search on local nas not possible

No it is not. Unless you use the desktop app, for a limited time only. 

But is it comming back in the app you think?

To just ignore a segment of their user base like this…I realize we’re in a minority, but holy crap, they’re actually going to insist I use their expensive equipment the way the way they want, as opposed to how I want?

Let’s see how this goes.

IMO opinion no, it’s gone for good. But I also think local libraries will be gone as well, eventually. Just my opinion and hopefully I’m wrong. 

I just can’t understand their thinking on taking local libraries away. 
 

Since Sonos doesn’t value this customer base, are there good alternatives for those of us who like to stream both our local files and make use of streaming services?

For sure there are alternatives, but you could also look at using Plex on Sonos for example. 

I appreciate that.
 

Keep reading about Plex, but’ve had my music  sitting on my iMac for 20 years, so I need to investigate these things I literally know nothing about.

I’ve read this creating some issues with plex, as well. Is it your belief these will be short term?

Sonos hasn’t really improved local libraries in the last 20 years (other than updating SMB) so to me when they remove features IMO they aren’t coming back. Plus The new search has been available for like a year in the old app, they’ve had a lot of time to figure this out but haven’t. But I could be wrong. 

Okay, how dumb is this question?

I used to sub a FAST channel called Plex. After a brief search, it appears That also has functionality similar what you’re describing.

Is this the same Plex that you’re talking about? It’s been a piece of software all this time? imagined it was hardware.

or am I an idiot and it’s a completely different Plex?

Missing features are coming back in the next few MONTHS. That is according to a response i had from Sonos. 
 

I am amazed that a company can remove features, without telling anyone, and then give them no way to get those features back other than to hope, wait and pray that they will indeed return. 

This is half finished Beta version. There are indeed some things i like and it looks a little fresher but for me it has ruined my user experience and i feel foolish for trusting in the update.