Sonos IOS (IPhone control)

[Mull3t]

Hi All,

Recently introduced Sonos system across my house but rather annoyingly if I’m on my phone and just want to turn the volume down I have to go into the Sonos App and do this. Sometimes also my phone is locked so I press the home button hoping to see the Audio controls on the lock screen (like you do with spotify for example) and somestimes it isn’t there at all (Sonos) so I then have to unlock the phone and go to the app.

Thirdly, you can’t control anything from the notifaction centre!

Am I missing some hidden settings I need to change or do I need the likes of Sonobit (from iTunes Store).

Thanks

 

[Chives]

Hi All,

Recently introduced Sonos system across my house but rather annoyingly if I’m on my phone and just want to turn the volume down I have to go into the Sonos App and do this. Sometimes also my phone is locked so I press the home button hoping to see the Audio controls on the lock screen (like you do with spotify for example) and somestimes it isn’t there at all (Sonos) so I then have to unlock the phone and go to the app.

Thirdly, you can’t control anything from the notifaction centre!

Am I missing some hidden settings I need to change or do I need the likes of Sonobit (from iTunes Store).

Thanks

You'll probably get more responses in the SONOS thread https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/official-sonos-thread.18706026/

Also interested in the answer as I also find this annoying....

 

[lucid]

Hi All,

Recently introduced Sonos system across my house but rather annoyingly if I’m on my phone and just want to turn the volume down I have to go into the Sonos App and do this. Sometimes also my phone is locked so I press the home button hoping to see the Audio controls on the lock screen (like you do with spotify for example) and somestimes it isn’t there at all (Sonos) so I then have to unlock the phone and go to the app.

Thirdly, you can’t control anything from the notifaction centre!

Am I missing some hidden settings I need to change or do I need the likes of Sonobit (from iTunes Store).

Thanks

Sonos did make dedicated remotes for their products. The CR100 was essential when Sonos launched (2004-5) as there weren't iPhones and Android phones back then. From memory it was at least £200. The iPod style scroll wheel was familiar tech back then, but as the Sonos architecture developed there was need of something that could handle direct text input.

The CR200 touch screen remote launched in 2009, and at a hefty £300. However, Sonos had already launched an iOS app for controlling the gear, so the writing was on the wall for the CR200. Very few folk saw the appeal of a £300 dedicated remote when their phone was handy, and already paid for; plus people love an new excuse to use their phone or tablet.

There are Android tablets with Wi-Fi available from under £50. These will run the Sonos app. Don't enable a screen lock. Job done.

 

[hornetstinger]

Ideally you want the Sonos app to control your amps volume, not the Sonos box itself. Say you have a LAN controllable AVR, ie Yamaha - that has it's own app. But you can't "shortcut" one app to antoher.

You really don't want to change the output of a line level output, you want to do it in the amp.

Adjusting digital out volume isn't ideal either.

Squeezebox remote is the same, unfortunately. Only way of course is to use a regular IR programmable remote control, with "activities" so you create buttons that control the Sonos transport, but any volume, mute controls your AVR. Or create own activity.

If I use the "Squeezer" app, then adjusting volume will just alter the SB's analogue/digital outputs...don't know how you would link that, or indeed if you have legacy AV gear with no app/LAN control, then need IR receiver/IR blaste hardware but need some fancy bit of software..and some custom hardware too.

I doubt Yamaha/Marantz/Sony/Denon etc will allow you access to open source system where someone can create own apple/android app to do what you want, and give out source code how to control the AVR. Basically need a free open standard system, like COM control.

 

[lucid]

@hornetstinger - it's up to you what advice you offer, but I'll ask the question: "How is this relevant to the OP's needs? "

I'm not arguing the point about changing line out level. That's fine. Though I do note, you haven't said why it makes a difference. You should try and do that in the future if you're going to make something a central point of your posts. [For the benefit of anyone else reading, it's because it affects the signal quality by reducing the signal to noise ratio A.K.A. the dynamic range.]

What I would point out is that there are 8 Sonos products, but only 1 use a Line Out feature.

The remaining 7 all have integrated amplification. Those products are the Play series speakers, and the three home cinema products, and the Connect Amp. Your advice isn't relevant to over 85% of the product range.

In terms of sales rank, the 8th product - the Sonos Connect - is close to or at the bottom of the heap.

It is massively outsold by the integrated speakers and sound bar/sound base products. As a privately listed company, Sonos does have to publicise the detail of its sale figures AFAIK, but based in industry chatter and general Sonos enquiries I'd be surprised if any more that 1 in 100 Sonos sales are for the Connect. So you're talking about something that affects a tiny percentage of Sonos users.

You then go rattling on about IR control and writing custom software. I think all the OP was looking for was an answer to controlling the volume quickly (via an IP) when the phone is otherwise engaged.

 

[M1k3H]

Sometimes it works on my iPad sometimes it doesn't, it's a hit and miss really. On my Android phone however, it almost always works. (Talking about controlling volume and basic functions from the lock screen).