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Contributor I
Oct 20, 2017 5:29 AM UTC

Feedback on new app

I would like to issue my feedback:

Oh my gosh the new app, sonos website + forum are very complex!

I could easily list a number of fundamental user interface rules that are broken, and many interfaces that are just so complex that it beggars belief.

Many folks that I know personally who have purchased on my sonos recommendation are similarly expressing their frustrations with such a massive UI change, to make matters worse, without warning.

Michael Lee - 20 years software development professional.
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74 replies

Enthusiast II
Nov 25, 2017 6:00 PM UTC
John B - we know you like the app. Stop chiming in all the time to tell us. Let people have their say on this as there seem to be a lot of people who do not like the recent change.
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Lyricist I
Nov 25, 2017 6:15 PM UTC
I'll add my vote to how disappointing the current (IOS) app is. The old version was so good I always felt it could be extended to be a music library manager beyond Sonos. Now - as people say, it's no longer intuitive, too many clicks to do something simple like adding rooms. And now all Sonos Playlists seem to have been moved into My Sonos, rather than as a separate library. This means that the specific favourite ones are now no longer quickly availing in My Sonos. Each update seems to be a step backward. Please - the controller is a key part of the system. It used to be great - now it's a barrier.
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Nov 25, 2017 6:22 PM UTC
I was careful to state it was just an opinion. The post I was responding to was a response to my post offering two simple principles that make the use of this app, right now, fairly straightforward. If you look back at that post, I describe one feature of the new app as useless.

I have never claimed the new app was better than before. I have criticised many aspects. But the fact remains that if you use the tab bsr and avoid the quick group thing, life becomes easier. And I will continue to point that out. You are free to disagree.

Providing useful information is not trolling. I am not seeking to provoke but help. I don't give a $@!! what you think of me.
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Nov 25, 2017 6:27 PM UTC
I'll add my vote to how disappointing the current (IOS) app is. The old version was so good I always felt it could be extended to be a music library manager beyond Sonos. Now - as people say, it's no longer intuitive, too many clicks to do something simple like adding rooms. And now all Sonos Playlists seem to have been moved into My Sonos, rather than as a separate library. This means that the specific favourite ones are now no longer quickly availing in My Sonos. Each update seems to be a step backward. Please - the controller is a key part of the system. It used to be great - now it's a barrier.Agree totally about the Playlists, which were actually wrecked between 8.1 and 8.2. Sonos Playlists should be a source under Browse, with just favourite ones in My Sonos.
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Renowned Enthusiast I
Nov 26, 2017 10:01 AM UTC
Providing useful information is not trolling. I am not seeking to provoke but help. I don't give a $@!! what you think of me.
Providing useful information is indeed not trolling. Pretending the new app is easy, quick and logical however - despite this forum being a clear testament to the contrary, for over a month now - definitely is.
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Lyricist I
Nov 26, 2017 10:23 AM UTC
Totally agree the new interface is appallingly inintuitive. Then to voice y concerns I have to create an account and then I have to spend 5 minutes trying to work out how to reply. Maybe a big colored button with reply here. Who ever is responsible for UI in Sonos is harming the product
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Nov 26, 2017 10:35 AM UTC
Providing useful information is not trolling. I am not seeking to provoke but help. I don't give a $@!! what you think of me.
Providing useful information is indeed not trolling. Pretending the new app is easy, quick and logical however - despite this forum being a clear testament to the contrary, for over a month now - definitely is.
It is rather a shame that you should resort to a public accusation of dishonesty, but I am completely indifferent to your opinion of me. I do find it quick, easy and logical. I also found the previous app quick, easy and logical. I know that there are at least a few hundred Sonos users who do not find the new app to be so.

I am not arguing, and never have, that this was a good change by Sonos, or that the new app is better than the old. I respect everyone's right to think it a step backwards, too bright, less easy to use...whatever. But anyone finding it impossible to select a room and get the music of their choice playing in it is missing a trick, because that IS easy.

Right now, the only Sonos app we have to work with is 8.2. My only aim now is to help people to see that it isn't impossible or even difficult, even though they may legitimately think it less easy than before, or a step backwards, or a pointless change.

So I will continue to try and help those who are finding it impossible, to find it possible, and start enjoying their Sonos systems again until such time as any changes to the app are made.

And one of the key bits of advice remains to avoid the 'quick group' thing, which is at best useless and at worst the cause of confusion and frustration and should be scrapped. I am not trying to defend Sonos or the app, but to help individuals to avoid a couple of pitfalls that undoubtedly exist, and use the app in the best way possible..
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Stuart_W
World-Class Superstar
Nov 26, 2017 11:50 AM UTC
Providing useful information is not trolling. I am not seeking to provoke but help. I don't give a $@!! what you think of me.
Providing useful information is indeed not trolling. Pretending the new app is easy, quick and logical however - despite this forum being a clear testament to the contrary, for over a month now - definitely is.


I also really like the new controller for iOS. I think it has some major issues but it's a great start.

Too bright for sure. That needs addressing. Menu items disappear when now playing screen shows. I don't use Playlists so can't/won't comment on them.
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Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2
Renowned Enthusiast I
Nov 26, 2017 12:31 PM UTC
I think it has some major issues but it's a great start.
How can you call this a great start? Sonos is not some right out of the gates startup, and neither is this some early release new app.

We are discussing version 8 of an app that already was quite mature and which got changed for the worse without a sound reason to do so. At best it's change for the sake of change, but more likely this is the result of mindlessly copying another app (e.g apple music).
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pwt
Virtuoso
Nov 26, 2017 1:21 PM UTC
Providing useful information is not trolling. I am not seeking to provoke but help. I don't give a $@!! what you think of me.
Providing useful information is indeed not trolling. Pretending the new app is easy, quick and logical however - despite this forum being a clear testament to the contrary, for over a month now - definitely is.


Who appointed you as some kind of moderator over whose opinions are right, and whose are wrong?

There are millions of Sonos users. Those who are happy with the new app won’t feel the need to post on this forum to say so.
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4 x P:5 | Sub | 4 x P:1 | 3 x Connect | 2 x Boost | Connect:Amp | 2 x One | Amp | Move | Port | Era 300