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Sonos Controller for Android – Music In the Palm Of Your Hand

on 5/8/12 11:30 PM

Tested version: 3.7.1
Latest version: 4.1
Requires Android: from 2.1

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Summary

It's when your smartphone starts replacing your other devices that you realise just how mighty it truly is. And the devices I'm thinking of include cameras and game pads, yes, but also controllers.

Today let's take a closer look at Sonos Controller for Android. Can and will it replace controllers?

 

Features & Use

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Please note that this app is a sort of remote controls system for Sonos devices. This means that – aside from a very nicely made demonstration clip – this app is only of interest to users who also own Sonos sound systems.

So what is Sonos? The answer: cable free sound systems. One of the system's components is hooked up to the home router and the others can be placed strategically around your apartment or house (provided you can plug them into electrical outlets, of course). The components can then be managed via remote control and may access data, streaming services such as Spotify and online radio streams.

It is no doubt due to current trends and technologies that are rendering some devices less popular than they once were – and others obsolete altogether – that led the ladies and gentlemen over at Sonos to the decision to replace the official controller for the system with an official iOS and Android app.

But before we come to the app's features, let's quickly discuss the tablet version. Or rather, the lack thereof. The developers have clearly missed an opportunity to create a tab friendly version of Sonos Controller for Android, although there is a tab formatted version for the iPad. Too bad.

Upon first starting up the app you are asked to connect the controller to the already existing Sonos network. We tried it out using several devices for the sake of our review and it worked out well on all of them.

Once the controller has been set up, you may choose a music player should you have more than one Sonos device hooked up. Players can be grouped together, enabling smooth and synchronised settings adaptions.
At this point I must really take my hat off to the Sonos developers, because everything up until this point works out beautifully, both work flow and controls.

Aside from this, the controller does what one might expect a remote controller to do: access playback lists, manage them and – with a bit of effort – delete tracks. I would personally prefer a drop-down menu via which several tracks can be deleted in one go.

Other features: add new music, browse the list for radio stations and streaming services (provided you pay the monthly fee of EUR 9,99) and create Sonos playlists. These playlists are stored internally on Sonos rather than on the Rdio or Spotify servers.

I was super happy about the integrated alarm clock and snooze mode that comes with one of the latest updates for Android.

On the whole the Android version is on the same level – and even slightly ahead of, in some departments – as the iOS one. For instance, using the Android version you may access the SonosNet or change the WiFi channel. This is a wonderfully useful function in case of interruptions or interferences and can be accredited to the openness of the Android platform.

Bottom line:

Sonos Controller for Android is a dream come true for Sonos users.
Please note, however, that the app has not been optimised for Android tablets.

 

Screen & Controls

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There are two things about Sonos Controller for Android that bother me somewhat. First of all, they've stuck to the iOS guidelines a bit too closely for my liking, and what's worse is that other options – specifically Android 4.0 ICS – have not been included. Now, while I do feel that an app with original design elements is always better than no app at all, I can't help but also think six months post ICS launch is long enough to consider adapting to the Android design.

Secondly, Sonos Controller doesn't run the same on Android as it does on iOS devices. It's a shame that the fun animations are missing.

Aside from this, Sonos Controller for Android comes with good controls and a lot of potential. A lot functions are not optimally placed (truth be told, some of them are a bit difficult to find at first). For instance, the equaliser is hidden within the room settings. I don't know about you, but I don't find this to be logical or intuitive.

 

Speed & Stability

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We encountered once bump along the road during our test runs of Sonos. This, however, was due to Spotify temporarily shutting down their service.

Aside from this one hiccup, Sonos Controller for Android has been performing very nicely these past few months.

 

Price/Performance Ratio

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Sonos Controller for Android is available for free, and what's more it's free of ads, too. However, do bear in mind that in order to use the app you will need the full set-up which will set you back EUR 300.

 

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Market Comments

A Google User, Jun 15, 2013
Excellent Beta Everyone moaning that you can't stream direct from an Android device...just sign up for the beta...or be patient
A Google User, Jun 13, 2013
Come on sonos hurry up Just bought 3 sonos playbars great sound and usability all around the house but lagging behind when your stuck with Apple. Yes I can operate it all from my 10.1 and s3 but have had to buy a ext. Hard Drive to store music so I can play it..... for such a forward thinking company a bit of a backward step staying with Apple. COME ON GUYS PULL YOUR FINGERS OUT ANDROID IS WHERE ITS AT.......
A Google User, Jun 12, 2013
Almost awesome gets two stars. Love everything about this products I spent a grand on, but now this app can't find my sonos devices :/ have spent over an hour trying to trouble shoot this problem.
A Google User, Jun 12, 2013
WOW....Please Fix! Have been using Sonos for about 6 months and was thrilled with all components and controllers.. All working fine until the last update. Continuously disconnects speakers to controller, always having to 'add component'. Have done factory reset on bridge and speakers just to get them all working again. Very painful, as I praise SONOS to friends and family and now it's rubbish. I'm sure it will be 5 out of 5 again once these errors have been resloved.
A Google User, Jun 9, 2013
What a shame!!!! What a real disapointment. Great idea and would love a Sonos system.Trying my friends out and having problems with it. I looked on the web but looks to me that you have to have an Apple device and iTunes, cos it totally ignores any media and music I have on my HTC one x Android phone and seems to be the case with all android devices, you can only allow me to listen to radio, spotify and the like.. Why why why have you given us Android users an app that's pointless...
A Google User, Jun 9, 2013
Great Works great in the Samsung Galaxy S3.
A Google User, Jun 7, 2013
Love it Could do with a ui update to bring it in line with Android design philosophy. Also drolly needs Google Music integration.
A Google User, Jun 7, 2013
Love Sonos, controller its great, but I wish there was a way I could play the music on my phone without using 'Line-In'. Besides that; flawless.
A Google User, Jun 7, 2013
Can't exit out? For some reason there is always a notification icon at the top of my screen, even after closing the app. No option to exit completely? Have to kill it manually :-/ Other than that, great app! Please fix :-)
A Google User, Jun 7, 2013
Well done but... I love Sonos, the sound quality is great and the app is stable. But only 3 stars? Eh? What gives? well, two things - 1) Sonos guys act somewhat snooty. Their responses and service feels quite arrogant, to say the least. Update: now there is direct play from android devices so two up from rating of 2. Sonos - good product but customer management can be improved. And dont act like Apple. Coz even apple cant pull off apple like snooty behavior without the magician called Steve.
A Google User, Jun 6, 2013
Love this Simply the best wireless audio system out there. And a beautiful and functional app. Love the ability to connect to sonosnet
A Google User, Jun 6, 2013
Hurrah
A Google User, Jun 5, 2013
VERY BUGGY as of June 5th, 2013 There's a serious bug with the mobile app on my Samsung Note II. The controller keeps popping up randomly, even after leaving the controller. I had to uninstall so I can continue using my phone without having to resist the urge to throw it out of the window. FIX IT please and I'll review my rating.
A Google User, Jun 5, 2013
Please fix! After the most recent update the app lags everywhere and i have to setup my system everyday. Please fix! GS4
A Google User, Jun 4, 2013
1st World Toy Do I need this..? Yes, I say, contentedly.
A Google User, Jun 4, 2013
Disappointed:: After the recent update, the app has started to freeze. The mitts disappointing thing is you can't play songs and music that you have in your phone.. Sonos should think something about that issue.
A Google User, Jun 4, 2013
Piece of crap!!!!!!! Downloaded this crap and we're back to " maybe I'll play or maybe I won't" so f'n fed up with Sonos. Too frustrating to constantly have to tinker to get it worjing. I'm done!!!!!!!!
A Google User, Jun 3, 2013
Great
A Google User, Jun 3, 2013
Samsung galaxy s3 Finally figured how to play mp3s on my android phone on sonos. Download double twist app with airsync. Works like a charm! Sonos you need to add support for this soon nonetheless.
A Google User, Jun 2, 2013
overall okay Quite annoying how you cannot play your own music and have to stream on Spotify etc... if this option was available then the app would be better!
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