Contributor I

Answered

Windows 10 Controller

Forum|Forum|11 years ago
August 16, 2015
368 replies
109984 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

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Chris

Lead Maestro

I'm actually very surprised we haven't seen one yet. There were some screen shots by others showing a version in development (showing as an app for developers in the Windows App store). I expected we would see something with the Windows10 release. However, they have also been right in the middle of some other big projects so maybe they don't want to release it until we get our the next full version released (just like we don't get public ios betas either).

Fingers crossed with next full release we see Windows universal app (I have never seen one personally though)

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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Aust2385

Lyricist I

Totally agree. This suite of apps for Windows is way overdue now.
With the launch of continuum for Windows + the ability to port android & iOS code to Windows 10 + Microsoft actively writing code (in house) for companies to show them the new features of Windows, this should be a no brainer for them.
As for the market share argument Windows may have a small % SOM in Mobile, however as PCs, Tablets & Mobiles reach parity in terms of power, these numbers will become irrelevant and hopefully so to will the hurtles of porting each app for each platform.

nicka99

Local Superstar

However, they have also been right in the middle of some other big projects so maybe they don't want to release it until we get our the next full version released

do tell us more Chris 😉

Chris

Lead Maestro

speculation 😉

Respect the Queue (2)Move (3)Beam (1) Era100 (2)ARC (1)SonosOne (1)Playbar (4)Play5 (4)Play1 (3)Play3 (1)Port (2)Connect (1) Roam (2) Ace (1)Connect:Amp (4)Sonos Amp (1)Sub + (9) Echo + Smartthings; (2)Play)

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mike_273

Lyricist I

Install the android/blackberry version on wp10... They have had the phish alpha app in the windows store for years but wont give permission for ms to release it, since it was developed by ms.
This will be my standard going forward, if these companies refuse to support wp then just download and install the android version...

P

Paul Nicolay

Contributor I

I tried the Android version on Windows Mobile 10... but I don't get any further than the splash screen 😞

S

Shamus3k

Lyricist III

Amazing that the most installed OS in the world (see Gartner) has little support from vendors like Sonos, anything but windows mentality, ignoring the fact that it's used by millions and with Windows 10 and the unified app you'd think they'd cotton on that this is the future. Get a shift on Sonos and get an app out!

A

amun

Amazing that the most installed OS in the world (see Gartner) has little support from vendors like Sonos, anything but windows mentality,

There has been a Sonos Windows application for years, which still works perfectly on Windows 10. In many ways, is far superior to the other Sonos apps as Sonos haven't wrecked it - yet.

If you mean apps that would work on a phone, then AFAIA Windows phones only have a very small market share...

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BenWatsonuk

Trending Lyricist I

I think Thunderbyte you are missing the point made by the original poster. He was referring to a Windows 10 app. This would then be available to desktop, tablet, Xbox and mobile. It would be the same app for each as, with the exception of XBOX, they run the same operating system. Xbox uses HYPER-V which is part of their Server technology so presumably they have virtualised the environment. In fact soon users will be able to stream content including games to windows 10 machines from an XBOX. This is an interesting point as the hardware on phones has caught up recently meaning that users running windows 10 on their phone will be able to connect a mouse, keyboard and monitor and use it as a desktop PC. So any discussion should be related to the OS as the lines are now becoming a little blurred, especially with Continuum allowing users to continue where they left off on any device running windows 10.

Of course win10 mobile has not yet been released but whether it is successful or not is probably down to Samsung...

Thunderbyte

Prominent Collaborator I

I think Thunderbyte you are missing the point made by the original poster. He was referring to a Windows 10 app. This would then be available to desktop, tablet, Xbox and mobile.

Nope, not missing the point. Sonos already works on Windows 10 desktops and tablets. No idea why you would want a Sonos Controller on an XBOX? That would be superweird - controlling it with a game pad maybe? Why would you want that, if you have your mobile phone/tablet on your side? And Windows 10 mobile has really NO market share (as shown above).

Of course win10 mobile has not yet been released but whether it is successful or not is probably down to Samsung...

Nope. Too little too late in my opinion. The shares are distributed and Apple and Google will keep on innovating. It is not Samsung holding the rudder in the hand, it is Google.

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Would you use a Windows 10 Sonos controller app?

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