Sonos is contemplating returning to the previous app

Simply if you thought the Sonos app replace debacle had reached its peak, The Verge reports that discussions have been held at Sonos about the potential for bringing again the old version of the app . Whereas a number of the issues that plagued the brand new model of the Sonos app have been addressed, there are nonetheless main points, to the purpose that two main new product releases have been put on hold till the app points have been resolved.

One of many doable cures to the present state of affairs that The Verge studies as being mentioned “excessive up inside Sonos” is the non permanent repair of constructing the previous app obtainable once more, till the issues with the brand new model have been utterly ironed out.

What’s the Sonos S2 app?

The earlier model of the app labored simply effective

Previous to the calamitous redesign, there have been two variations of the Sonos app: S1 and S2. S1 was the unique model of the app and works with the oldest Sonos {hardware}, such because the Sonos ZonePlayer fashions, in addition to the Play:5 (Gen 1) and Sonos Bridge. It is solely doable to regulate these gadgets utilizing the S1 app.

The S1 app remains to be obtainable for obtain and works as anticipated with S1-compatible gadgets. It is even doable to downgrade most of the more moderen Sonos merchandise that had been designed to work with the S2 app so as to management them with the S1 app. Units such because the Sonos One, Sonos Beam (Gen 1), Sonos Transfer, and the first-generation SYMFONISK speakers from Ikea can all be managed utilizing the S1 app. In case your setup solely contains gadgets which might be suitable with the S1 app, that is in all probability your only option in the meanwhile.

The S2 app was launched in 2020 and added new options corresponding to Dolby Atmos assist and the flexibility so as to add a number of audio system to particular room teams. Newer Sonos merchandise such because the Sonos Era 100 , Sonos Roam, and Sonos Arc would solely work with the S2 app and weren’t suitable with the older S1 app.

After which in Could of this yr, Sonos launched a significant replace to the app that launched a very new design, and it did not go well . The app was lacking options corresponding to the flexibility to set sleep timers, add songs to a queue, and play music from native gadgets. Some customers had been even unable so as to add new audio system to their system utilizing the brand new app. It obtained to the purpose the place Sonos CEO Patrick Spence was compelled to publish an apology.

At the moment, it is not doable to roll again to the earlier Sonos S2 app, which means that Sonos customers are caught ready for the common updates which might be slowly working by way of the lengthy listing of points.

Is the Sonos S2 app undoubtedly coming again?

Its return would include some vital challenges

Sadly, it is not fairly so simple as merely rolling again to the previous model of the app till the issues with the brand new model have been ironed out. There are two key the reason why it is a problem.

The primary is that Sonos lately launched its first ever headphones. The Sonos Ace headphones had been particularly designed to work with the brand new model of the app. Rolling again to the earlier model of the app could imply that the Sonos Ace headphones lose performance.

The second is {that a} main a part of the redesign has been the transfer to a extra cloud-based system, which implies that restoring entry to the earlier model of the S2 is probably not so simple as merely releasing the previous app again into app shops.

Whether or not or not we do see a brief return of the previous model of the app, Sonos has made it clear that the last word plan is to push forward with the up to date model of the app. In the course of the recent earnings call, Patrick Spence confirmed that he believes that redesigning the app “was and stays the appropriate factor to do.”