Enthusiast I

Horrible UI - Still

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
August 5, 2022
66 replies
1907 views

I’ve been using Sonos for 16 years (one of their first users.) I’ve purchased close to 50 Sonos devices.

I’ve been complaining about the UI for 15 years. It’s horrible. Performing simple actions like opening the equalizer requires 5 minutes of discovery every time you want to use it.

Why don’t the navigation icons at the bottom of the app have labels.

Why does the screen for selecting rooms/devices have the title “System”. Why is the icon in the navigation bar for this function totally unrelated to the function. Why is the setting for Alarms on the screen for selecting rooms.

Why are there three separate icons (search, favorites and browse) in the NavBar for selecting Music.

Why are the playback controls hidden in the collapsed now playing screen.

Setting up a new AMP…...What kind of imbecile would require a user to input a code into the app when installing a new device that’s written in illegible characters (requires a magnifying glass) on the back of the device, and only let the user know that it’s needed after the unit has already been installed at the back of a rack, under a sofa, or on the bottom shelf of a bookshelf.

“How do you want to use Amp” - It’s not “as stereo speakers” ….. it’s “with stereo speakers.” AMP is an amp. It’s not a speaker (or speakers.)

In addition, to being a Sonos user, I work as a product manager. It makes me want to puke every time I use the Sonos app.

This has to be the worst UI I’ve ever seen on an app for a well established Comapany

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Ken_Griffiths

Yes I like the iPad version too .. here’s the current S2 App:

My Sonos Tab:

Sonos Radio from the Browse Tab:

Now Playing Screen:

I think the look is similar, but seems slightly richer in its presentation, with things separated out on the different tabs. I like the ‘Dark Mode’ option too.

D

dtohmatsuAuthor

Enthusiast I

After you have done something 10 times, you remember, its second nature.

That’s exactly what’s wrong with Sonos. You should never, ever have to do something 10 times to remember how it works.

G

Gert_4

Prominent Collaborator I

Yes I like the iPad version too .. here’s the current S2 App:

My Sonos Tab:

Sonos Radio from the Browse Tab:

Now Playing Screen:

I think the look is similar, but seems slightly richer in its presentation, with things separated out on the different tabs. I like the ‘Dark Mode’ option too.

And this is my, “My Sonos” page, I don't think it will win any prize in an app design competition.With the S2 app, it is also not clear, for a new user, how to switch between the different sources, it was much more clear when you had listed all the options on the left side off the screen.

ratty

Have you never encountered a UI where you scroll side-to-side (carousel) as well as up-and-down?

C

craigski

Local Superstar

After you have done something 10 times, you remember, its second nature.

You should never, ever have to do something 10 times to remember how it works.

Maybe some people may struggle with simple tasks, and have to repeat the task many more times before something ‘clicks’ and they then understand how intuitive it is.

Others may get it a lot sooner, as its similar to something they have done before.

A few may never get it.

The 10 times was a generalisation.

G

Gert_4

Prominent Collaborator I

Have you never encountered a UI where you scroll side-to-side (carousel) as well as up-and-down?

You are misunderstanding my post, I am talking about ease of use, good design and clarity.And that's not there when you have to do a lot off scrolling around with a screen with big icons an small icons etc. to find what you want to do.I can easily find my way around the app, but I definitely believe that it can be improved so that it appears more clear for new users.

controlav

Lead Maestro

Has the OP even shared what kind of device they are running the controller on? Or S1 or S2?

Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.

D

dtohmatsuAuthor

Enthusiast I

Maybe some people may struggle with simple tasks, and have to repeat the task many more times before something ‘clicks’ and they then understand how intuitive it is.

Others may get it a lot sooner, as its similar to something they have done before.

A few may never get it.

Intuitive just means familiar. The goal in design is to use familiar elements so users know how to use them without any learning or discovery. Worst case, after a single use, the user should instinctively remember and be able to use them with zero cognitive overhead. For a big company like Sonos that has been around for a long time and has plenty of resources, anything less is a design fail.

D

dtohmatsuAuthor

Enthusiast I

Has the OP even shared what kind of device they are running the controller on? Or S1 or S2?

Primarily S2 on an iPhone, but I started with the CR100 and then CR200. In between I’ve used virtually every release on every device.

D

dtohmatsuAuthor

Enthusiast I

Have you never encountered a UI where you scroll side-to-side (carousel) as well as up-and-down?

You are misunderstanding my post, I am talking about ease of use, good design and clarity.And that's not there when you have to do a lot off scrolling around with a screen with big icons an small icons etc. to find what you want to do.I can easily find my way around the app, but I definitely believe that it can be improved so that it appears more clear for new users.

Precisely. I always tell me designers that anytime a user has to scroll that it’s a design failure.

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