Constant Updates REALLY ANNOYING

Honestly, this thread seems more like a place to blow hot air than anything else (which could be fine, I suppose) because plenty of advice has been offered, none of which seems to want to be followed.

It's taken on more the shape of a megaphone to simply broadcast to Sonos that they update too much, which (in effect) isn't really going to make a difference. But I believe the OP understands this, and still wants a place for their voice to be heard whether or not it actually leads to change.


Agreed. It's not uncommon, and not necessarily a bad thing to vent frustration. And there is some merit to the argument that 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease" so it's better to complain in hopes you'll get what you want (even in cases where it's not so logical) rather than just be frustrated in silence.

You can't blame folks for trying to offer solutions/work arounds to the issue, but that's not always what people are really looking for.

Turn on automatic updates for the firmware, schedule it for 'Overnight', ...
https://support.sonos.com/s/article/225?language=en

... also enable auto updates in the respective app store - that's it!
And what does he do with the many desktops he uses for system control?
It's not that hard to click "Update now" or whatever it is called in English.

Yes, it is, when "update now" appears on a couple of dozen machines, at various times, and the entire system is down for several minutes, followed by numerous speaker dropouts that require individual attention. If Sonos would simply organize their updates a little more intelligently, instead of rapid firing them off like kids playing paintball, the platform would make a lot more sense.

There is no need for updates ever couple of weeks. If it doesn't interfere with your workflow, you need to expand your horizons a bit and realize that not everyone works off of one device or machine. It changes nothing, however - the updates come too frequently and there is ZERO reason for it.

[...] Yes, it is, when "update now" appears on a couple of dozen machines, at various times, and the entire system is down for several minutes, followed by numerous speaker dropouts that require individual attention. If Sonos would simply organize their updates a little more intelligently, instead of rapid firing them off like kids playing paintball, the platform would make a lot more sense.
The system's not working in Bluetooth-style, the Sonos app is merely a remote control rather than a media player. Updating an App doesn't stop the playback, if the firmware of the speakers has already been updated.

[...] Yes, it is, when "update now" appears on a couple of dozen machines, at various times, and the entire system is down for several minutes, followed by numerous speaker dropouts that require individual attention. If Sonos would simply organize their updates a little more intelligently, instead of rapid firing them off like kids playing paintball, the platform would make a lot more sense.
The system's not working in Bluetooth-style, the Sonos app is merely a remote control rather than a media player. Updating an App doesn't stop the playback, if the firmware of the speakers has already been updated.

Well, be that as it may, since we've turned off automatic updates, the app will eventually lock out the user, forcing an update, which then necessitates everyone running around like lunatics to reconnect the few mystery speakers that lose connection during the update. Now, I'm fully aware that that is a network issue, not Sonos, but it does nothing to change the fact that if the updates weren't coming out so frequently, the issue would not be a problem.

I opened a desktop version today, that hadn't been used in a while, and was greeted with a "An update is available" message, which then harassed me into updating. Joy. Now it functions so much better than it did yesterday. Oh wait, no it doesn't.

we've turned off automatic updates, the app will eventually lock out the user, forcing an update

....So you turned it off in the application itself which turns off firmware updates.
Have you gone into your app store and turned off the automatic update to the actual app?

Yes, it is, when "update now" appears on a couple of dozen machines, at various times, and the entire system is down for several minutes, followed by numerous speaker dropouts that require individual attention. If Sonos would simply organize their updates a little more intelligently, instead of rapid firing them off like kids playing paintball, the platform would make a lot more sense.

There is no need for updates ever couple of weeks. If it doesn't interfere with your workflow, you need to expand your horizons a bit and realize that not everyone works off of one device or machine. It changes nothing, however - the updates come too frequently and there is ZERO reason for it.

I sympathize with how annoying this can be, however, continually claiming that the updates have no value really isn't adding to your argument. I get that your system is fine, you aren't interested in any new features and don't have any bugs to deal with. However, other customers do want these new features and their bugs fixed. Maybe they can wait a little longer, so that you don't get annoyed as often, and that's something that the Sonos team has to decide on. It is quite clear that they are aware that some find it annoying, which is why they introduce the automatic updates for the speaker firmware.

but Sonos doesn't offer support if your system isn't updated to the current version.
I am not surprised at this, but is this stated official policy?
If so, I have to again say there is much merit in the points being made by those unhappy with this trend because:
Automatic updates are not really so for desktop users.
And while everyone including Sonos suggest turning updates off if these are not to one's taste/convenience, there is this withdrawal of support.
And no one has yet said why there is such a churn of updates now compared to a few years ago for what is a music system, at the end of the day. Other than streaming services as a popular music source, what has changed? And the related question - apart from Trueplay and cosmetic UI changes - what has changed to improve the essential quality of the user experience since 2011? Bug fixes are needed by everyone, agreed, but many of the bugs are caused in the first place by all the churn as well.
Sonos needs to take this criticism on board and bring some discipline to its upgrade release process. Particularly when it is so dependent on network quality to be seamless and fault free.
PS: I just noticed the "like kids playing paintball" comment by pacificdiver. I endorse it fully.

Yes, it is, when "update now" appears on a couple of dozen machines, at various times, and the entire system is down for several minutes, followed by numerous speaker dropouts that require individual attention. If Sonos would simply organize their updates a little more intelligently, instead of rapid firing them off like kids playing paintball, the platform would make a lot more sense.

There is no need for updates ever couple of weeks. If it doesn't interfere with your workflow, you need to expand your horizons a bit and realize that not everyone works off of one device or machine. It changes nothing, however - the updates come too frequently and there is ZERO reason for it.

I sympathize with how annoying this can be, however, continually claiming that the updates have no value really isn't adding to your argument.

I've never claimed the updates have no value. My criticism is that the updates come far too frequently, and that they would be better served in larger portions, on a much less-frequent time scale. Obviously, systems need to be updated, but they don't need to be tweaked every couple of weeks. Sonos could update its system quarterly, and the world would move on just fine.

Sonos could update its system quarterly, and the world would move on just fine.
Yes, but it would need more process discipline in Sonos to do this.
While moderators here claim to read all posts, you may want to send an email to CEO Spence, with links to a bunch of threads here that contain the same gripe. No assurances of outcome of course, but a chance of spending energy to more effect.

I am not surprised at this, but is this stated official policy?
You're a long time member of these boards, so you should be aware of the answer already.


If so, I have to again say there is much merit in the points being made by those unhappy with this trend because:
Automatic updates are not really so for desktop users.
How many desktops do you have? 20, 30, 50...