App still considered sluggish to load, widgets missing for quick controls
New app design removed alarms and snooze settings
Sonos faced backlash from customers after updating mobile app
Sonos released update to restore some functionality, improved accessibility and fixed bugs
Users reported issues with navigation and accessibility for vision-impaired individuals
Sonos, a popular home sound system company, has faced backlash from its customers after updating its mobile app. The new app design removed several features that users relied on, such as alarms and snooze settings. Some users also reported issues with the new app's navigation and accessibility for vision-impaired individuals.
Charles Knight, a Sonos user who listens to classical music every morning through his Sonos speakers, was disappointed when the company removed the option to set or change his wake-up music alarm in its latest app update. Timers to turn off music were also removed.
Sonos released a new update for its mobile app on iOS and Android last week, aiming to restore some of the lost functionality. The update brought significant improvements in accessibility with enhanced VoiceOver support and improved playback of folders from local music libraries. Several bugs have been fixed, including issues with the Add Product feature and problems with enabling Surround and Sub Audio.
Patrick Spence, Sonos CEO, admitted that poor communication with customers led to the issues surrounding the app redesign. Customers had requested a lighter and easier-to-use app for years. However, upon release, it received heavy criticism due to missing features and broken functions.
Despite these efforts to improve the user experience and regain trust from its loyal customers, some issues still remain unresolved. The app is still considered sluggish to load and widgets are missing for quick controls.
Sonos released a revamped app for its music boxes on May 7, which removed several features and was considered difficult to use by some users.
The redesigned app stripped users of features such as alarms, snooze settings, access to control the built-in SonosNet Wi-Fi settings, and the ability to search for content in a user’s music library.
Sonos lost trust with some vision impaired users due to issues with the new app’s navigation and inaccessibility.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as the author only mentions the negative aspects of the Sonos app update and does not provide any context about potential improvements or benefits. The author also uses emotional manipulation by using phrases like 'disgruntled Sonos customers' and 'pissed off punters'. There is no clear indication of deception in regards to quotes from Sonos, but the author's editorializing and pontification detracts from an objective analysis.
Despite the grumbling, management aren’t prepared to rethink the rollout.
Sonos lost trust with some vision impaired users, with one saying the new app was no longer accessible as navigation has altered
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(50%)
The author expresses a negative sentiment towards Sonos and their recent app update. While this in itself is not bias, the author does make statements that could be perceived as biased based on the information provided. For example, when quoting a user who says 'It was also felt to be clunky and inefficient, laggy and unresponsive', the author does not provide any context or counterargument to this statement. Additionally, when quoting Sonos' response about their decision to make the app cloud-based, the author does not challenge or question their reasoning. These instances could be seen as an implicit bias towards a negative view of Sonos and their actions.
It was also felt to be clunky and inefficient, laggy and unresponsive
Sonos lost trust with some vision impaired users, with one saying the new app was no longer accessible as navigation has altered
CEO Patrick Spence admits poor communication with customers led to issues
Customers had requested lighter, easier-to-use app for years
App received heavy criticism upon release due to missing features and broken functions
Company has made updates to improve experience and provide clearer communication about upcoming changes
Accuracy
]Sonos faced backlash for app redesign[
Deception
(95%)
The article contains editorializing and selective reporting. The author states 'Better communication could have prevented these problems' and 'Spence shares that there are going to be growing pains and, like with anything new, it will take time for some users to adjust.' These statements imply that the communication issue was solely on Sonos' end when it may have been a combination of factors. Additionally, the author selectively reports on the negative feedback without mentioning any positive feedback or potential benefits of the app redesign. The article also contains emotional manipulation through phrases like 'hated app redesign' and 'heavy criticism'.
Spence shares that there are going to be growing pains and, like with anything new, it will take time for some users to adjust.
Better communication could have prevented these problems
