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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
    BoredofBalham
    Prodigy II
    March 20, 2016
    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. .

    Only 1 controller. That is so easy to change. I have various zones. I have a controller in every room in a fixed place - where it lives. I always know where the controller is. Amazon cheap basic tablets and "old" phones/tablets. Really good as remote controls. I use them to control other stuff too and as general purpose media devices.
    GeertvanHorrik
    Contributor I
    March 22, 2016
    If they don't care about the windows platform, they should at least open up their platform a bit more so external developers can jump in to fill the hoops. There are tons of developers that would love to write an external app for Sonos (not just the Windows platform, but developers in general).
      JesseH77
      Lyricist I
      March 23, 2016
      I'd prefer a windows 10 app. The existing app performs well in almost all circumstances unless you're trying to use a touch screen in which case it's pretty terrible.

      I'd really love to see something come of GeertvanHorrik's suggestion, opening up the platform so that developers like me can build some alternatives would be great. I'd love to build a minimal controller for my daughter that I could set to her speaker only and restrict to specific play lists.
        GeertvanHorrik
        Contributor I
        March 23, 2016
        The way that Sonos could (or should?) do this is to embed the calls to the music services into their players. That way they can hide whatever they want to keep secret but still allow third-party developers to interact with everything they do.

        I wrote a complete controller (Windows 10 universal). It supports everything except some third party music services because it requires certificate signing of the requests. If this would all happen inside the players instead of the controllers (which isn't very safe anyways), all problems for most developers would be solved.

        So I hope someone at Sonos is listening / peeking into this thread, but I am not getting any hopes up... Then I can add the last missing piece and they don't even have to write a Universal Windows 10 app (because mine is freely available on the store anyway and has all the functionality except initial set up, true play configuration and certificate based authentication).

        My point is: if Sonos just opens up their platform (hide sensitive details in the players instead of controllers), nobody would be complaining about an app, it would already be there (which in the long run saves Sonos resources).
        Eric.Jilot
        Lyricist I
        March 30, 2016
        As of todays Build conference there are over 270 active Windows 10 devices. Stop focusing on the phone as where the app is needed. Sonos just needs to support the Windows 10 application platform. To not do so would just be foolish of them. Hell they and even have one code base for all of there client/controller apps using Visual Studio with Xamarin.
          Rhostam
          Rhostam
          Lyricist III
          April 1, 2016
          Develop a Windows 10 UWP App for God's Sake. We can get by, sure, but this is becoming a nuisance hardship for people that would like to "invest" more in the Sonos platform. At least we can resort to designing some stuff on our own using HomeRemote (thehomeremote dot com). Anyhow, I voted on the OP poll. I guess its better to air our grievances and have them heard by others than to just be ignored by Sonos. I bought my first Play:1 as an accessory to my smart home stuff. It is used as a speaker to announce things as they occur. I was pleasantly surprised by the sound that I want to buy more and complete a full setup across the house. I may need to consider other options, though. Seems weird to me. Perhaps the Windows 10 team was among those laid off at Sonos.
          GF
          Lyricist II
          April 9, 2016
          28 Votes? Sonos is not going to write an app for 28 votes. Come on people if you really want the app then you have to do something about it.
          VOTE!!!!
          Because its cumbersome to get here - no vote without registering and login...
          jgatie
          jgatie
          April 9, 2016
          28 Votes? Sonos is not going to write an app for 28 votes. Come on people if you really want the app then you have to do something about it.
          VOTE!!!!
          Because its cumbersome to get here - no vote without registering and login...

          Yeah, because if they allowed voting without registering, it would be HIGHLY indicative of actual Sonos users. 😉
          Xylor
          Lyricist I
          April 10, 2016
          People investigate before buying an expensive piece of equipment. I for example am looking into the Playbar + subwoofer and a play 1 for every room in the house. Sonos does not provide support which means i don't purchase Sonos.

          In return Sonos does not provide an app because "demand" is low from windows mobile users.

          Call it a vicious circle...
          rvdlee
          Lyricist I
          April 11, 2016
          Hope is coming...
          Microsoft just released a preview version called "Desktop App converter" (Project Centennial). This tool can convert regular win32 apps to Microsoft universal app so it can be used crossplatform, also on Windows 10 mobile. Then there is also Windows bridge for porting IOS apps...
          Sonos already has a great win32 app. They just need to convert it.. No more excuses when the App converter is in a final state and ready for use.
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