Skip to main content
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?

    This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
    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
    Tom_46
    Enthusiast I
    October 5, 2015
    You may be right. But Sonos have given us the means to make our wishes be heard. That they have done so suggests that they find some value in this sort of feedback. If we do not use this site, or what's posted here is ignored, then why have they given us these means? What would be the point? Are you in the habit of designing and building tools for people to then just tell them not to bother? I'm really struggling to understand what you are trying to tell us? Give up? Stop using this site for the very purpose it was put here for?



    Not that anyone can easily search my posting record using the new format, but if you could you can see me denouncing supposed interaction sites like ask.Sonos for as long as they have been asked for. My reasoning from the beginning is that so called "polls" are easily gamed, and "interaction" with Sonos reps more often than not boils down to "let's abuse people who can't fight back". So why did Sonos create this site? Damned if I know, but the fact this site has eliminated much of the "Ideas" functionality of ask.Sonos, coupled with the quicker and more effective curbing of the more abusive posters here, and instead concentrates much more on support and/or announcements, certainly supports my view of the utility of these sites more than any other.

    Seem to have been censored, unless it's only me that has lost the evenings worth of comments and responses. I'll be damned if you get the last word though. So let me state for the record that I believe your inability to back your baseless accusations and constant evasions have proven that your sole purpose with this line of attack was to be inflammatory and not to add anything meaningful to this thread. I will not be commenting further.
    Jeff S
    Jeff S
    Retired Sonos Staff
    October 5, 2015
    Hi folks,

    I've removed some comments in this discussion due to off-topic conversation and some personal attacks. These types of comments do not follow our community terms and conditions.

    If you have any questions, please send me a private message.

    Thanks,
    Jeff S
    Help others find useful content by clicking the like button and selecting the best answer to your question.
    User270161
    Lyricist II
    October 9, 2015
    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.

    I've been waiting for a windows mobile solution for years and I find it ridiculous that you don't have one.
    Waltero
    Lyricist I
    October 12, 2015
    Would really like to see this with 110Million devices using windows 10 already this is a must, even its desktop / table only to start with.
    Ian Middleton
    Lyricist III
    October 16, 2015
    Yes....waiting for last two years. Windows tablet needs it!
      Douglas_22
      Lyricist III
      October 19, 2015
      They have an opportunity to do a lot of things right by doing this.

      Get a first party app on both Xbox and Windows Phone.
      Get a touch friendly app on Windows PC's.
      Unify their codebase for all Windows devices (I'm just guessing but i doubt there is much in common between their WP closed beta app and the Windows desktop app).

      Make it work. I would buy more Sonos stuff if this existed.
      User580008
      Trending Lyricist I
      October 20, 2015
      Windows Mobile has a market share of 2-3 %, according to http://www.idc.com/prodserv/smartphone-os-market-share.jsp . It is not very economical to create a Sonos client for such a small minority. As Windows Mobile user, you should be aware of that and should have been aware before you purchased such a device.

      Improving the Android and iOS client will reach way more people than a Windows client.

      On your desktop you can use the desktop controller. Touchscreen Windows devices are still a minority as well, albeit possibly rising in number.

      Surely there should only be android controllers based on this assumption then as IoS accounts for a tiny % of shipments too....

      Maybe the whole situation will change with Windows 10, I would not yet count on it.

      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!!!!

      Oh! Seems you found all the 28 people using Windows mobile! Congrats! ;)
      User580008
      Trending Lyricist I
      October 20, 2015
      Based on these numbers there is an argument to cease IoS development too, 13% is pretty low (and shrinking).
      Rob Anglin
      Contributor I
      October 21, 2015
      Many folks posting replies here... are going "off-topic" (topic is Windows 10 Sonos Controller...which focuses on needs for desktop/laptop controller in Windows 10 OS environment). Comments about Windows phone, iOS, Android ... while interesting and even insightful... are "off-topic". We need a Windows 10 Sonos Controller app... and the PC market is HUGE for that set of users.

      As soon as Sonos notifies me they have finally "woken-up" and created a Sonos Controller native to Windows 10... I will download & use it!...!!!
        nutterguy
        Lyricist III
        November 8, 2015

        If you have any questions, please send me a private message.


        I have a question, are we ever going to get an official Yes/No reply on this. I mean it's been 3 painful years of Sonos flip-flopping around like a dead fish on this...
        Show more replies
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement