Contributor I

Answered

Windows 10 Controller

Forum|Forum|11 years ago
August 16, 2015
368 replies
109997 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

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!

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!

That actually had me in stitches. Straw men are your specialty? What did you write a guide on how to be one? Your tactics basically revolve around refuting questions no-one has asked and I'm still waiting on the links to the Windows community "call to arms" and evidence that the Phish Alpha app was produced by Microsoft both arguments you have advanced and abandoned.

To be fair to you you may never have said Sonos never confirm or deny but I'm sure you have said words to that effect, unfortunately I know that your mind doesn't do subtlety so the phrasing must be identical in order to make a connection. I was actually reacting to a comment by John B "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."

I still find the accusation of being a straw man funny, go back and look at past exchanges, I have met every argument you put forward absolutely head-on. If anyone has been guilty of flip-flopping, changing the argument or simply disengaging to avoid defeat it is not me.

jgatie

So you equate "Sonos never preannounce" as equal to "Sonos never denies it is going to work on something"? Well, no wonder you think "the direction we're headed in is a good one" and a general survey of Windows users is official confirmation of them working on an app! As to your other statements, there was a poster on this very forum who stated he came here due to a posting on an enthusiasts site and gave a link to the posting. No need for me to "prove" anything when your fellow posters do it for me. And my statement about the Phish app was pure speculation, based on what others stated at the time. If I was wrong, mea culpa.

S

scoob101

Lyricist III

So you equate "Sonos never preannounce" as equal to "Sonos never denies it is going to work on something"? Well, no wonder you think "the direction we're headed in is a good one" and a general survey of Windows users is official confirmation of them working on an app!

Don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows this is not official confirmation.

What it is, is frankly terrible customer communications. Sonos only have themselves to blame for this situation. Its time to make a clarification. That's all that's required to put this sorry episode to bed.

jgatie

So you equate "Sonos never preannounce" as equal to "Sonos never denies it is going to work on something"? Well, no wonder you think "the direction we're headed in is a good one" and a general survey of Windows users is official confirmation of them working on an app!

Don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows this is not official confirmation.

What it is, is frankly terrible customer communications. Sonos only have themselves to blame for this situation. Its time to make a clarification. That's all that's required to put this sorry episode to bed.

So you want a clarification on their non-official, non-confirmation? Shoot, I can give you that! 😃

T

Tom_46

Enthusiast I

There is a need to prove your argument if you want it to be accepted, I am not going to find a link in order to prove you correct. If you find it I will admit you were right, but it's your responsibility to prove your argument, not mine. I am glad you at least partially accept you were wrong about the Phish app, it was certainly not phrased as speculation however.

The wording around preannounce/deny is frankly unimportant when taken together with the length of time this has been going on. The main point is that Sonos should stop stringing people along. They have kept this up for too long, it is indefensible at this point four YEARS after the initial request/idea to not have a policy or answer. That isn't a policy of not preannouncing, at this kind of timescale it is something more sinister or inept. Would you trust any person or corporate body that was this evasive for this long about an issue that was important to you? Fact remains I think Sonos should grow a pair and say "No app for Windows."

T

Tom_46

Enthusiast I

So you equate "Sonos never preannounce" as equal to "Sonos never denies it is going to work on something"? Well, no wonder you think "the direction we're headed in is a good one" and a general survey of Windows users is official confirmation of them working on an app!

Don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows this is not official confirmation.

What it is, is frankly terrible customer communications. Sonos only have themselves to blame for this situation. Its time to make a clarification. That's all that's required to put this sorry episode to bed.

So you want a clarification on their non-official, non-confirmation? Shoot, I can give you that! :D

But it WAS official Sonos communication, Even if it was just a massive hint rather than a confirmation.

jgatie

But it WAS official Sonos communication, Even if it was just a massive hint rather than a confirmation.

Look, this thread is somewhat toxic, so I'll try to take it back a notch. I know you and others are wishing and hoping for the best, so some actions by Sonos can seem "massive", as it fits in with those wishes and hopes. Let me give you my interpretation and see if the logic fits:

1) "(T)he direction we're headed in is a good one" could mean any of a dozen things, from the idea being sent up the line for approval, all the way to an official commitment and imminent launch. Reading too much into that statement is a recipe for disappointment.

2) No company ever does a usage survey after they commit to a project. It is always a preliminary.

3) Sonos chooses their Alpha/Closed Beta testers; this and the old forums being one of the main sources. If Sonos were currently at the Alpha/Beta stage of development of a Windows app, do you not think they would attempt to recruit the 2 or 3 most vocal supporters of the Windows app as testers? In addition, would they not utilize the aforementioned usage survey (which I assumed you filled out) as yet another source? Read into this what you may.

jgatie

There is a need to prove your argument if you want it to be accepted, I am not going to find a link in order to prove you correct. If you find it I will admit you were right, but it's your responsibility to prove your argument, not mine. I am glad you at least partially accept you were wrong about the Phish app, it was certainly not phrased as speculation however.

If the search function on this forum were anything more than less than useless, I would provide the link. But the search literally gives me everything but my post, which given the accuracy of the search, means my post is definitely buried in here someplace. Until they improve the search (something I am as equally vocal, if not equally repetitive, about as you are with Windows), you will have to trust me on this one.

And anything I do not couch with an official link/statement is speculation. I thought that goes without saying.

Ryan S

Retired Sonos Staff

We absolutely understand the frustration at not having a clear yes or no for the future of a Windows 10 universal platform Sonos controller. At this time, we do not have any additional information to share or any plans to announce around developing one for the future. If there's any change in the status for this request, we will keep this group informed.

We are constantly looking to improve Sonos and offer the best experience possible. We also appreciate your ongoing feedback on this topic. While there are exciting things planned ahead, we simply don’t comment on specifics around unreleased products or our development roadmap.

There's been a lot of activity in this thread lately and I'd like to take the opportunity to remind everyone to stay friendly. Let's keep this a safe place for everyone to be welcome to share and have a voice.

Mark good posts by pressing the like button, and select the best answer on questions you've asked to help others find solutions.

Frank_2

Lyricist I

At this time, we do not have any additional information to share or any plans to announce around developing one for the future.

Whatever way this is meant, it doesn't sound very encouraging.
So, it's down to us maybe? A Kickstarter to develop a good Sonos-UWP-App which can be offered for free?

Are there documented APIs or is it down to reverse Engineering?
Would Sonos actually tolerate this or
would they be too afraid to let this happen, thinking that the possibility of having a mediocre App would undermine their commitment to Quality?

Show more replies

Would you use a Windows 10 Sonos controller app?

Sign up

Login to the community