Sonos is contemplating returning to the outdated app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 of 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 potential treatments to the present state of affairs that The Verge stories as being mentioned “excessive up inside Sonos” is the non permanent repair of constructing the outdated app obtainable once more, till the issues with the brand new model have been utterly ironed out.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 superb

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 potential 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 potential to downgrade lots of the newer Sonos merchandise that had been designed to work with the S2 app so 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 consists of gadgets which are suitable with the S1 app, that is most likely your best choice in the intervening time.

The S2 app was launched in 2020 and added new options resembling 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 resembling 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 received to the purpose the place Sonos CEO Patrick Spence was pressured to publish an apology.

Presently, it isn’t potential to roll again to the earlier Sonos S2 app, which means that Sonos customers are caught ready for the common updates which are slowly working by means of the lengthy record of points.

Is the Sonos S2 app positively coming again?

Its return would include some vital challenges

Sadly, it isn’t fairly so simple as merely rolling again to the outdated model of the app till the issues with the brand new model have been ironed out. There are two key the explanation 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 might 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 signifies that restoring entry to the earlier model of the S2 is probably not so simple as merely releasing the outdated app again into app shops.

Whether or not or not we do see a short lived return of the outdated 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 suitable factor to do.”