Sonos Planning Another App Overhaul With Live Activities Support - MacRumors
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Sonos Planning Another App Overhaul With Live Activities Support

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Sonos is preparing a major update to its app that aims to simplify navigation and introduce iPhone Lock Screen controls using Live Activities, part of a broader effort to rebuild confidence after the company's troubled 2024 software overhaul, Bloomberg reports.

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Sonos plans to roll out a series of optional changes to its iPhone and Android app in the coming months, with the company focusing on usability improvements, navigation, and more accessible playback controls. The update is expected to arrive gradually rather than as a sweeping redesign, reflecting a different release strategy following the company's widely criticized 2024 app relaunch.

Sonos CEO Tom Conrad recently demonstrated early versions of the revised interface during a meeting at the company's headquarters in Goleta, California. He admitted to Bloomberg that the current version of the app still contains several usability issues despite improvements made over the past year. While the final design is still evolving, the goal is to reduce friction in common tasks such as switching rooms, managing playback, and accessing frequently used controls.

A notable change being developed specifically for iOS involves adding Lock Screen playback controls for Sonos speakers. The feature is already available on Android devices, where users can control music without opening the Sonos app. On the iPhone, Sonos plans to implement similar functionality using Apple's Live Activities feature.

Live Activities were introduced in iOS 16 as part of the system's Lock Screen and Dynamic Island experience. The framework allows apps to display continuously updated information on the Lock Screen and, on supported devices, within the ‌Dynamic Island‌ area. Live Activities are commonly used for tasks such as tracking sports scores, ride-sharing progress, deliveries, or timers, but they can also provide persistent media controls.

Sonos has not yet provided a release date for the updated interface. Further details about the changes may be shared with customers in late March or April once development progresses further.

Tags: Bloomberg, Sonos

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Top Rated Comments

E
Entilzha
20 weeks ago
I’m sure this will go well. Sonos never misses in their app redesigns.

(THE PRECEDING WAS SARCASM FOR THE SARCASM-IMPAIRED)
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I
icwhatudidthere
20 weeks ago

I never understood how a redesign of their app was such a calamity to users. Are we talking about the same products? I open the Sonos app maybe once a year. It is mostly for just setting up your speakers, which barely ever need to be touched again after being set up. Sure they have features in the app for playing audio sources but that's really just because feel obligated to have it. It isn't meant to be the primary way to play audio. 99% of the time the audio going through my various Sonos devices is coming from the TV. If I'm playing from my phone, I'm not using the Sonos app. I'll use my music app(s), and stream directly to the speakers.

So why exactly did the earth stop rotating over an update to the Sonos app?
Multi room playback and control, choosing music from multiple sources, setting alarms. Just because you don’t use it doesn’t mean nobody does.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
SwampYankee0!
20 weeks ago
Will I be able to use the volume buttons on my iPhone to control volume or will I still have to do it in the stupid app? I need the Sonos app to support iPhone volume buttons and then we can talk forgiveness.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
neptunexp
20 weeks ago

I never understood how a redesign of their app was such a calamity to users. Are we talking about the same products? I open the Sonos app maybe once a year. It is mostly for just setting up your speakers, which barely ever need to be touched again after being set up. Sure they have features in the app for playing audio sources but that's really just because feel obligated to have it. It isn't meant to be the primary way to play audio. 99% of the time the audio going through my various Sonos devices is coming from the TV. If I'm playing from my phone, I'm not using the Sonos app. I'll use my music app(s), and stream directly to the speakers.

So why exactly did the earth stop rotating over an update to the Sonos app?
I have 10 rooms in my home with Sonos speakers, and listen to music every day in my home office. I have never used my system the way you describe and access the Sonos app multiple times per day. For users like me, the shortcomings of the current app are real and very annoying. One of their problems is they have devices controllable by voice, devices that interface with AirPlay, devices you can control with buttons, AND devices that are often hidden in closets and can't be accessed via AirPlay, voice or physical controls. So the app is absolutely necessary for many, and probably most Sonos users. It's awesome that you have a workflow that doesn't require it, but you're likely in the minority of Sonos users.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
F
Farquar
20 weeks ago
I never understood how a redesign of their app was such a calamity to users. Are we talking about the same products? I open the Sonos app maybe once a year. It is mostly for just setting up your speakers, which barely ever need to be touched again after being set up. Sure they have features in the app for playing audio sources but that's really just because feel obligated to have it. It isn't meant to be the primary way to play audio. 99% of the time the audio going through my various Sonos devices is coming from the TV. If I'm playing from my phone, I'm not using the Sonos app. I'll use my music app(s), and stream directly to the speakers.

So why exactly did the earth stop rotating over an update to the Sonos app?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
R
rishey
20 weeks ago

I never understood how a redesign of their app was such a calamity to users. Are we talking about the same products? I open the Sonos app maybe once a year. It is mostly for just setting up your speakers, which barely ever need to be touched again after being set up. Sure they have features in the app for playing audio sources but that's really just because feel obligated to have it. It isn't meant to be the primary way to play audio. 99% of the time the audio going through my various Sonos devices is coming from the TV. If I'm playing from my phone, I'm not using the Sonos app. I'll use my music app(s), and stream directly to the speakers.

So why exactly did the earth stop rotating over an update to the Sonos app?
I hate to break it to you, but not everyone is you. There are other people.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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