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Prominent Collaborator I
May 7, 2024

Feedback on Actual Usage of New Sonos App

  • May 7, 2024
  • 93 replies
  • 6430 views

Just installed the iPad version. Definitely do not like the app compared to the old one.

The new app feels way more busier, due to everything being thrown at you at once (which was their design intention). I’m not saying this approach can’t work though. I’m just saying that the way they designed it, it doesn’t feel right.

In terms of the look and feel, it feels less stylish to me and more cheap. Like it feels like I’m using the Amazon Alexa app (which I hate). The album covers are smaller and not as pronounced, compared to the previous apps recents area.

And the Now Playing screen on the iPad?! Like WTF? Why is there a gap around it showing the interface area behind it (ie Home area)? Why isn’t it full screen (and without rounded corners)? Makes zero design sense, as it’s super distracting, only adding to the busy feeling of the screen. Also see no option to make the app dark instead of light.

All said and done, this just makes me want to not use the app at all, unless there are substantial improvements made to it.

PS. I seem to be having occasional issues loading the app or returning to it, as everything in the app just pulses, as if it’s trying to reload the images / content. 

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93 replies

Contributor I
May 20, 2024

Moving things up and down on the screen IS NOT PERSONALIZING thing. Adding or removing things IS PERSONALIZING thing. The home screen now is overcrowded somehow. I need an option to remove some things that I don't use not to only push them to the bottom of the screen. Common guys it as a phone screen not a tablet or a pc. And what is this message 'the system not found' or something like that. I am in my profile and see every sonos product but only when the app is working properly. WHEN THE APP IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY obviously it is the above message. What about queue - my 20 years old cd sound system has a program button to queued some tracks from cds - the new sonos app not have a queue option anymore. I am going to use Spotify connect to use sonos products not the sonos app. The only reason to use sonos app is to add new sonos product but DO I WANT TO ADD ANY NEW SONOS PRODUCT TO MY SYSTEM !?

Avid Contributor I
May 22, 2024

Feedback on the usability. 

Overall, I like the app on both iPhone and iPad. The last 2 releases seem faster and list my rooms quicker than the earlier release 

When there is a message displayed in landscape mode ( how to use the app, then about the new headphones), I couldn’t hit the cross to remove it. Tried several times and only succeeded in launching the linked page each time. So a bigger cross please or more tolerance.

Also, on the iPad, the images in this message were unnaturally stretched to fill the width in  landscape mode. 

 

 

Thanks 

Contributor I
May 23, 2024

I have being installing Sonos since soon after it came out. And if I have to sum up a single frustration thing about Sonos, and nearly all my clients would concur;

is replacing an app that everyone is familiar with in operating on a day to day basis, with a completely new layout, that requires a whole new learning curve. There is extremely little information accompanying the new app in its layout and ‘how to’ navigate the new layout. Familiar icons and locations to access for day to day operation are gone and replaced with new ones or removed altogether.

The consensus among my clients is, each replacement app is more difficult to use and not the least bit intuitive.

While you IT engineers are designing this new layout with new features, to perhaps access some streaming platform, they are very removed from how the end user, your customers, would like to have it designed.

A large number of my clients are somewhat tech savvy, but they all collectively agree, that each new app is less intuitive than the previous, and that if certain parts require updating, then focus on that area for its ‘fix’.

As they say, ‘don’t throw out the baby with the water’.

And, for each new layout, please include a link with a simplified menu layout instructions for day to day use.

Thank you.

 

 

Contributor I
May 23, 2024

Seems that it’s necessary to completely rebuild our libraries for the new version and there’s no access any more to it from the mobile app.  Can see things that I have started from the desktop but cannot search for or play my own songs from the mobile app!

 

This would all be somewhat forgivable were it not for the fact that they did this to us all when they discontinued support for the older products.  It was not until everyone noted their complete and utter discontent that they agreed to continue to provide updates to S1.

 

Like so many here I think that it’s ridiculous that I should have to fire up my laptop or go downstairs to my desktop should I decide to listen to some of my own music while in bed or while entertaining!  What makes this even worse for me is that they did this only a couple months after I paid thousands to update all of my Sonoses!  Now I’ve got everyone in the house complaining to me that they can no longer access their music because of my update!!!
 

I’m not impressed and even feel betrayed by Sonos.  It’s not as it they produce the cheapest (and perhaps even not the best sounding) product out there.
 

For Sonos, this was an especially foolish move when one considers that products like Wiim Amp offer the same kind of functionality as Sonos (arguably more) for less money! 
 

I suggest that we all show our discontent by urging everyone we know to avoid Sonos products, including the new headphones that they would like us all to buy, until they put it right.

NollindAuthor
Prominent Collaborator I
May 23, 2024

The consensus among my clients is, each replacement app is more difficult to use and not the least bit intuitive.

While you IT engineers are designing this new layout with new features, to perhaps access some streaming platform, they are very removed from how the end user, your customers, would like to have it designed.

A large number of my clients are somewhat tech savvy, but they all collectively agree, that each new app is less intuitive than the previous, and that if certain parts require updating, then focus on that area for its ‘fix’.

As they say, ‘don’t throw out the baby with the water’.

Pretty much sums up my initial experience with the app. I was like, “The person who designed this has no user experience (UX) design experience. The sad part is that the company has a head user experience designer. Like I don’t get it. Perhaps they were forced to make changes suggested by someone else. I won’t say who though because I don’t want my post deleted again for mentioning He Who Must Not Be Named. 

jgatie
May 23, 2024

Pretty much sums up my initial experience with the app. I was like, “The person who designed this has no user experience (UX) design experience. The sad part is that the company has a head user experience designer. Like I don’t get it. Perhaps they were forced to make changes suggested by someone else. I won’t say who though because I don’t want my post deleted again for mentioning He Who Must Not Be Named. 

 

Posts don’t get deleted just for criticizing the CEO’s job performance (if that’s who you are talking about).  However, personal attacks, profanity, and over the top ignorance/slander are against the TOS, and will be moderated.

NollindAuthor
Prominent Collaborator I
May 23, 2024

 

Posts don’t get deleted just for criticizing the CEO’s job performance (if that’s who you are talking about).  However, personal attacks, profanity, and over the top ignorance/slander are against the TOS, and will be moderated.

I made a joke that it was his business strategy to get everyone to buy an Arc so they could listen to the Sonos Ace headphones in everyone room. Even put a silly face emoticon with it to emphasize it as a joke.

Please explain how that is a person attack, profanity, or over the top ignorance / slander?

jgatie
May 23, 2024

 

Posts don’t get deleted just for criticizing the CEO’s job performance (if that’s who you are talking about).  However, personal attacks, profanity, and over the top ignorance/slander are against the TOS, and will be moderated.

I made a joke that it was his business strategy to get everyone to buy an Arc so they could listen to the Sonos Ace headphones in everyone room. Even put a silly face emoticon with it to emphasize it as a joke.

Please explain how that is a person attack, profanity, or over the top ignorance / slander?

 

I can’t say.  I’m not a mod and I’m not privy to their reasons.  I do know that in the past, they have been pretty lenient with dissenting comments, going so far as to allow dissent which (IMHO) goes far over the line, even while reeling in commentary that is pro-Sonos.  I don’t know if that has changed, but perhaps the idiocy shown around these parts in the last week or so has modified their policy.  They are only human. 

Either way, that’s a question for them (and by the way, it is usually explained in a PM if you haven’t looked there). 

NollindAuthor
Prominent Collaborator I
May 23, 2024

I can’t say.  I’m not a mod and I’m not privy to their reasons.  I do know that in the past, they have been pretty lenient with dissenting comments, going so far as to allow dissent which (IMHO) goes far over the line, even while reeling in commentary that is pro-Sonos.  I don’t know if that has changed, but perhaps the idiocy shown around these parts in the last week or so has modified their policy.  They are only human. 

Either way, that’s a question for them (and by the way, it is usually explained in a PM if you haven’t looked there). 

I posted the comment I mentioned on the sixth page of the new headphones announcement. I no longer see it there and I don’t have a PM about it.

You agree what I said was pretty tame though, right (compared to what some others have said)? That’s why I’m confused why it got deleted as well, since it was evidently a joke criticizing the CEO with a fictitious and absurd business strategy I imagined (that of course no one would fall for).

My whole point of replying here is you said “Posts don’t get deleted just for criticizing the CEO”. Well apparently they do. Why? Who knows, as you said.

Enthusiast I
May 23, 2024

 

Posts don’t get deleted just for criticizing the CEO’s job performance (if that’s who you are talking about).  However, personal attacks, profanity, and over the top ignorance/slander are against the TOS, and will be moderated.

I made a joke that it was his business strategy to get everyone to buy an Arc so they could listen to the Sonos Ace headphones in everyone room. Even put a silly face emoticon with it to emphasize it as a joke.

Please explain how that is a person attack, profanity, or over the top ignorance / slander?

Sonos are on the ropes, struggling to deal with the backlash and clear negative sentiment of 1000s of loyal and passionate customers, I think we can expect irrational behaviour rather than them acknowledging a monumental screw up and adequate remedy. Disappointing though!