new sonos hardware

I don’t think that’s going to happen (again) as the physical remote the CR200 stopped receiving updates in 2020. It was the replacement for the CR100.

Ironically, you have to blame Sonos consumers (not all but many) who lobbied for the soft remote apps on phones and the like. So, it’s like “be careful of what you wish for”. Go Figure.

As cellphones became more capable there was a loud demand for a “free” controller running on a phone, rather than being forced to purchase an “expensive” standalone controller. I think that SONOS’s analysis was that potential dedicated controller sales could not justify the development cost. As a result, all of the competing audio systems required the use of a specialized controller and a SONOS system using a “free” phone controller was less expensive. In some cases you could include a couple more SONOS zones for the price of the dedicated controller.

Maybe Sonos could find a smaller partner to develop a dedicated controller?

Having a non-touchscreen enabled one would really appeal to the folks with limited hand function.

Even adding a nice sized screen, maybe optional, would be attractive to folks that like to see what is playing.

Would the IKEA Dirigera be an option for you?

It would be handy in 4 Rooms where the Pause button is out of the spouses reach, more so when there no button, just a touch surface. I looked at them and several other options and none quite did the job.

Same for (non Windows or Mac) desktop controllers.

Do you mean Sonos used to make physical remote cr200? If so would they work on the current hardwares? 

No.

CR-100

CR-200

It’s quite evident looking at the CR200 versus the CR100 that the progression to soft-touch controls was the future. Applications on cell phones and tablets that could interface with WiFi and the internet was the next logical step for Sonos to end the hardware based controller.

Also the clambering by consumers to be able to use their cell phones and tablets with an App was another push toward the inevitable. Now coming full circle some are wanting hardware controllers again; however that ship has sailed (for now).

Today hardware controllers are seen for TV’s which makes sense as they are family oriented devices for a specific room with multiple users (adults and children). They are also still used for gaming consoles where manual dexterity is a key advantage. The remaining devices that come to mind are streaming devices connected to a TV such as AppleTV, Roku and Chrome Cast There are also Alexa devices with screens. If you’ve been paying attention you should have noticed a pattern wherein all devices mentioned are associated with a visual interface.

Having said all the above I know some will possibly respond with another point of view and that’s fine. However, whatever the argument the Sonos hardware remote is gone for now given the current Sonos sales model. That said we might see a hardware remote with the for now shelved video streamer. So never say never 😂

BTW…thanks ​@Stanley_4 for the visuals. 😊

Thinking a bit outside the box here.  

A dedicated remote sounds a lot like one of my old cell phones, minus Sim, hooked up on the WIFI sporting the latest app. The tablet I'm on right now that I lit up Sonos with fits this this role. 

Am I missing something?  I'm only a couple of coffees into the day. 

Yes and No 😊. The point being that some don’t see their cell or tablet as being a dedicated remote. They still want a device like the CR series. Therefore, the conversation continues. For the record I’m satisfied using my cell and tablets and working on my third coffee 🤣

A key point for us is that the remote have real push-buttons, the spouse struggles to use any touch-screen. 

I don't expect to see anything from Sonos, the market is likely too small. Maybe a smaller company could be interested.

Stanley, I can certainly understand situations like yours on this. 

Trek I suppose I'm coming from a biased angle. I got tired of 4-5 remotes on my table a while back.