Replacement CR100?

Or, if you have more time and curiosity than $$, this looks pretty awesome:
http://blog.stef.be/sonobuttons

I like this approach.

But if the CR100 can become useless from one update to another how do I know these remote controls won't?

Also, if these remotes work. Why can't the CR100 keep on working? Perhaps with some reduced funcionality...

But if the CR100 can become useless from one update to another how do I know these remote controls won't?

Also, if these remotes work. Why can't the CR100 keep on working? Perhaps with some reduced funcionality...

You don't. In fact you should go forward assuming that any control option is subject to being discontinued at some point. That is why most replacement suggestions involve cheap "disposable" tablets that you won't mind replacing every couple of years.

OK, contingency time for me and in no way diminishing the poor decision from Sonos which I find unacceptable, so "without prejudice":

The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 3 (SM-G388F) and Xcover 4 (SM-G390F) are both mildly ruggedised Android handsets that have "hard" buttons for Home, Back and Apps (or whatever its called) navigation. They also have a user definable ""Xcover" button which can be programmed to start an app e.g. Sonos app. Of course this could also be achieved with NFC tags situated in convenient locations.

Would it be possible to write an app that overrides the hard navigation buttons and uses them for Play/Pause, Back and Next Track? This would approximate to the CR100s best features - simplicity, water resistance and robustness.

The handsets themselves are relatively inexpensive altough still £150 - £200, but have easily replaceable batteries (a concern for Sonos). There's no dock that I know of, but that's an easy plastics moulding job and I imagine Sonos could negotiate a dedicated "White" version with Samsung, including a dock for very little since the only change would be colour and software (so little development cost). Given that there would be no requirement even for the mobile element (3G, 4G etc), it could be further reduced in cost. This has happened with tablets as my trust Sony Xperia Tablet 3 Compact was available also in a cheaper non-cellular version with Wi-Fi only.

Just quick and dirty thoughts since I've been more focused on the other CR100 thread.

Oh, and last time I looked, original replacement batteries with built-in NFC loop were available for the Xcover 3 for £10 - £13 and can be replaced by someone ham fisted in about 10 seconds.

Another one to consider is the Vizio XR6M10 Smartcast Tablet Remote, you can pick them up on eBay fairly cheap

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/recommend-a-cr200-replacement-please-44291/index2.html#post16169161

https://www.vizio.com/en-ca/smartcast-tablet-remote

But if the CR100 can become useless from one update to another how do I know these remote controls won't?

Also, if these remotes work. Why can't the CR100 keep on working? Perhaps with some reduced funcionality...

You don't. In fact you should go forward assuming that any control option is subject to being discontinued at some point. That is why most replacement suggestions involve cheap "disposable" tablets that you won't mind replacing every couple of years.

That's too bad. If Sonos and others making similar proucts could come up with a proper protocol for remotes and their "normal" remote actions they would open up for a market of better designed remotes. Has there been such an initiative? Never heard of it.

It's probably not that hard. If you look at the musical instrument industry the vendors use a couple of protocols they have agreed upon and there is an immense amount of highly advanced hardware controls available nowdays. And most of them are not proprietary, instead they are open to control a lot of various softwares and hardwares. And the capabilites of these controllers are way more advanced than what's needed for stuff like Sonos.

Here's a small fraction of hardware controllers for musical equipment:
https://www.thomann.de/gb/daw_controllers.html

They all make money. Everyone is happy. All that's needed is a well designed protocol that everyone can use. It's not rocket science.

I have an old Surface RT set to instant-on, instant-app. Starts up faster than my CR100s. Video on how to set this up: https://www.facebook.com/Phonos.application/videos/1658688324141871/

One thing I really miss on the iOS Controller is that not even in "kiosk mode" (guidede access) I can make it wake up at pick up like the CR100 and CR200 can do. Of course it's not the end of the world but it's ano of those little details that I believe contribute to the love of the dedicated Sonos controllers.

Is wake up on pick up available in any way on Android Tablets?
I don't believe I can do the trick in any way with iOS at least.

I have an old Surface RT set to instant-on, instant-app. Starts up faster than my CR100s. Video on how to set this up: https://www.facebook.com/Phonos.application/videos/1658688324141871/
Thanks for this, My old surface 2 is now sitting in the spot downstairs where my CR100 used to be. Only real difference is magnetic power rather than lifting out of the cradle. I still need a solution for upstairs, which I think is a case of finding a cheap android tablet that can pin the app.