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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
    Andy_11
    Lyricist III
    November 19, 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...

    Hi Nutterguy,

    It's our company policy not to comment on possible future features and products. While we can note your interest in new features such as a Windows Phone controller, we can't officially comment on them.

    Please! Least you guys can do is share something on this. Again it's been 3 years since the original thread!

    You know, when it was just mobile I kinda got why you weren't interested. Market share for WP is poor, we all know that (though WP10 IMO far surpasses both iOS and Android). But with Windows 10 and universal apps, this opens up the potential user base ten fold! And with your recent tie in to Groove, I'd have expected this to be next on your 'to do' list.
    Bruce Harrison
    Lyricist I
    November 19, 2015
    I would like to see a windows app and I don't own a windows smartphone and never have any intention of buying one. I do however want to use windows 10 touchscreen PCs or tablets for home automation control around my house and the current windows client just isn't right for this.

    As has been said before its not really a question of making a brand new app for a low market share phone, its about updating the windows application to take advantage of the new universal app model. I already use both an iPad and an android phone for control but would love to use windows as well.
    double think
    Lyricist I
    November 21, 2015
    I find it interesting that people are quoting market share and accepting mediocre response to the market of devices. What if there was an issue with the latest iphone that was not getting sorted I am sure the sheep would show their fangs. This is the entire reason why people even use Sonos. There are basically 7 platforms you need to support PC, MAC, Linux, Android, blackberry, and windows phone/surface. Sonos this is why we pay you the big bucks. Get it done and keep up with the market! If there is market share to put phone hardware on the market then you are on the hook or come up with a the app.
    Spyrokeet
    Lyricist I
    November 22, 2015
    There is an awful lot of hate for the layout of the mobile apps, which I honestly can't even comprehend. The computer application is abysmally unintuitive, and the android version of the Sonos app is miraculous. So much so in fact that I installed the android apk on windows 10. The old app, that everyone appears to swear by, looks like real player back in the windows xp days. It's terrible.
    Stuart_W
    Stuart_W
    World-Class Superstar
    November 22, 2015
    There is an awful lot of hate for the layout of the mobile apps, which I honestly can't even comprehend. The computer application is abysmally unintuitive, and the android version of the Sonos app is miraculous. So much so in fact that I installed the android apk on windows 10. The old app, that everyone appears to swear by, looks like real player back in the windows xp days. It's terrible.

    I disagree. The Windows 10 app is perfectly fine.
    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
    controlav
    controlav
    Lead Maestro
    November 22, 2015
    The Windows 10 app is perfectly fine.

    I'm guessing you don't have a touchscreen. The Desktop app is pretty terrible to use with your fingers. Which is why I wrote my app, go try it form the Store for free. (I cant post a link, its not hard to find).
    Author of the leading independent Sonos apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, Windows and Xbox.
    novanglus
    Lyricist II
    November 23, 2015
    I'm a cross platform guy with both Mac/iOS/AppleTV and Windows/Xbox/WindowsMobile stuff, but recently I've been drawn towards some pretty great action on the Windows side of the aisle. 10 has actually been quite a revelation. 8 and 8.1 were amazingly bad examples of directionless design- by-committee. 10 seems to have a bunch of problems fixed, including the app-gap with 10 Mobile. As I recently bought my wife a Lumia 950 and am currently waiting an a dual sim 950XL myself (I love having my business line and personal line on the same phone), I really hope Sonos will see to it to transition their app to a universal app. There is no reason we shouldn't be able to have something that works well across all our potential 10 devices, including Xbox, Mobile, tablet, and desktop. Microsoft has made it relatively painless, so I hope Sonos will make it a reality soon.
      Stuart_W
      Stuart_W
      World-Class Superstar
      November 23, 2015
      The Windows 10 app is perfectly fine.

      I'm guessing you don't have a touchscreen. The Desktop app is pretty terrible to use with your fingers. Which is why I wrote my app, go try it form the Store for free. (I cant post a link, its not hard to find).

      You just guessed wrong. My screen is touch screen activated but I've yet to find anything I do that is easier or better on my all in one PC using a touchscreen rather than a mouse.
      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
      lucky101
      Lyricist III
      December 4, 2015
      [quote=Jeff S][quote=nutterguy]
      Hi Nutterguy,

      It's our company policy not to comment on possible future features and products. While we can note your interest in new features such as a Windows Phone controller, we can't officially comment on them.

      I understand that you can´t comment on specific features and products. But I do think you should be able to communicate a roadmap for OS support.

      Several people in the thread are missing the point with a Windows 10 app.
      Today we have a Windows x86 app that works on Windows 10. That is true. However this app lacks touch support.

      If you develop an app for Windows 10 you would make an “Universal Windows App”. The universal apps works on all Windows 10, PC, Phone, Xbox. With only one line of code it is possible to adjust for screen size (PC vs Phone). This means that the number of 2-3% market share is incorrect. With one application you can target way over 110 million devices (110 is the number of Windows 10 installations a month ago), phone, tablets, PCs and Xbox. Only one codebase to maintain.

      Develop once, run on many.

      A quick look at UWAP…
      https://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2015/03/02/a-first-look-at-the-windows-10-universal-app-platform/
        jgatie
        jgatie
        December 4, 2015
        I understand that you can´t comment on specific features and products. But I do think you should be able to communicate a roadmap for OS support.



        Translation: I understand your company policy is to not comment on future features/products, but I feel you should make an exception of that policy for something that is important to me! :rolleyes:
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