No Windows 10 Controller from Sonos
by Volker Weber
I almost missed this post on the Sonos forums:
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.
As a vendor, you have to make hard decisions about where you invest. Windows Phone came and went away. UWP apps aren't here yet. The few people who control Sonos via a Windows 10 computer, can make do with the desktop controller.
What is Sonos working on?
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.
Comments
As much as I understand the reasoning behind the decision, I think this is a mistake. It is not about mobile, but the myriad of Windows tablets out there. If Sonos asked Microsoft for help, I think they would probably welcome them with open arms. Didn't they build them a complete Windows Phone App (Phish-Alpha.xap)? The commercial risk might be very small, the possible gain very big.
There are, thankfully, a number of 3rd party apps and also a number of iOS devices in the household. So for me, personally it is easily manageable. Still, I think it is a mistake and would have loved Sonos to go ahead here.
Sounds like hubris to me. They have a working beta version and don't think it's worth finishing?
The least they could do, would be to make the beta version, which has existed for over a year, open source so that someone else can finish what they don't want to.
Hubert, Phish was a Microsoft project. I have seen some documentation. Painful.
Sigh... there is reason why three of my five kids already migrated to Android or iOS...
Ingo, my respect to you having a family of seven. I would love that as well, unfortch we had to stop at two kids. Still a joy, heaven and hell every single day - would not want it any other way :)
BTT, there ARE good Sonos 3rd party apps. Phonos was not great looking but worked well. They are working on a universal app, there is an unfinished beta, which is good.
Recently I disvovered Zonos. The developer seems highly active (several updates per week plus visible improvements, detailed changelog) and the app is looking great and working well, also in continuum:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/zonos/9nblggh4q9wz
And yes, I find myself using continuum more and more often to do quick things possible on mobile but more comfortable on the big screen and no need to fire up the big machine (or open up a laptop). It can be greatly improved by remembering sessions, but hey, its days are young.
On a side note, the current Redstone build on mobile (14327) is sweet - the ones before had some ugly issues - but that is life in the windows Insider fast ring :) Stay away if you do not want bugs.
Hubert, the remaining kids are using Phonos and I knew the developer when I was with Microsoft myself. He did a great job, yet there is so much more to the native app. My kids did not change because of the Sonos app but for so many other reasons - even vowe is now diggin' on Snapchat for instance ;)...
Ingo, sure thing and nothing wrong with your kids (or anybody else)changing, IMHO. I did not mean to argue why they should not.
I am happy, as long as Microsoft keeps making a flagship phone for *me* once a year ;) If not, I think I am now even thinking about Android. But that is another chapter.
