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colinbowern
colinbowern
Contributor I
August 16, 2015
Answered

Windows 10 Controller

  • August 16, 2015
  • 368 replies
  • 109986 views
Do you have plans to ship a Windows 10 Store app which can be used from multiple Windows devices (PC, Phone, Xbox) to control the Sonos experience?

We are a Windows household and the desktop controller that exists for PC today is heavy and not very touch friendly. The third party Windows Phone app, Phonos, is fills a void, but not nearly as feature rich as the Android or iOS app. This has been requested for several years (https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/support-windows-8-rt-for-surface-tablet-and-windows-phone-8-for-mobile-devices-4593709) and the product management team does not address this gap beyond a blanket we have no news statement. I understand that choices have to be made. If you do not plan to address this in the net 12 months then can you at least make your API public with your apps being first and best examples of how to use that API so others can fill the gap for you?

Instead of a lot of "+1" and "me too" threads please show your support by voting on the poll below so we can get a count of the number of people who are interested in a Windows 10 app.

Would you use a Windows 10 Sonos controller app?

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    Best answer by Kenneth R
    Some of you have been asking about a native Windows Phone controller app for Sonos, and we’ve been slow to provide a clear answer. We’re sorry about that. The truth of the matter is that up until now we’ve been unclear internally on this very question. In fact, it’s been the source of many passionate debates because we recognize that some Sonos owners are also Windows Phone users.

    In the end, however, we’ve made a decision that Sonos is not going to build a Windows Phone 8 app nor are we planning to build a Windows 10 “universal” app. We’ll of course continue to support the Windows desktop controller. We’re big fans of the work Microsoft is doing across many areas, including mobile, voice control, AI, VR and of course the Groove music service, available on Sonos.

    We know this is super frustrating for Windows Phone owners anxious for more native apps on the platform, but like other companies we've had to place our bets. Our focus right now is on Voice and Paid Streaming Services, and we’re exploring quite a few innovative ways to experience and control your music – on your device and off.

    We’ll be sure to keep this group informed of our progress.

    Thanks,
    Kenneth

    368 replies

    Show previous replies
    scoob101
    Lyricist III
    March 3, 2016
    Id like them to tell the community one way or the other if windows 10 will be a supported platform going forward.

    That's not an unreasonable question, now is it.....
    ratty
    ratty
    March 3, 2016
    The Win32 controller can currently support all Windows desktop platforms from XP SP3 upwards. Windows Mobile has a tiny and declining ("unsustainable" according to the CEO) market share. To develop a UWP app means more work, for little obvious immediate gain. I dare say Sonos will get there eventually, but it's hardly a make-or-break requirement.
    jgatie
    jgatie
    March 3, 2016
    Id like them to tell the community one way or the other if windows 10 will be a supported platform going forward.

    That's not an unreasonable question, now is it.....

    Not unreasonable at all. And I imagine when the decision is made and if/when the product reaches beta, they will tell the community. Until then, anything they say is speculative.
    scoob101
    Lyricist III
    March 3, 2016
    The Win32 controller can currently support all Windows desktop platforms. Windows Mobile has a tiny and declining ("unsustainable" according to the CEO) market share. To develop a UWP app means more work, for little obvious immediate gain. I dare say Sonos will get there eventually, but it's hardly a make-or-break requirement.

    Its not a make or break requirement - for you. It may well ber for users those who chosen invested in windows 10 devices and wish to use them with their Sonos kit.

    Again, this is not about windows mobile phones. This is about whether Sonos will chose to support the Windows 10 platform, in its entirety, going forward.

    Developing and supporting that development for *any* platform requires investment. The cost benefits case of Sonos developing for Windows 10 I wouldn't want to speculate on, that's Sonos decision to make.

    But the point is, and I cant believe this has to be gone over time and time again, giving the customer base a clear message about what OS platforms are supported, and which ones are not is a normal expectation for a vendor to provide.
    scoob101
    Lyricist III
    March 3, 2016
    Id like them to tell the community one way or the other if windows 10 will be a supported platform going forward.

    That's not an unreasonable question, now is it.....

    Not unreasonable at all. And I imagine when the decision is made and if/when the product reaches beta, they will tell the community. Until then, anything they say is speculative.

    All of which ignores the reality that companies like sonos have clear roadmaps. These decisions don't just pop out of the air one day. They are planned.
    jgatie
    jgatie
    March 3, 2016
    But the point is, and I cant believe this has to be gone over time and time again, giving the customer base a clear message about what OS platforms are supported, and which ones are not is a normal expectation for a vendor to provide.


    One only has to look at the release notes for information on what OS platforms are supported. Sonos has never claimed, nor even intimated, that Windows 10 would be supported in its entirety. Sonos apps are for iOS and Android. Period. That is the OS platforms they support. The fact you wish them to comment on something they have never claimed to support now or in the future is puzzling to say the least. The fact one may have purchased the product (or changed OS platforms) hoping Sonos would support something have never claimed to support now or in the future is even more puzzling.
    jgatie
    jgatie
    March 3, 2016

    All of which ignores the reality that companies like sonos have clear roadmaps. These decisions don't just pop out of the air one day. They are planned.

    Not ignoring the reality at all. Matter of fact, I'll even go so far as saying being in the software business; I know that reality very well, along with the reality that the internal road map of a company is none of my damn business until that company wishes to make it public.
    Stuart_W
    Stuart_W
    World-Class Superstar
    March 3, 2016
    Sonos will never give you the information you looking for here... Their method of engaging with customers appears to be to say many things but not actually tell you anything.

    Actually, Sonos are very consistent. They acknowledge receipt of ideas, suggestions and issues. Beyond that for issues they will remind us that things are still being worked on and enhancements or suggestions or feature requests they simply do NOT publish their plans up front.

    This may or may not be to people's taste but this is how they operate and I for one don't interpret this in the way that you have.
    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
      scoob101
      Lyricist III
      March 3, 2016

      All of which ignores the reality that companies like sonos have clear roadmaps. These decisions don't just pop out of the air one day. They are planned.

      Not ignoring the reality at all. Matter of fact, I'll even go so far as saying being in the software business; I know that reality very well, along with the reality that the internal road map of a company is none of my damn business until that company wishes to make it public.

      Indeed. Which makes the previous track record of communication on this topic even more baffling and frustrating.

      Sonos created this problem by failing to follow the simple rules that have been so clearly laid out by posters here. Don't talk about something until you are committed to releasing it. They failed in this regard. Now we understandably want answers.
      jgatie
      jgatie
      March 3, 2016


      Indeed. Which makes the previous track record of communication on this topic even more baffling and frustrating.

      Sonos created this problem by failing to follow the simple rules that have been so clearly laid out by posters here. Don't talk about something until you are committed to releasing it. They failed in this regard. Now we understandably want answers.

      Sonos has never, ever, ever, claimed to have been working on a Windows 10 app. So I don't know where you get the idea they "created this problem by failing to follow the simple rules that have been so clearly laid out by posters here." If you are speaking of the supposed "Phish Alpha" app, Sonos has never commented on this. Ever. The fact other websites leaked information on what may or may not be an official Sonos app is irrelevant to the fact Sonos has never spoken of it. If it is this "Phish Alpha" app you want information on, don't demand answers from Sonos, go ask windowscentral.com why they predicted it was coming a year ago and got it so wrong.
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