Contributor I

Answered

Windows 10 Controller

Forum|Forum|11 years ago
August 16, 2015
368 replies
109993 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?

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.

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

Show previous replies

S

scoob101

Lyricist III

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.

Indeed, Sonos have never explicity stated they are working on a Windows 10 Universal App. But there has been plenty of comments from sonos in the past which are highly suggestive of activity in this area, which have lead to countless requests for clarification on the current state of play for Windows. Leo_10 put this together only a few posts ago on this very thread.

Lieing to a customer would be saying they would support windows mobile and not. Sonos has never implored they were in anything I have seen.

Oh they haven't? And how would you call this:

All, It's been a little while since our last update and we know that many of you are keen to learn more about the direction of this request. In short, the direction we're headed in is a good one, but we're not yet ready to share any details at this time. Until we have more to share, we're going to keep this topic marked as Under Consideration. Thank you for your continued support and for sharing your comments with us.

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/support-windows-8-rt-for-surface-tablet-and-windows-phone-8-for-mobile-devices-4593709/index12.html#post12440442

As indicated in the last official response, we're headed in a good direction but not ready to share any specific details about a Windows Phone or Surface RT control app yet.

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/support-windows-8-rt-for-surface-tablet-and-windows-phone-8-for-mobile-devices-4593709/index13.html#post12653204

We're not in a position in the moment to go into that much detail about our internal process but we understand the request for more communication. As remarked earlier in the topic history, we're positive about the future but not ready to share any detail at this time.

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/support-windows-8-rt-for-surface-tablet-and-windows-phone-8-for-mobile-devices-4593709/index13.html#post12653227

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your continued feedback and ideas regarding a Windows Phone controller for Sonos. We’re listening to your suggestions and will be looking for some more detailed feedback on how you use Windows Phone in your home soon.

We don’t have any updates or details to share at this time, and the request will continue to be marked as Under Consideration, but please keep an eye on this space in the near future.

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/support-windows-8-rt-for-surface-tablet-and-windows-phone-8-for-mobile-devices-4593709/index29.html#post13891817

This was 1 to 2 years ago. Doesn't sound like a no? It's more like we have something in development and are happy to tell you in near future more details about it? We all know that this didn't happen. Instead we got this a few month later:

We’ve created a brief survey which has some questions on what Windows Phone you currently use, what Sonos components you have, and what features are important to you. When you have a few minutes, we’d appreciate any feedback you can provide us via the survey.

You can take it by following this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AskSonosWindowsPhone

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/support-windows-8-rt-for-surface-tablet-and-windows-phone-8-for-mobile-devices-4593709/index30.html#post13959538

and then finally

We know this is a highly requested feature and that many of you are hoping to hear an acknowledgement from us on potential plans.

We have no news to share with you about support for Windows Phone on Sonos at this time, and do not expect to have an update in the near future. We are always testing ways to improve your experience with Sonos, and while we do not comment on what we're working on, this group will be among the first to know when we have more to share on this topic. Thank you for sharing your comments with us and we hope you'll continue to do so in the future.

https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/support-windows-8-rt-for-surface-tablet-and-windows-phone-8-for-mobile-devices-4593709/index37.html#post15343854

So tell me is this lying? Manipulating customers? in any case this is not how a professional company should treat their customers. They marked the former topic as under consideration, told us that they are on a good way and positive for the future. They created a survey showing furthermore their interest in the windows phone customers. And based on this i have bought a sonos system, assuming it will only be a short time the app will be released.
Well i was wrong. and a few month later sonos stated there is nothing and there won't be anything in the near future.
So maybe they did not lie directely, but they did their best to keep the windows phone customers believing in a short time app release. And that's what I Sonos blame for. A clear yes or no would have been far better. We know they are able to do so, as they did it for dts support.

and to Ryan S.
Yes there are controllers from other companys. But they are not free and also limited in functionality, compared to the official apps. So double penality for using an os your company doesn't want to support? Are you going to refund at least the price we spent for these apps? Shouldn't be that much, following the statistics of some of your fans here.

Again, Sonos previous communications have lead, at least in part, to this situation. Clarification of current status is not an unreasonable request to make when the status of Windows 10 support affects customers purchasing decisions.

jgatie

I see absolutely nothing in any of those posts which states they are working on, or will work on, a Windows app. None. Neither do I see them breaking their policy to not talk about current or future projects. If the reason you got your pantaloons in a bunch is the statement "the direction we're headed in is a good one" and a general survey of Windows mobile users, then I'm afraid you'll get no sympathy from me (or, I assume, any other clear thinking individual),

S

scoob101

Lyricist III

With respect I think you are being deliberately obtuse if you cannot have an appreciation, at least to some degree, to the points I am making.

ratty

With respect I think you are being deliberately obtuse if you cannot have an appreciation, at least to some degree, to the points I am making.

Actually, no. jgatie is telling it like it is.

jgatie

With respect I think you are being deliberately obtuse if you cannot have an appreciation, at least to some degree, to the points I am making.

Those Sonos posts are "PR Speak", they are deliberately obtuse in order to say nothing about current projects, while seemingly saying everything. The fact you take those waffling, non-descript, generic-to-a-fault comments as affirmation of an imminent Windows app, whereas you describe my quite literal observations as "deliberately obtuse", says volumes.

J

John B

A few straightforward facts:
!. Sonos are not idiots
2. They know some people would like a universal Windows app
3. Only possible conclusion from 1 and 2 is that for whatever reason(s), strategic, technical or other, they haven't felt it was right for their business. Which is their prerogative.
4. If people don't like it they can keep their wallets in their pockets.
5. As others have implied, notably @jgatie and @Stuart_W, Sonos never pre-announce, or even hint, and anyone who thinks they have done so on this issue is kidding themselves

T

Tom_46

Enthusiast I

With respect I think you are being deliberately obtuse if you cannot have an appreciation, at least to some degree, to the points I am making.

Actually, no. jgatie is telling it like it is.

Oh come now if you must see those comments and actions from Sonos staff are misleading and why anyone who has been following this for a while would be upset at the way this thread (and previous thread) have been handled by Sonos.

The fact that they have not explicitly stated they are working on an app is irrelevant as the intimation that they are is so strong that if people are getting upset then that is entirely the fault of the Sonos employees who wrote those posts, the blind assentation that they have never explicitly confirmed it Is ridiculous and yes, obtuse. If they had stuck to their guns and kept to a consistent policy perhaps this thread wouldn't be quite so accusatory. Fact is Sonos have rejected ideas and proposals before (see DTS etc) and the fact that this one has been rumbling on so long without a definitive answer while dangling tempting possibilities in our faces hints at either duplicitousness or cowardice. I think most of us have accepted this will not happen, what we really want is to hear Sonos say so, then we can stop wasting our time.

jgatie

Yeah, because this and other Windows app threads were never "accusatory" before those posts?

And the outright rejection of DTS on the Playbar, or any other contentious idea, has resulted in people giving up, accepting the idea isn't coming, and stop wasting their time?

Pardon me while I laugh! Bwahahahahaha!

T

Tom_46

Enthusiast I

Look mate I have no real interest in getting into another set-to with you, you'll just bail as soon as I demolish your argument anyway. However in regards to the DTS thread I have to admit I haven't been following it, doesn't apply to me so why would I? Perhaps there's a lesson there for you, bet your oar has been in that mire a few times.

Simply put though the precedent has been set so all these statements that Sonos NEVER confirm or deny are clearly false because they have done so. As with many things the rules are not important, it is that they are applied equally.

The continued ire on this thread if Sonos confirm they are not working on an app is not my problem. All I can say is that I, and I'm sure many others, would stop wasting time on it and after the outrageous amount of people's time these people have wasted now is time!

jgatie

Look mate I have no real interest in getting into another set-to with you, you'll just bail as soon as I demolish your argument anyway. However in regards to the DTS thread I have to admit I haven't been following it, doesn't apply to me so why would I? Perhaps there's a lesson there for you, bet your oar has been in that mire a few times.

Simply put though the precedent has been set so all these statements that Sonos NEVER confirm or deny are clearly false because they have done so. As with many things the rules are not important, it is that they are applied equally.

The continued ire on this thread if Sonos confirm they are not working on an app is not my problem. All I can say is that I, and I'm sure many others, would stop wasting time on it and after the outrageous amount of people's time these people have wasted now is time!

I never said Sonos does not confirm or deny. They have stated numerous things will not be done: Hires audio, DTS on the Playbar, Sub bonded with a Connect, Connect as surrounds, native Spotify Connect, etc. So I don't know where you got the idea that I or anyone else ever said "Sonos does not confirm or deny." I and others simply stated they never talk about current or future projects until they go to public beta (Apple Music being the exception, because it was preannounced by Apple, not Sonos).

But feel free to post more things that I and others never said. Strawmen are my specialty!

Show more replies

Would you use a Windows 10 Sonos controller app?

Sign up

Login to the community