Why the account setup?

I’m already seamlessly integrated into the systems I want to use without a sonos account. I don’t want to have one more account that I have to maintain. I don’t want to have to screw around with remembering a password to use the system I’ve paid thousands for. I registered my system when I bought it years ago. I don’t want to have to opt out out marketing that I shouldn’t have to sign up for.

You’re holding your customers hostage with this.

So I have an account ( I wouldn't be here otherwise would I?), but I'm still getting this message demanding I set up and account and change my password. I'd rather not. No option is provided to log in with the account I already have. What's with that? And no, I don't need or want any additional or new services, I just want my system to keep working the way it has.

Same here. I called and spoke to John (waited 35 minutes) and the only reason he could give me on why I’m signing in on a system that already works is “what, you don’t want the updates?” and “I can’t change the system so what do you want me to do?”

I’m giving in but also not receiving verification emails.

Would have been really nice of them to let us know that this mandatory action was being taken. The units sound great but they still haven’t worked out the customer service bugs yet,

...and my remote ap has forced me to update THREE times now!!!!

Sonos, I have 9 speakers and they have been working fine for years. I use my own library as well as spotify an pandora and it has been working fine. I suspect your new sign in requirement is just a way to collect private usage data to fuel your business and I will not subscribe to this. We paid a lot of $$$ for your system and if we knew it required surrender private data, we would have looked for another system. The sign in must be optional. You must revert that policy and at least grandfather the customers who trusted you when you were a little start up. We purchased this system and the model was upfront payment without any strings attached and I refuse to surrender my private usage data.

Sonos, this is unacceptable. At the time I bought the device, this was not a requirement. I have no need for online services, and no need for voice control. It is not acceptable to change the purpose of a device retrospectively and prevent its use for the purpose advertised at the time of purchase. This is also a clear violation of a recommendation made by the European Parliament to fight software obsolescence. I will be contacting the European Consumer Centre to seek legal advice on this matter.

Let's sue Sonos. Has someone created a gofundme page for this already?

I have had a sonos setup for years. Today I get a message on my controller telling me to “finish setting up my sonos account” to CONTINUE using my system. Help me understand why I paid thousands for this system, spent a large number of hours dealing with issues (setup and otherwise) only to be told I HAVE to log into the sonos servers to keep using my system. I’m not updating until I get clarity.

I have had Sonos for a number of years without having to associate my devices with an account. I haven't felt left out or unprepared for adding additional services, and I certainly haven't been worried about security. So, Kevin's response to Aaron is simply perplexing. I have no desire to use Alexa. I do not want to use Spotify. I am quite happy with what I have. If I want to use additional services for which I would really need a Sonos account, perhaps I would consider creating an account then. But, please, Sonos, don't force me to add an account before I am ready to do something or to have one so that I can add a new device. I added another device earlier this year. I had intended to put one in each of our bedrooms this year when the new colored models would be introduced, but now I will not be adding any more Sonos devices. In addition, I have recommended Sonos to a number of people; they have all purchased Sonos based upon my recommendation. I will no longer recommend Sonos. Nor do I intend to upgrade my Sonos systemS. Note the plural.

Hi,

I don't use Alexa or Spotify direct, why do I need to set up yet another account?

This means that if I opt out I will no longer be able to update the speaker?

Think will keep running at current version forever ...

You already have a Sonos account. You've probably had one for years, since you needed to establish one way back when you first created your Sonos system on your network. And like Bruce said, it's the same account you use in the forums here.

Regardless of whether or not you'll ever use the various things like Alexa, Spotify Connect, or direct app control through Pandora or Tidal, or whatever other services are added in the future, your speaker still needs to be linked to your Sonos account. Sonos does this to ensure that on that one day that you change your mind and want to use one of those services or features, you'll be able to do so with only the minimal required effort.

Everyone seems to want to fight this effort, and there's no reason to. You have more to lose from the music services that you use than you do with Sonos itself.

I think they are taking the pee. Quite frankly sonos should let us decide if we want to setup an account or not.
Pretty related – You must have an account now to add a device to your system:
Below is the conversation I had with support / customer services – You could not make it up.

Thousands of pounds.
"The register" might find this shambles of interest – I may mail them the link to the thread and see what they do with it.

Start reading from from the top.

--------------- Original Message ---------------
From: Me
Sent: 5/20/2018 4:04 AM
To: support@sonos.com
Subject: Setting up a new deviceAccount is now required!?

Dear Sonos,

I was very surprised to notice that it is now a requirement to sign in to be able to add a Sonos device. This was never the case and certainly not part of the deal when I purchased all my sonos equipment.
I would expect Sonos to work and be usable without having to sign in.

I have, over the years invested heavily in a system that I expect to work without an internet connection, in a self-contained manner and that used to include registration of new devices. This is now not the case.

If you want me to explain why the path you are following is a very dangerous one, for both, your customers and the future of Sonos, I am happy to explain, but me having to do so would be a shame.

Remove this hindrance at once, and allow those that have supported Sonos, to carry on enjoying the experience they should expect, without having to rely on your environment being up and running, and this indefinitely.

Thanks.

Your trusting customer but now very unhappy

----- Original message -----
From: Sonos Support
To: Me
Subject: RE: Setting up a new device - Account is now required!?
Date: Sun, 20 May 2018 14:29:12 +0000 (GMT)

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Sonos Customer Care. Registration of new units is a requirement in order to receive updates, and updates are needed to ensure your system remains operational.

We need to make regular updates to our software and firmware periodically in order to resolve issues, maintain compatibility with the ever-changing music services we partner with, to deploy new features, and overall make your listening experience better.

As many music services now interface directly with our API, and an account is needed in order for the API to function, all of this is a functional requirement for the streaming music system to work.

If you prefer to have your system work entirely offline, you can do so, but you will not be able to add new speakers, receive updates or support, and you will only be able to utilize locally stored music.

Please note as well that if the device you are using to control Sonos has a newer version of the Sonos app, devices on older versions will not be able to work with it. As a result, you will also need to leave your controller permanently offline to avoid receiving updates.

If you choose to use the system in this way, please note that this is unsupported, and as with any unsupported setup, we cannot make any guarantee as to the functionality of the product in this configuration.

If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Best Regards,

Sean M.



----- Original message -----
From: Sonos Customer
To: Sonos Support
Subject: Re: Setting up a new device - Account is now required!?
Date: Sun, 20 May 2018 16:08:33 +0100

Hi,

My comments below each quote

"...Registration of new units is a requirement in order to receive updates, and updates are needed to ensure your system" remains operational.
This never used to be a requirement.

"...We need to make regular updates to our software and firmware periodically in order to resolve issues"
Get it right first time - no issues to resolve then :)

"...maintain compatibility with the ever-changing music services we partner with:"
I may not always care about music services - I may be happy listening to the music I have to deploy new features
I don't need new features and overall make your listening experience better.
Experience is worse now (this also include the mobile controller interface, but that's a different matter).

"...As many music services now interface directly with our API, and an account is needed in order for the API to function, all of this is a functional requirement for the streaming music system to work."
That's pooh talk, email login to add a new device was only added recently, API interaction with your system is donkey's old - In any case, I am interested in listening to MY music.

"...If you prefer to have your system work entirely offline, you can do so, but you will not be able to add new speakers, receive updates or support, and you will only be able to utilize locally stored music."
That never used to be the case - my agreement, when I purchased my many devices was that it would work without internet

"...Please note as well that if the device you are using to control Sonos has a newer version of the Sonos app, devices on older versions will not be able to work with it. As a result, you will also need to leave your controller permanently offline to avoid receiving updates."
Tell your dev team to consider "Backward compatibility" - It is not a new concept

"...If you choose to use the system in this way, please note that this is unsupported, and as with any unsupported setup, we cannot make any guarantee as to the functionality of the product in this configuration."
Shame on Sonos

If you have any other questions, please let me know....and below

1. I have a pioneer system, it is 35 years old, it works. If pioneer go out of business tomorrow my system will still work, and I can still sell it.... I hear you say, no spotify, no this, no that... But I don't care. I purchased my sonos to play my ripped CD's and listen to TV around the house. This was the idea at the time.

2. If you guys go out of business tomorrow. I am stuck with all this equipment worth nothing, can't add to it, can't sell it. Thousands of £'s down the drain.

3. Sonos decided that If I ever move where there is no internet connection, i am stuck with what I have.

4. I have always had good things to say about Sonos, and I know a lot of people who have invested in your product as a result. I am embarrassed now to have miss advised them. I will never have good things to say about SONOS again, not ever.

5. I will say one thing: slippery slope, very slippery


You must reconsider
Looking forward to your reply

Your very unhappy customer


--------------- Original Message ---------------
From: Me
Sent: 23/05/2018 06:19
To: support@sonos.com
Subject: Re: Setting up a new device - Account is now required!?

Dear Support,

I took my time detailing why my Sonos system is no longer fit for purpose (based on the agreement we had when I purchased every bit of equipment that I now own).
What I would like to know is when will Sonos reply? From a PR perspective, ignoring customers complaints is rarely a good idea!

Thanks.


----- Original message -----
From: Sonos Support
To: Me
Subject: RE: Setting up a new device - Account is now required!?
31 May (2 months ago)
Date: Thursday, 31 May 2018 15:21

Hi There,

My name is Sarah-Jane and I am part of the Management Team at Sonos.
First I would like to apologise with this delay and I can understand your concerns with relation to the sign in prompts.

The reason why we ask you to do this is to ensure that the players are registered only to you. This is important from a security point of view and comes into play in the event of theft if this were ever to occur.

Your account isn't just a list of the devices you own, it also allows us to confirm your country of residence. This allows you to have access to music streaming services and content which is restricted elsewhere in the world.

In the past we had installers who would set up whole households across the country using their one email address.
If they were to sign up to a Beta program with Sonos or if the owner wanted something changed, the installers would be the ones controlling this.
This was becoming concerning as technically the Sonos wasn't registered to the real owners and would end up factory resetting every piece of Sonos in order to set it to the correct email account.

I hope this clarifies more understanding as to why we have put this method in place.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Kind regards

Sarah-Jane
Sonos Technical Support

It looks like Sonos is claiming their hardware back. It's not your system anymore, it belongs to Sonos and you paid for the "privilege" of using it and Sonos is doing you a "favor" by implementing a mandatory log in system, next step perhaps is "real ID", where you will have to appear in front of a representative to prove your identity.

No matter if you want to use your own library of music, have a poor or move to a nonexisting internet connection place. It's THEIR hardware now. Wait until they start injecting audio ads into your music stream, it's a free service after all... BUT NOT!

Very disappointed.