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Frank_YYZ
Contributor I
September 8, 2016
Question

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

  • 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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      56 replies

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      ronframe
      Lyricist II
      September 10, 2016
      This is very disappointing
        chicks
        chicks
        September 11, 2016
        Amazon is adding Alexa to their $50 tablet, which means a full, up to date, Sonos app remote, with voice control, will cost less than any iPod ever did. Apple's planned obsolescence model is the problem here, not Sonos.
        jdag
        Prodigy III
        September 11, 2016
        Is this about the iPod Touch 4th generation, launched in September 2010, the one that can only run iOS6 (4 generations old as of next week's iOS10 launch). In all seriousness, how can the fact that a September 2016 release of Sonos software that doesn't run on such a device cause any sort of concern? There are literally thousands upon thousands of apps that won't run on that device.
        ronframe
        Lyricist II
        September 11, 2016
        Can I just ignore the upgrade and continue to use me 4th generation iPod controller? Or we'll SONOS force me to eventually upgrade?
          The LHC
          September 11, 2016
          You can ignore until you try to add a new Sonos device. At that point the new device will download the latest version and force all the other Sonos devices to do the same.
            pako
            Lyricist II
            September 24, 2016
            WOW!!!! Sonos shame on YOU!!!!!! After all the $$$$ I spent. but
            DO I really need to buy a new IPOD? really ? That is the only solution? any reply would be great?
              jdag
              Prodigy III
              September 24, 2016
              These complaints make absolutely no sense. The iPod Touch 4th generation was launched September 2010 and only supports up to iOS6. Apple's current version is iOS10. I don't care when it was last sold, which I believe was 2013, 3 years ago, it only supports an operating system that is 4 releases old.

              Any complaints about that device not running the Sonos app clearly should be directed toward Apple.
              chicks
              chicks
              September 24, 2016
              WOW!!!! Sonos shame on YOU!!!!!! After all the $$$$ I spent. but
              DO I really need to buy a new IPOD? really ? That is the only solution? any reply would be great?

              Read the thread, for crying out loud! Apple is to blame here, not Sonos! Free yourself from Apple's planned obsolescence model by moving to Android devices, or continue to buy new Apple devices every 3-4 years. The rational choice should be obvious...
                pako
                Lyricist II
                September 24, 2016
                With all your respect. We " The customers" do not have to deal with it. We "THE CUSTUMERS" have the $$$$ to spend and buy your products.
                The system was working fine till a recently SONOS update and we had no choice not to do it. Take it all leave it. Ja ja buy a new ipod.
                You The" BIG" guys SONOS and APPLE has to deal with it and not us. When I went to the store to buy SONOS big $$$ no one says " be aware Apple and SONOS have issues. You may have to buy a new device every time SONOS software update. Please give me a break.!!! If I knew I wont buy SONOS.Even Sonos website is misleading after the facts.
                We should be able to keep the SONOS old version
                  jdag
                  Prodigy III
                  September 24, 2016
                  Sorry, but your expectations of how long Vendor A needs to support Vendor B's products is really unrealistic. We are talking about a 6 year old device which has not been supported by the manufacturer itself for 4 years. 4 years!
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