Sonos has confirmed that the rework to its much-maligned app will be rolling out soon. The app’s last big relaunch was credited with temporarily sinking the company, as users complained of its multitude of bugs, missing features, and rushed launch.
Sonos CEO Tom Conrad took to Reddit to comment on the new version. Conrad said that the team spent “hundreds of hours watching real customers use the Sonos app” in order to identify key areas that users are unhappy with.
“We’ve learned a lot about what hangs people up, what’s confusing when you’re new to the system, and what slows you down when you’re just trying to change the darn volume,” said Conrad.
“What kept showing up was this: a lot of friction came from proprietary patterns we built that made the app harder to learn and use than it needed to be. Stacks on stacks on stacks of content cards. Swipe-up gestures to switch speaker orientation. Close boxes where any other app on your phone would have a back button. Custom interface elements that never quite felt like part of iOS or Android.”
The Sonos app update is currently available as part of the company’s beta testing program. No word yet on the timing of its full roll out, but it is expected soon.
