Contributor I

Question

SONOS V6.4 update kills all iPod 4th generation controllers

Forum|Forum|10 years ago
September 8, 2016
56 replies
6451 views

I've been a SONOS user for any years and have 10 zones, including a subwoofer and L/R pairs. Like others, I was a bit underwhelmed by the new functionality included in update 6.4. It certainly wasn't worth the price I've been forced to pay.

I have three 4th generation iPods that I bought as dedicated SONOS controllers. They are running ios 6.1.6, which is the latest version available. I'm pretty peeved that these controllers no longer work as SONOS controllers once I updated my system to 6.4.

SONOS should design their updates so that they don't shaft their existing users. I can understand that code will inevitably grow beyond the capability of older devices. But, I would be perfectly happy to have controller features frozen for older devices. I'd be content if I wasn't able to access all of the management functions from an older controller. But to have several perfectly good devices suddenly become totally unusable is an outrage.

There are two versions of the SONOS App available in the App Store. The current one requires ios 7, but even the older one doesn't work anymore.

I trust that SONOS will fix this and restore the lost functionality.

I notice that there are few 3rd party paid controller Apps available. SonoPhone is the only one I found that will work with ios 6.1. Are there any others? Do any users out there have any experience with this App? Will it even work with with SONOS 6.4?

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Paulw123

Virtuoso

YOU MUST READ THE RELEASE NOTES FIRST
Maybe there should be a sonos splash screen with this, and you have to accept, before you can do an update.
The email you got telling you about 6.4 was quite clear.
https://sonos.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/127
I too have lost my 2x ipod 4th gens, but during beta I asked the question, and was told they would no longer work.
You cannot undo an update, but sonos can if you ask support nicely as they have access to old versions.
To be fair to sonos, chromecast never worked on 6.4.
Luckily I can use the wife's old iphone5 as a dedicated controller.
You would be better off with android controllers as 10yr old ones still work, maybe an amazon fire tablet or similar.

jgatie

There's only one reason why Android phones/tablets have over double the life of iOS units when used with Sonos, even through they support 95% of the same features, and it has nothing to do with Sonos "killing" iOS controllers. It has to do with Apple's planned obsolescence sales model.

Since it seems the OP purchased the iPods as dedicated Sonos controllers, I would suggest a $50 Amazon Fire tablet would be a good substitute. They are bigger, have double the life as a controller than the iPods, you can "pin" the Sonos app to the screen so it can only be used for Sonos, and at $50, who cares when it finally dies or is made obsolete?

Stuart_W

World-Class Superstar

Also

Do you seriously think Sonos don't try, until their butts fall off, to keep old operating systems working fully as long as they possibly can? Even whilst, as jgatie points out, some of the hardware manufacturers are doing their darndest to obsolete their products as fast as possible?

Sonos know every time they make a change that affects which PCs, Macs or iOS devices or Others will become useless as full controllers that they will get a torrent of complaints.

But they do have to improve their products which they are continually working to do.

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

Paulw123

Virtuoso

Is it only ipod 4th gens affected, or there other apple products stuck on iOS6?
Could sonos provide an even lower level of functionality than partial controller, "just alive controller" ;O) volume, play, pause etc?

What will be the next apple product to bite the dust, stuck on iOS7?

nicka99

Local Superstar

you can see if any 3rd party controllers work like Sonophone or Zoneplay. According to Sonophone its compatible with IOS 6.1 or later. You may have to shell out a couple of $/£/€

F

Frank_YYZAuthor

Contributor I

I'm surprised at the number of people who think that it's unavoidable that SONOS had to deep six older IOS controllers. I just spent the big bucks ($3.99 US) and downloaded Sonophone. It works well, although it has a few quirks that I'd like to see resolved before I could wholeheartedly recommend it. It doesn't have all of the full management functions of a full SONOS controller but it seems to have about the same functionality as the pared down versions SONOS is offering on even newer versions of ios.

So how can a guy working by himself in Germany manage to figure out how to create (from scratch) a SONOS controller App that works with rev 6.4 under ios 6.1 while a big company like SONOS can't keep theirs functioning?

That being said, I agree with the comments about Apple's planned obsolescence. The three iPods I bought were my one and only foray into the ecosystem of the evil empire. But you have to remember that, when we early adopters started using SONOS, there WAS NO ANDROID APP available. So it was either buy an Apple device or run to your PC every time you wanted to play music or change your volume.

I wasn't taken by surprise when 6.4 killed my iPods. (I read the release notes beforehand). But I was disappointed since other apps have shown that it wasn't necessary.

Chris

Lead Maestro

There are multiple third party Sonos controllers that will continue to work if you have a device that you have to use. They utilitze uPNP commands that aren't dependent on the operating system.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

Chris

Lead Maestro

Sonophone uses uPNP commands.

You've had users complaining (I could use many more harsh words here) for Lock Control on ios devices like FOREVER. Especially after Android controllers got lock controls. Apple of course locks down their operating system so much that it makes it impossible for sonos to implement features in a controller until an operating system from apple allows it. So to get more features - they have to forcable move on to apples newer ios to get it.

Its and apple issue.

But - the solutions aren't difficult. Use a less featured controller such as Sonophone (which isn't so ios dependent) or get a cheap android (which is much more open system and less prone to being obsoleted).

Apple wants your money - Sonos never made a penny making your iPhone obsolete.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

Paulw123

Virtuoso

Don't you think that frank has a point though, if a German guy can do it from his bedroom, so could sonos. There needs to be money it for them, so sell it from the apple store. SONOS for iOS6 controllers only @£5 then everybody is happy.. well maybe not, "you want £5 to give me functionality I already have" etc.......
Guess they think there is no money in it, so let it die, move on.

How many development guys does sonos employ I wonder, seems like a cupboard with a dusty phone ;O))

Chris

Lead Maestro

Totally different controller type using upon controls. 3rd parties created why does Sonos need to devote any resources to a light version.

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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