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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

Show previous replies

jgatie

Simply, I request a Sonos Windows 10 app. A Sonos System without a controller is useless. I have an old CR 200 for which I paid more than US 500! these days. So Sonos should treat their long time clients as clients and not as cashcows. I am ready to be second in line... behind fancy overpriced iOS "tools". But still... I want to be respected as client... and 2016 is a good year to do so. Thank you Sonos for your appreciation.

... to clarify I mean a Windows Phone App (not a PC controller).

Sonos has stated in no uncertain terms, in clear and concise language, that they are not going to develop either a Windows Phone or Universal Windows Platform app. Is there something about this statement that you find unclear or misleading?

And PS - List price on a Sonos CR200 was $349, dropped from $399 for the CR100. If you paid US $500, you got ripped off.

M

Marcel Fischer

Lyricist II

I understood your clear statement perfectly well! However, battling for clients myself in a very competitive environment. I do appreciate client response and request. The investment for such an app would probably not hamper your profit?!

Thanks for the challenge ... I checked the real price: I got the CR100 (not CR 200) controller for .. Swiss Francs 720 plus 70 for the cradle in total Swiss Francs 790 on Sept. 1, 2007 at your licenced dealer "voice 70" in Winterthur, Switzerland (there were only a very few if not one only). This amount represented at that time exactly USD 655.85. Thank you for your appreciation ... and yes knowing now your US price... I got ripped off by your licenced dealer.

Not to get a wrong impression, I was (and still am) "OK" to pay such amount for a - at that time very unique - music system. No bad feelings,

I would just like to mention that 2007 is history as today you got plenty competition and ... please note that by consulting forums, my request/wish is shared by many others in your community and many others not bothering to raise their voice in forums.

PS: Just an idea. Why don't you insert a link to "Phonos" on your webpage? That would help "us" and you could count the clicks and verify whether is makes sense to develop an app sometime in the future.

Stuart_W

World-Class Superstar

I understood your clear statement perfectly well! However, battling for clients myself in a very competitive environment. I do appreciate client response and request. The investment for such an app would probably not hamper your profit?!

Thanks for the challenge ... I checked the real price: I got the CR100 (not CR 200) controller for .. Swiss Francs 720 plus 70 for the cradle in total Swiss Francs 790 on Sept. 1, 2007 at your licenced dealer "voice 70" in Winterthur, Switzerland (there were only a very few if not one only). This amount represented at that time exactly USD 655.85. Thank you for your appreciation ... and yes knowing now your US price... I got ripped off by your licenced dealer.

Not to get a wrong impression, I was (and still am) "OK" to pay such amount for a - at that time very unique - music system. No bad feelings,

I would just like to mention that 2007 is history as today you got plenty competition and ... please note that by consulting forums, my request/wish is shared by many others in your community and many others not bothering to raise their voice in forums.

PS: Just an idea. Why don't you insert a link to "Phonos" on your webpage? That would help "us" and you could count the clicks and verify whether is makes sense to develop an app sometime in the future.

Just to be clear jgatie is not a Sonos employee not is he "Sonos". They are clearly identified under their usernames

There are other solutions to control your Sonos costing very little besides iOS devices, PCs, MACs or Android phones

I suggest you research those - Sonos have made a hard nosed business decision and although "Never say never" it would seem unlikely they will reverse that decision at least in the near term (next few years).

So you might as well find another solution as your Windows phone is not going to be supported by Sonos anytime soon.

And I'm sure you appreciate why Sonos don't link to a 3rd party, unsupported and un-endorsed, app on their official website. They do, however, allow mention of those things on their forums but you won't find them explicitly recommending them.

Arc + Sub (Gen 1) + 2 x Play 1/ Stereo Play 3s/ Era 100 Stereo in Kitchen, One Stereo in Bedroom, Play 1 stereo pair in Study, Play 1in Bathroom, Sonos Move 2

jgatie

As stated, I am not employed by Sonos, nor am I Sonos themselves. I will however state unequivocally that you are wasting your time asking Sonos to produce something they have publicly stated they are not going to produce. You may as well ask Pepsi to make you a bottle of Coke, you would have a better chance.

As to the competition? Could you point to the competition which has released a Windows Phone or UWP app?

I'll be waiting.

E

el_fal

Lyricist III

If you re-read my posts, I did check the competition, and they do have UWP in development.

What I will point out however, is this thread is about a modern windows 10 app request. An OS that currently holds 19% of the desktop market. https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=10&qpcustomb=&qpcustom=&qpcustomd=0

As a happy coincidence, this OS enjoys shared code with tablets, convertibles and yes WM10.

Now, in the same link note the OSX share of just 4%. Is there a Sonos app for that? Hmm well yes it does appear so.

So, all we are really asking for is the same attention is placed on modernising the desktop application, and if sonos can sweep up the touchables/2in1's and mobiles added the same time is it a bad thing?

ratty

What I will point out however, is this thread is about a modern windows 10 app request. An OS that currently holds 19% of the desktop market. https://www.netmarketshare.com/operating-system-market-share.aspx?qprid=10&qpcustomb=&qpcustom=&qpcustomd=0

As a happy coincidence, this OS enjoys shared code with tablets, convertibles and yes WM10.

Now, in the same link note the OSX share of just 4%. Is there a Sonos app for that? Hmm well yes it does appear so.

Hardly a valid comparison. The Win10 market is already served by the current Win32 Desktop Controller. If Sonos didn't make an OS X controller that whole segment would remain unaddressed.

E

el_fal

Lyricist III

It is more than a valid comparison ratty. By your logic of serving segments undressed, the 5% osx share isn't too far from the 3% wm/wp share which you have persistently argue against. Yes, there is a win 32 app, it is not considered modern, it aged, clunky, confusing for guests and needs a overhaul. By the same logic, this covers 90% of the desktop market, yet you feel this is acceptable? I, and the majority of posters on this thread do not.

jgatie

Sonos. Is. Not. Going. To. Make. A. Universal. Windows. Platform. App. PERIOD!!!!!

Clear enough for you?

jgatie

If you re-read my posts, I did check the competition, and they do have UWP in development.

And if you re-read my posts, you'd realize I wasn't replying to you. But it does beg the question as to why you believe Denon when they claim to have an app in development, yet you steadfastly refuse to accept the fact that Sonos isn't going to develop one, even belaboring the point here long after you supposedly switched your allegiances over to Denon?

E

el_fal

Lyricist III

Ok, I apologise if you weren't directing your post at me in a PUBLIC forum, but you asked for examples and i provided one.

Secondly, I accept because they told me, yet Sonos replied to this thread to EXPLICITLY state they weren't.

Thirdly, "allegiances". Really? When did this become an army, or a cult, or a movement? I stated my opinions as a CUSTOMER. A consumer, a dissatisfied one and I have expressed this in the forum provided for such purposes.

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Would you use a Windows 10 Sonos controller app?

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