Sonos CEO Prioritizes App Improvements, Delays New Product Launches

Apps & Games / Mobile / Sonos CEO Prioritizes App Improvements, Delays New Product Launches
21 Aug 2024

In a recent Reddit AMA, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence shared insights into the company’s ongoing challenges with its app, particularly addressing the strong desire among users for the return of the old S2 app. Spence expressed that he had held out hope “until very recently” for the possibility of reintroducing the app, a sentiment that resonated with many loyal customers. However, after thorough testing, the conclusion was reached that bringing back the old app would likely exacerbate existing issues rather than resolve them.

Challenges with the New App

Since the launch of the new app on May 7th, Spence has publicly acknowledged the difficulties faced by users. He issued a formal apology and announced in August that the release of two new products would be postponed until the app experience aligns with the high standards expected by customers and partners alike. In his AMA, Spence elaborated on the complexities involved:

“The trick of course is that Sonos is not just the mobile app, but software that runs on your speakers and in the cloud too. In the months since the new mobile app launched we’ve been updating the software that runs on our speakers and in the cloud to the point where today S2 is less reliable & less stable than what you remember. After doing extensive testing we’ve reluctantly concluded that re-releasing S2 would make the problems worse, not better. I’m sure this is disappointing. It was disappointing to me.”

Spence also touched on potential future features, such as two-factor authentication, emphasizing that the app remains his top priority. He committed to engaging with users on Reddit during evenings and weekends to address the most pressing questions from the community.

As the situation unfolds, the tech community continues to watch closely, hoping for improvements that will restore user confidence in Sonos products.

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What is sonos s2 app?

The Sonos S2 app is a new platform introduced by Sonos for controlling its audio products. It offers enhanced features, better sound quality, and improved security compared to its predecessor. The app allows users to stream music, create and manage multi-room audio setups, and access a variety of music and audio services. Additionally, it supports high-resolution audio formats and advanced features like custom groupings and stereo pairing.
Update: 21 Aug 2024