Windows 10 Controller

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?

Sonos has never discouraged third party apps, and there is already at least one out there for Windows mobile.

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.

Found it. Here's a story on one such activist. There's even a poll on whether it should be done.


http://mspoweruser.com/poll-should-we-harangue-companies-into-giving-us-windows-phone-apps/


I find this quote quite telling:

Also to be be effective not just one, but many Windows Phone users should be voicing their opinion.

Meanwhile, Android tablets with full touchscreen support for the Sonos app are so inexpensive it's not really a stretch to dedicate one or a few exclusively to the Sonos app...

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.

Found it. Here's a story on one such activist. There's even a poll on whether it should be done.


http://mspoweruser.com/poll-should-we-harangue-companies-into-giving-us-windows-phone-apps/


I find this quote quite telling:

Also to be be effective not just one, but many Windows Phone users should be voicing their opinion.

That article does not constitute a "call to arms" in any way. Yes Sonos was used as an example but the subject tackled was the broader issue of how to make companies respond to the request for apps. The inspiration for the article was a user repeatedly spamming Sonos' Facebook page with practically identical posts, in my opinion that is not a constructive tactic. The article contains no links to this thread or any mention the Sonos Community at all, there is no direct encouragement for people to come here and post, a few may have been inspired to do a bit of research and arrive here independently, not many I imagine however. To question the validity of this entire thread based on one article on a niche enthusiast website that was talking about a completely different feedback channel with no mention of this site at all is a huge leap and one I still don't accept. I still believe the vast majority of people who have posted over the years are legitimate Sonos owners or potential owners being held back by the lack of an app.

The quote you supplied does appear to be bad but has been taken completely out of context, when you read the full quote;

On one hand I can see the benefit of reminding a company they are not being inclusive, particularly when they want to present a public face of being so, but on the other hand such tactics can turn companies and their fans hostile against the OS. Also to be be effective not just one, but many Windows Phone users should be voicing their opinion.

you can appreciate that the author is simply asking what the most effective method of communicating a desire for native apps is. I happen to agree with the poll that demands should be made loudly, publicly and often. That is not the same as spamming forums and Facebook with identical and repeated demands it simply reinforces that the demand is still there.

The article may provide a little justification for your argument but not much, and lets be honest if there is a Windows conspiracy movement it's highest priority will not be Sonos who's products are luxury items that the vast majority of Windows Phone users, or users of any platform, will not possess. There are bigger fish to fry as far as missing apps are concerned.

Meanwhile, Android tablets with full touchscreen support for the Sonos app are so inexpensive it's not really a stretch to dedicate one or a few exclusively to the Sonos app...

I have an iPad mini so I do have access to an official app running machine. The problem with having a multi-zone system with only one controller is obvious though. While a phone stays with me, even around the home, a small tablet does not. When you have five zones there is always the problem of remembering where your dedicated tablet actually is. Not a problem with a phone. It is also my girlfriend's iPad so she, rather selfishly, likes to take it with here on occasion. There are numerous ways around the problem of no official support but all require some compromise, the unofficial apps are either expensive (Phonos) or lacking in usability and speed (Chirp), and while I like Chirp's design it does need some improvement. Your Android tablet solution would realistically require me to by a tablet for each zone, while they may be individually cheap it suddenly becomes rather expensive when five or more are required.

The poll was 85%, with well over 1000 of the readers agreeing that Windows users "should make our demands in public, loudly and regularly". The story specifically mentions Sonos, and the writer states that those who vote to "harangue" companies should do so in a "possibly organised manner". May not be enough for you, but I've seen this before. One and done posters (or just votes with no posts) in a thread, and a vote count that belies the actual market percentage. And here is a website that polls on the efficacy of such tactics, and specifically mentions Sonos. Believe what you want, but I'll not be curtailing my suspicions one iota.

And besides, if you think thread participation, fraudulent or not, influences Sonos towards a Windows app instead of actual market share, I've got a bridge to sell you. So arguing whether these are actual Sonos users or simply Windows enthusiasts doing their part for the cause is a moot point. The market is the market.

The market is the market.
And, at the risk of repeating it yet again, the MS CEO himself has said that the Windows Phone/Mobile market share is "unsustainable". At 1.7% Sonos is hardly losing out on a significant percentage of potential customers.

I have sympathy for those stuck with Windows phones. I know several people forced to use them for work purposes. They hate it and have iOS/Android phones for personal use.

I have sympathy for those stuck with Windows phones. I know several people forced to use them for work purposes. They hate it and have iOS/Android phones for personal use.

I'm a little perplexed by this negativity. If you and your friends prefer a different platform, great. Clearly, however, there are other Sonos customers who prefer Windows on their smartphones and who would like an official Sonos app. This seems an entirely reasonable wish and, with the arrival of Windows 10 and universal apps, would also be a logical evolutionary path for the current Windows desktop controller.

a logical evolutionary path for the current Windows desktop controller.
How so? MS' end of extended support for Win8.x is not until 10 January 2023. That means the WIn32 controller version requires at least 7 years of Sonos support and development.

I prefer my Windows 10 phone over Android and would like to see a universal win 10 app...