The Sonos app overhaul: A costly miscalculation

The new Sonos app (Photo: Sonos)

Sonos’s ambitious redesign of its app promised a more modern, customizable, and user-friendly experience. However, two months later, the overhaul has proven to be a colossal misstep. While the company has been frantically backtracking with frequent updates to restore missing features, widespread customer frustration persists.

In a damage control effort, CEO Patrick Spence issued a public apology, acknowledging the significant disruption caused by the new app. The mea culpa comes after initial responses were perceived as tone-deaf, given the app’s numerous bugs and shortcomings.

Click to read more ...

Sonos debuts premium headphones, the Sonos Ace

Photo: Sonos

Sonos is expanding its audio expertise beyond speakers with the introduction of the Sonos Ace, its first pair of headphones. The Ace stays true to the Sonos brand, offering a sleek design, exceptional sound quality, and seamless integration with the Sonos ecosystem.

While independent reviews are yet to come in, Sonos promises a captivating audio experience with custom-designed 40mm drivers. Beamforming microphones ensure clear voice calls and effective active noise cancellation (ANC).

Click to read more ...

Sonos unveils streamlined Roam 2 portable speaker

Photo: Sonos

Sonos has refreshed its popular Roam portable speaker, making it even easier to enjoy Sonos sound on the go. The Sonos Roam 2 boasts the same rich audio experience as its predecessor but with some key improvements for a smoother user experience. Owners of the original Roam will appreciate the redesigned controls. The new design separates the power and Bluetooth buttons, addressing a common complaint about the multifunctional button on the first model. This eliminates confusion and accidental misfires.

Setup is also a breeze with the Roam 2. Unlike the previous model, which required a Wi-Fi setup before Bluetooth could be used, the Roam 2 lets you connect directly via Bluetooth for immediate use. This means you can grab the speaker and start jamming tunes at the beach or campsite without any Wi-Fi hassle. When you're back home, you can easily integrate it into your Sonos system through the Wi-Fi setup.

Click to read more ...

Sonos unveils redesigned mobile and web apps

Photo: Sonos

Sonos is shaking things up with a major update to its mobile app, launching on May 7 for both iOS and Android. This complete overhaul focuses on speed and ease of use, with a brand-new homescreen that puts everything you need at your fingertips.

Gone is the tabbed navigation bar. Now, you can customize the layout to prioritize your favourite playlists, line-in sources, and even specific carousels from music services (like Spotify's "New releases"). A persistent search bar at the bottom lets you find music quickly while swiping up from the mini player reveals a system overview for volume control and grouping speakers.

Click to read more ...