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colinbowern
colinbowern
Contributor I
August 16, 2015
Answered

Windows 10 Controller

  • 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

    368 replies

    Show previous replies
    Jay_17
    Lyricist I
    September 29, 2015
    The figures you quote are either US or global, if you look at Europe you have windows phone at 10-15% in some countries, in emerging markets the same. The investment in an app is small compared to potential sales loss of 15%. Regardless of phone the windows 10 rev platform is now universal apps, delivery is moving to the store. If your product isn't there you'll start to miss out (akin to not bothering with advertising)
      BenWatsonuk
      Trending Lyricist I
      September 30, 2015
      For context Office 97 also works on Windows 10.

      Yes Xbox One users can use a remote, app or the controller. It already runs a Blu-ray, has many steaming apps such as Netflix, Wuaki, Amazon Instant, Now TV, also live TV as well as Plex which is an excellent media server. My little boy certainly struggles to play music as he does not have a phone, but he does have a sonos sound bar.

      I would like a Samsung Smart TV app as well...

      You are right Windows 10 Mobile has no market share. Probably because it has not been released yet. JAY_17 is certainly right why would a company not want their software listed with the biggest software company in the world?

      I personally would like to be able to control Sonos through Plex. Sonos for all of their good points are, in my opinion, not the best or fastest developers.
      BenWatsonuk
      Trending Lyricist I
      September 30, 2015
      Interesting:

      http://blog.sonos.com/news/get-your-groove-on-sonos/
        Thunderbyte
        Thunderbyte
        Prominent Collaborator I
        October 1, 2015
        @Jay: Yes, indeed. There are more Windows phone users in Europe (and maybe other countries). I however don't get how you translate a 15% market share to a 15% sales loss. I would not see that as black and white. If a Windows phone user wants to use Sonos, there are 3rd party apps available and there is also the possibility to get a 30$ Android phone/tablet as remote. Being a Windows phone user means having the need for workarounds like that. Sonos is not an exception, just look at other important apps and their non-existence on the Windows platform.

        Maybe that will change, maybe it will not.

        TV / gaming consoles: I don't think that these devices are good Sonos controllers at all, just imagine how difficult the simplest steps would be without a mouse or a touch screen. Even if you are sitting in front of your TV, it makes more sense to use a touch device to control sonos than fiddling around with a game controller.
        1 Playbar | 1 Sub | 2x Play:5 | 1x Play:3 | 2x Play:1 | 1x Sonos One
        BenWatsonuk
        Trending Lyricist I
        October 1, 2015
        --- it makes more sense to use a touch device to control sonos than fiddling around with a game controller.

        Yes Thunderbyte you are quite right a windows 10 app for touch devices would be perfect.
          jgatie
          jgatie
          October 1, 2015
          I find the fact that every Windows app thread on this forum has a couple pro-Windows posters with a couple hundred posts, and the rest have under 10 . . . interesting . . . to say the least. Call me a cynic for thinking people respond to a Windows forum call-to-arms, register to vote/post in the Windows threads, and have no real interest in Sonos at all. And the fact I have personally seen these call-to-arms in Windows enthusiasts forums does nothing to dispel that cynicism.
          Thunderbyte
          Thunderbyte
          Prominent Collaborator I
          October 1, 2015
          Have fun touching your MS Surface Pro 3 with the Desktop Sonos app.
          1 Playbar | 1 Sub | 2x Play:5 | 1x Play:3 | 2x Play:1 | 1x Sonos One
            BenWatsonuk
            Trending Lyricist I
            October 1, 2015
            ---- Call me a cynic for thinking people respond to a Windows forum call-to-arms, register to vote/post in the Windows threads and have no real interest in Sonos at all.


            What a strange thing to write.
            BenWatsonuk
            Trending Lyricist I
            October 1, 2015
            ----Have fun touching your MS Surface Pro 3 with the Desktop Sonos app.

            What a strange thing to write.
            BenWatsonuk
            Trending Lyricist I
            October 1, 2015
            Scotch Mist:

            https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/store/apps/phish-alpha/9wzdncrcww3f
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