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

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Pierre2bzh

Lyricist I

Hi Sonos! I read a lot about your products. I was in the store to buy
1 playbar + 1 Sonos Sub + 2 play 3 + 3 play 1 + 1 play 5 = more than 3430€
but due to the lack of Windows 10 / 10 Mobile, I renounced.
As the previsous comment from Reflodark, I think that is a bad idea to not develop a windows app...
Only with 2 users like us, you could already earn something like more than $6000. Only with 2 people!
And I am sure we are not only 2 to think like that! So you should win to develop Universal windows apps!
There are other good sound solutions so if you confirm your choice to ignore Windows users, I will do the choise to ignore you. And that is really sad because it it a looser-looser deal...
Thanks for considering!
Pierre, from France

jgatie

Threats to buy a competitor's system would be far more effective if one listed the competing system that support Windows UWP apps. However, since there are no competitors who support UWP apps, I can understand why listing one is difficult. 😉

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Q33

Lyricist II

I have been tempted by Sonos for ages but will not purchase purely because there is no Windows 10 app which I can use on my mobile and Surface tablets. For various reasons I will not use android devices. Reading the views of the Windows opponents is frustrating and there is no point arguing.. Sonos is missing out on my participation, end of ....

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Speedy_dk

Lyricist I

There is actually a good alternative - BlueSound allowed a 3rd party app for Windows 10 uwp - and it is great.

jgatie

There is actually a good alternative - BlueSound allowed a 3rd party app for Windows 10 uwp - and it is great.

If a 3rd party app is all it takes, there is no reason to leave Sonos. Sonos already has a 3rd party Windows app here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/store/p/phonos/9wzdncrcwmqs

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erikweis

Lyricist I

This is kind of amazing. I use the Sonos desktop controller on my Windows 10 laptops, and even on an old, underpowered Dell tablet running Windows10. But it's a terrible touch experience.

The reality is that there is a massive market for Sonos to make a UWP app for that would shine for touch, but for some reason they're not willing to do it.

I like the speakers, and was considering getting a play:5, but I think I'm done with them if they can't create a first-class app for Windows touch devices.

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omartin2010

Lyricist II

There is indeed quite a large market. Forget about the windows phone, that's not the point, here. Win10 is on 350M+ devices. Listen, guys... that's important and because a competitor doesn't do it doesn't mean it's smart not to do it. Think forward. And with that SW development platform, you could develop once and with few changes, have the same app on Android, iOS and Windows............. Come on guys 🙂 Think about it. By the way, I work for Microsoft, so I might be biased but the reality is there are quite a few million potential users out there.

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waltmania

Lyricist I

Why not build a plug-in for Groove? I love Groove - use it on my 640Xl, Surface, Desktop, because it's fast, clean and easy to navigate.

jgatie

They have thought about it. They decided against it. They are concentrating on voice control instead.

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waltmania

Lyricist I

They we looking for feedback so I provided same. Demand changes minds. Thanks.

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