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Keith N
Keith N
Sonos Staff
May 11, 2024

The New Sonos App and Future Feature Updates

Hey all, today we're sharing a message from our chief innovation officer, Nick Millington in the announcement here. Going forwards we will update that topic and we therefore close this one for further replies.

 

 

We set out to create a more personalized and effortless listening experience with the updated Sonos app. It was rebuilt from the ground up to ensure it could support future innovation in the years to come. For its initial rollout, we focused on how we could answer some of the most common requests from our customers, including increased reliability, performance, and faster access to music.


Many of you have shared valuable feedback on both the improvements that have made your experience better, as well as the areas where we fell short. We are listening to all of your comments and working to address them as quickly as possible. Over the coming weeks, we will reintroduce the below features, while fixing bugs and performance issues. Thank you for your engagement and we look forward to building upon this first step to create a listening experience that meets everyone’s needs.
 

 

Available now

 

To access these changes, check for updates in the iOS / Android app store to download the latest version of the Sonos app. Make sure your Sonos products are also up to date.


Last updated: Oct 28, 2024. See release notes.

The update has the following version numbers:

 

80.11.38 - iOS
80.11.32 - Android

 

In this update:

 

  • Support for the all-new Arc Ultra soundbar and Sub 4
  • Music library improvements*
  • Improvements to product setup
  • Improved performance when browsing content in Home and in Browse on Android
  • Improvements to multi-system support on iOS
  • Fixes for multiple settings including Bluetooth display, EQ, and Sub bonding on iOS
  • The ability to schedule System Updates on iOS
  • Continued Voiceover improvements on iOS

 

* Requires player update - 81.1-58074 (or higher)

 

 

You can also follow along with updates in this article: 

 

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

    2256 replies

    Show previous replies
    Ian_S
    Prodigy III
    August 7, 2024

    The ‘new’ group volume control is a regression in function. I’m sure it used to work whereby if you pressed the speaker icon it would mute the whole group, and if you dragged the volume slider it would increase/decrease the volume across the group by the same amounts relative to their individual current volume. If you wanted to control just one speakers volume in a group, you tapped the volume line instead… 

    Now even if you tap the speaker icon to mute the group, it brings up the group volume screen having muted all speakers, so you have to swipe down again or wait a few seconds for it to disappear. Likewise to adjust volume, it always brings up the detail screen… where you can access the master volume slider… 

    It’s almost like the dev team are re-discovering what used to be there before and slowly coming to the same conclusions that were made years ago… Have Sonos outsourced their app development to a new company and let go the people that knew how it all worked? 

    Rhonny
    Prodigy III
    August 7, 2024

    The ‘new’ group volume control is a regression in function. I’m sure it used to work whereby if you pressed the speaker icon it would mute the whole group, and if you dragged the volume slider it would increase/decrease the volume across the group by the same amounts relative to their individual current volume. If you wanted to control just one speakers volume in a group, you tapped the volume line instead… 

    Now even if you tap the speaker icon to mute the group, it brings up the group volume screen having muted all speakers, so you have to swipe down again or wait a few seconds for it to disappear. Likewise to adjust volume, it always brings up the detail screen… where you can access the master volume slider… 

    It’s almost like the dev team are re-discovering what used to be there before and slowly coming to the same conclusions that were made years ago… Have Sonos outsourced their app development to a new company and let go the people that knew how it all worked? 

    Here’s a video showing how it worked last year in the old S2 app. It looks the same to me as it works now? Unless I’m missing something? 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDeCR4f8y3c

      Ken_Griffiths
      Ken_Griffiths
      August 7, 2024

       

      Thanks @sigh I bow to your expertise of these things, but is there anything you see here that might cause a users speakers/products  to either ‘ungroup’ or interrupt the ‘audio playback’ as was being suggested earlier?

      I suggest you read Andy Pennell’s post. He writes Sonos Apps and in his own stable network he is now getting issues. Sonos appear to be changing firmware all over the place at the moment and breaking stuff that used to work. He’s even modifying his code to try and keep on top of it. 

      However breaking stuff like basic music indexing is starting to stretch the boundaries of credibility even further than we thought plausible. 

      At this rate I suspect it won’t be long before 3rd party apps start breaking, which they sort of have if you’re on 16.3 firmware as your local index will be toast and that will be equally badly displayed in any app trying to control Sonos. 

      For anyone ‘limping’ along currently on 16.2 firmware with a combination of older controllers and desktop apps, my advice would be:

       

      AVOID Updating to 16.3/16.3.1 levels of firmware

       

      Until Sonos have fixed the local indexing. Also updating to this level invokes a block in older Sonos controllers that stops them working completely. I get that Sonos would prefer users to be on the latest and consistent levels of code, but when you keep screwing up basic Sonos function (STILL after 3 months of pain) you can’t blame users for NOT wanting to ride on your out of control rollercoaster either. 

      I have read both of @controlav’s posts - not sure why Andy is having mDNS discovery isdues but that’s not happening on my networks at Home and other locations, but I guess Andy will get to the bottom of it - I’ve not had a single product not show up so far since the first release in early May, but I guess we each may be seeing different things, although I’m not sure why. I also didn’t have very much trouble with SSDP discovery with my networks either, in fact I still don’t on my main Home network where I still have a small S1 system alongside the new Sonos App setup.

      As for library indexing I only see the compilation albums grouping issue which I know has been reported and acknowledged and other than that my local NAS library is still working/indexing okay - I mostly search or browse by Artist anyway and the new local library search is incredibly quick and playback too. Much faster than the previous S2 Sonos App IMHO. See attached iPhone & iPad controllers.

      Ken_Griffiths
      Ken_Griffiths
      August 7, 2024

      The ‘new’ group volume control is a regression in function. I’m sure it used to work whereby if you pressed the speaker icon it would mute the whole group, and if you dragged the volume slider it would increase/decrease the volume across the group by the same amounts relative to their individual current volume. If you wanted to control just one speakers volume in a group, you tapped the volume line instead… 

      Now even if you tap the speaker icon to mute the group, it brings up the group volume screen having muted all speakers, so you have to swipe down again or wait a few seconds for it to disappear. Likewise to adjust volume, it always brings up the detail screen… where you can access the master volume slider… 

      It’s almost like the dev team are re-discovering what used to be there before and slowly coming to the same conclusions that were made years ago… Have Sonos outsourced their app development to a new company and let go the people that knew how it all worked? 

      I see it working almost the same now as it used to work in the S2 App - in fact it’s really similar, as is the room grouping screen and the volume can be controlled either for each individual room, or using the group-volume slider control at the bottom of the screen. What are you seeing that’s different?

      Si_G
      Renowned Listener
      August 7, 2024

      I have been using the windows app, mostly to access my Sonos Playlists as it was the only stable way to see them.

      Today I tried to create a new list and each time I add tracks, the Music Library disappears. I then have to go back to music sources and start all over again.

      press250
      press250
      Prodigy III
      August 7, 2024

      Hi @Ian_S and @sigh, at the beginning of the Sonos Q3 earnings call CEO Patrick Spence acknowledged customer problems with the new app and accompanying device firmware. One of the issues he specifically called out was “speakers disappearing from customers’ systems.”

      I believe this is the first time the company has acknowledged the problem. It is genuinely good to know that it is on their radar … even better that it was disclosed with such a high profile. Fingers crossed this vexing problem will be resolved in the not too distant future!

        Steve1958
        Contributor I
        August 7, 2024

        Hi @Ian_S and @sigh, at the beginning of the Sonos Q3 earnings call CEO Patrick Spence acknowledged customer problems with the new app and accompanying device firmware. One of the issues he specifically called out was “speakers disappearing from customers’ systems.”

        I believe this is the first time the company has acknowledged the problem. It is genuinely good to know that it is on their radar … even better that it was disclosed with such a high profile. Fingers crossed this vexing problem will be resolved in the not too distant future!

        I admire your optimism. Sonos broke their own system and we are all so grateful that they acknowledge it. It would be good if all previous functionality was returned. My worry is how long that is taking, why is it being drip fed and why the heck did this debacle happen in the first place!

        Mark Hood
        Lyricist III
        August 8, 2024

         

        It’s almost like the dev team are re-discovering what used to be there before and slowly coming to the same conclusions that were made years ago…

         

        Some 24 years ago Joel Spolsky wrote a seminal blog piece:

        https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/04/06/things-you-should-never-do-part-i/

        For a recent retrospective...

        https://www.reddit.com/r/ExperiencedDevs/comments/18vxqqf/24_years_ago_joel_spolsky_joel_on_software_wrote/

          Steve1958
          Contributor I
          August 8, 2024

           

          It’s almost like the dev team are re-discovering what used to be there before and slowly coming to the same conclusions that were made years ago…

           

          Some 24 years ago Joel Spolsky wrote a seminal blog piece:

          https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/04/06/things-you-should-never-do-part-i/

          For a recent retrospective...

          https://www.reddit.com/r/ExperiencedDevs/comments/18vxqqf/24_years_ago_joel_spolsky_joel_on_software_wrote/

          That is quite brilliant and sums up pretty much all that is wrong in our brave new world.

          amblue02
          amblue02
          Lyricist III
          August 8, 2024

          I had written a lengthy post commenting on yesterday’s earnings call and neglected to post and unfortunately lost it.  Here are the highlights:

          1. Patrick Spence spent the first 10 minutes of the call “falling on the sword” and “bending the knee” to take responsibility for the “ongoing” disaster with the app
          2. Patrick noted that there were 2 new hardware products that were ready to come to market in Q4 that will now be delayed.
          3. Company is entirely focused on fixing the app
            1. Process is being independently overseen by a board member
            2. Original Sonos App programmer is fully engaged with implementing fixes to the new app
          4. Sonos beat Q3 24 EPS estimates and revenue estimates, but guided down by over -40% Q4 24 revenue guidance ($397M → $250M = $600M+ annualized)
            1. The guide down is material, stock continues to fall, approaching $10 in the aftermarket.  Down nearly 50% since this fiasco started
          5. Entire tone of the call was ominous.  No investor presentation, just a conciliatory press release
            1. The CFO sounded like a sheep in a wolves den.  Comments were monotone and meek, she offered no updates as to the disappearance of the finance department (and IR department) who undoubtedly were overwhelmed with calls from disappointed investors

          In summary, management only now understands the impact of the disaster to forward sales, and due to regulatory requirements (and to avoid SEC scrutiny) had to disclose the -40% reduction in revenue.  As an avid Sonos user I hope they are successful.  That said, I think this fix is going to require new senior management.  IMHO, the Sonos franchise is at risk, there are no more 2nd chances.

          Finally, music library access (without hacks) has been pushed back to September.  This is why a management change is necessary, we don’t need false information, just be straightforward and honest, and stop missing self-imposed deadlines for the fix.

          To Rhonny and others - I hope you take this post as a factual commentary, I don’t mean to pile on.  That said, this is a deep hole that has eliminated 2 - 3 years of growth in the Sonos franchise...and Patrick Spence admitted that he rushed this update through.

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