Skip to main content
Rudie
Enthusiast II
Jul 19, 2024 7:05 PM UTC
Question

Will we get our Android widget back?

Title.

Also the ability to see/control music from the notification area and lock screen.

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.

31 replies

Contributor II
Jul 19, 2024 8:19 PM UTC

God I hope so. Horrible user experience without it. Not that Sonos cares....

Translate
Lyricist I
Jul 24, 2024 1:02 PM UTC

I can not say how much I want a widget, flipping between units on the app, and lack of functionality without the app is just frustrating. 

 

I would have thought that a widget is pretty fundamental to the user experience. 

 

I will no doubt live my Sonos life in perpetual disappointment waiting in vain.

Translate
buzz
Grand Maestro
Jul 24, 2024 2:45 PM UTC

Both Google and Apple nolonger allow 3rd party players such as SONOS to use the home screen in this manor. For a while SONOS used a clever hack to do this, but Google and Apple claim that this hack creates security issues. The choice given to SONOS was elimate the hack or be dropped from the App Stores.

Translate
skullc
Prodigy III
Jul 24, 2024 2:54 PM UTC

I use a widget app called sono+ on my iPhone however I am using the old app and firmware 

unsure if it is available on android or if it works on the latest version but I have been using it plus the WiiM app for over a month and not opened the Sonos App 

 

Translate
Network= livewire cpe pro 3 +eero 6 pro wireless
Rudie
RudieAuthor
Enthusiast II
Aug 15, 2024 8:36 AM UTC

Both Google and Apple nolonger allow 3rd party players such as SONOS to use the home screen in this manor. For a while SONOS used a clever hack to do this, but Google and Apple claim that this hack creates security issues. The choice given to SONOS was elimate the hack or be dropped from the App Stores.

Is this a joke? How many apps on the app store have widgets?

Is Sonos were allowed to have a widget, then they wouldn't need a hack.

Translate
Contributor I
Aug 29, 2024 3:54 PM UTC

Nonsense, player widgets are allowed. 

Translate
melvimbe
Aug 29, 2024 4:16 PM UTC

I think @Buzz may have misspoke a bit by referring to the Sonos app as a player.  It’s not a player, it’s a controller..  When using app app like Spotify or other streaming audio service, the audio is playing on the device itself, and the device allows for device volume controls. Even if it’s bluetooth or airplay to another device, the audio is still originating from the device.  Sonos volume controls are  for controlling volume on other Sonos speakers where the audio originates on the other device.  It’s a signficant difference.

I know that Google an Apple don’t allow use of the hard button volume controls for controlling the volume of other devices.  I am not 100% sure about widget volume controls, but wouldn’t be surprised if the same policy applies. I think Buzz pays attention to these things more than I do.

Translate
Danny
Prodigy III
Aug 29, 2024 5:24 PM UTC

Also the ability to see/control music from the notification area and lock screen.

It's called Media Control: https://developer.android.com/media/implement/surfaces/mobile

Translate
Prodigy III
Aug 29, 2024 5:29 PM UTC

I know that Google an Apple don’t allow use of the hard button volume controls for controlling the volume of other devices.

Hard buttons still work on Android to control volume on Sonos.

Translate
Rudie
RudieAuthor
Enthusiast II
Aug 29, 2024 6:34 PM UTC

Well I, for one, couldn't care less about controlling the volume using the hard buttons.

I do, however, want to see what's playing by simply waking up my device (like I've been doing for the past 10+ years).

Now we have to open the app and wait for it to catch up before seeing what's playing.

 

Translate