Janice R. Andrews
Within the premium audio industry, Sonos is a well-known brand. But lately, a lot of people have criticized the app, mostly for the annoying experience it gives users. Even with minor updates and adjustments, many people still find the official Sonos app lacking. Now introduce SonoPhone, a $3 third-party software that claims to fix these problems and restore use to your Sonos system.
The Sonos Problem
A significant redesign of Sonos took place in the spring, but sadly, it caused more problems than it solved. The app’s frequent malfunctions and inefficiencies, which make their pricey audio systems all but useless, have drawn criticism from users. Even with the company’s continuous updates, the official Sonos app still has trouble completing simple tasks consistently.
Launch SonoPhone
An iOS app called SonoPhone provides a welcome change of pace from the troubled Sonos app. SonoPhone is a breath of new air in a sector dominated by subscription services, costing just $3 for a one-time purchase. Given that subscriptions are common and frequently onerous in 2024, this affordability is a key selling element.
Usability and Compatibility
SonoPhone’s compatibility with both modern S2 devices and older S1 hardware is one of its most notable characteristics. Because of its dual compatibility, the app is guaranteed to be useful to all Sonos users, irrespective of the generation of their devices.
SonoPhone’s user interface is intuitively intended to minimize the number of taps needed to accomplish simple tasks. The streamlined experience is noticeable and welcomed, even though I haven’t precisely tallied the number of taps saved. Although it differs from the original Sonos app, the UI is still simple. Speakers may be simply created and managed by dragging and dropping speakers. Speakers are accessed from the top.
Enhanced User Interface
With SonoPhone, creating zones is simple. SonoPhone, for example, recognizes and shows my two old Play:1 speakers as a single unit even though I have them configured as my “pool” speakers. Compared to the Sonos app, this drag-and-drop feature for creating and dissolving zones is easier to use.
Extensive Selection of Music
SonoPhone has a wide selection of music to choose from. Everything is easily accessible, including music saved on a NAS, favorites, playlists, and Sonos radio. SonoPhone also makes it simple to swap between profiles if numerous people in your home utilize the same music provider. In particular, this function helps keep personalized recommendations current.
Restrictions and Concluding Remarks
Even while SonoPhone is excellent in many ways, there are some disadvantages. The user interface of the app is a little archaic and makes one think of earlier Android apps. Moreover, there is restricted access to more advanced Sonos settings. SonoPhone cannot fully replace the official Sonos app because it is still necessary for tasks like adding new speakers.
But while using SonoPhone on a daily basis, the official app’s annoyance level is considerably lower. Its easy-to-use UI and effective features make controlling your Sonos system a lot more enjoyable.
To sum up, SonoPhone is a really good alternative even though it’s not ideal. It restores usability to Sonos systems for a one-time $3 payment, making it a smart buy for any disgruntled Sonos user.
