. How to edits the rooms, etc. Bring back the old app!

John B wrote:

And there is no more chance of Sonos going back now than there was then. I have asked repeatedly what is unintuitive about 'select a room, select music for that room, and access all that from buttons in one place'. No convincing answer yet. It is simple, logical, and as intuitive or otherwise as the previous version.

Give it up John! A convincing answer will never come. Classic symptom of pure aversion to change. I will proceed to enjoy my music and suggest you do too. Happy to read sensible feedback but the sky is falling reactions I have got no more time for. Pretending not to understand how to do something because you preferred another method is ridiculous.

All of a sudden guys with years of familiarity with Sonos can’t get Music playing in any room. Give me a break.

They probably have a meltdown with every new version of Microsoft office. 😃

You are right of course, and I shall take your advice. I shall get back to my Sonos and enjoying my music, and leave those unwilling to adapt to an app that is simple to use to do as they wish. Rant on here, sell their systems, whatever. More fool them if they do, but Not My Problem.

BurtBushell wrote:

They probably have a meltdown with every new version of Microsoft office. :D

Very true. Can you imagine the reaction to Office 2007 and the introduction of the ribbon in Excel and Word? Actually I seem to remember complaining myself that it had given me no new functionality but I couldn't find anything. I may even have said it was counterintuitive 🙂

John B wrote:

I shall get back to my Sonos and enjoying my music, and leave those unwilling to adapt to an app that is simple to use to do as they wish.

Yeah right you and the other apostles have a religious like zeal to convert the unbelievers of 8.0. You can't seem to not rebut those who you think " don't get it" no matter how much you fan the flames.

12 replies, already knows the history of the product and forum, already calling people names. I smell stinky socks. Logan, is that ypu?

Seems more steps to oprate than before. I cant seem to shut down a zone and move to another zone without first grouping the 2 zones and then removing the zone I am leaving from the group. Our house has 18 zones and 5 users 8-45yrs old who all wish we hadnt “upgraded” to v8. And what is with needing an acct to add a new device?

I’m going to get rid of All my $3k plus worth of Sonos if they do not update this user interface by end of December! It is HORRIBLE! can’t group/ungroup easily. Hard to decipher which rooms r playing music easily. Totally confusing and crowded UI. Can’t choose music before choosing room. Just sucks. I used to rave about Sonos. Now my wife hates it. She thought it was so easy before. That is why I got it. Just Terrible, Terrible. I hope u r listening Sonos!