App feedback 8.2

Ah - an update! Maybe Sonos have listened to the howls of criticism and at the very least got rid of the awful searchlight white theme…

Nope. The only obvious visual feature is at the top of the (too bright) now playing screen, which hints at something behind it and moves the drop-down button to the centre.

One thing’s for sure - until they sort the ruined app out I’m not buying any more hardware. Come on Sonos, listen to your followers and take your collective head out of your arse.

I was also hoping that this update would show that Sonos had at last listened to the vast majority of users who hate the new interface and bright white background - but it now seems clear that they have no intention of fixing these problems. I'm holding off any further purchases - I was going to get two Play 5's but am seriously considering ditching all my Sonos gear.

I was hoping the 8.2 update would address the awful user interface, but nope, it's just as bad if not worse. At this point the app is absolutely worthless unless you just want to get frustrated.

Some people really need to learn about software development cycles. :8

I can see both sides. Absolutely agree that if you don't know how software gets developed, then don't assume changes can be made easily and quickly. On the other hand, the control interface is important to a lot of people, and the frustration is understandable. I like old interface better, but I don't fully hate this one either.

I also get why people want acknowledgement that they'd been heard and dates when things will change. I respect Sonos stance on this, as the principle serves them well most of the time.

Some people really need to learn about software development cycles. :8

You're right, in that most people don't know about software development cycles. But should they have to?? Most people don't understand avionics either -- they just expect them to work.

Andrew

I can see both sides. Absolutely agree that if you don't know how software gets developed, then don't assume changes can be made easily and quickly. On the other hand, the control interface is important to a lot of people, and the frustration is understandable. I like old interface better, but I don't fully hate this one either.

I also get why people want acknowledgement that they'd been heard and dates when things will change. I respect Sonos stance on this, as the principle serves them well most of the time.

I like the Amazon approach to software updates. A few weeks ago they released their new line of Echo speakers and many people complained they not only didn't sound better than the original model but actually were not as good. Instead of trying to justify what they had delivered they got busy and had a firmware fix rolled out within a couple of weeks. Regardless if it is reasonable or not this is setting a standard for the kind of response customers will expect to see when they complain to companies about a bad product user experience that can be fixed through software/firmware.

Some people really need to learn about software development cycles. :8

Wow. More condescending remarks from the person that thinks Sonos can do no wrong, and will defend every single horrible decision they make. 😃

Some people really need to learn about software development cycles. :8

You're right, in that most people don't know about software development cycles. But should they have to?? Most people don't understand avionics either -- they just expect them to work.

Andrew

They don't expect avionics to work before they are fully designed, implemented, unit tested, QA tested, Alpha/Beta released, and then finally installed on planes used by the public, do they?

Changes are coming. Some were already released, some are set for release soon, others for later. Those are the facts, and complaining about them does nothing to speed that up. Instead, why not give some rational and well thought out commentary on what you like and do not like about the new interface so they can get your requests into software development cycle for future release?

I shouldn't need to know anything about software development cycles as I am the consumer and I am complaining that the software product they have released is awful. The new app is horrid and confusing and makes the whole Sonos experience a true battle to find anything. It used to be a well designed app, now you cant find anything without going two screens deep. I haven't heard that any changes are coming, I have an open ticket with them and they have not asked me what I don't like nor told me that they are working on it. If you want some commentary on what's wrong, look at the user forum it's filled full of unhappy persons complaining about the new release and wanting the old one back. If you can't roll it back then make it work like the old one did and put an advanced button on there with the new interface. This isn't a case of a couple buttons got rearranged, this is more like the whole user interface was redesigned with no regard to how people use the app.