Sonos releases redesigned iPhone & iPad apps w/ universal search & more

First launched a couple months back as a beta for Android users, Sonos today announced that its redesigned mobile app for iPhone and iPad users is now available. On top of a streamlined interface with a darker color palette (pictured above), the app also introduces a new universal search feature and much more:

Only Sonos offers one window to quickly search across all your music services. Start typing an artist and discover their new album, radio station and more. Search for a track and discover all the versions across services including live performances, remixes and covers. Click the search icon in the top right corner of the Menu.

Sonos says the redesigned user experience will make it easier than ever to access everything from Now Playing shortcuts, to playlists, alarms, and room control. Three main modules in the new app “allow for a simple navigation between the music currently playing, what room it’s playing in and how to find the next song you want.”

There have also been a number of other tweaks and new features introduced in version 5.0 including improved Surround Sound, new advanced settings, and VoiceOver support on iOS 7. A full list of what’s new is below.

The redesigned Sonos Controller app is available now for both iPhone and iPad on the App Store. The company recommends users of the old Sonos Controller for iPad uninstall the app before installing today’s release of Sonos Controller version 5.0 (which is a universal download for both iPhone and iPad).

What’s New in Version 5.0

The Sonos Controller Apps have been re-designed to make it easier than ever to play the music you love today and discover the music you will love tomorrow.

Sleek New Design: Effortlessly control your world of music with an app designed by and for music lovers.
-Touch the SONOS icon at the top to display the SONOS music menu.
-Touch the room name at the top right to display the ROOMS screen.
-Easily access Shuffle and Repeat from the queue pane.
-Access Crossfade and Sleep Timer from the Info & Options pane.
-Using your phone, swipe to toggle between the Now Playing screen and the last place you browsed; using your iPad, drag and drop tracks or albums directly into the queue or the Now Playing pane.

Explore Music Services: From popular favourites to specialised music services, Sonos makes it easy to browse our wide selection and discover new ways to explore the world of music.
-The More Music menu option has been renamed Add Music Services.
-The music service detail pages include descriptions of available services in your country.

Universal Search: With this update you can now search across all of your music services at once to find and enjoy the music you love.
-For example, if you have three different music services installed, a search for the artist Beck now returns relevant matches for all three.
-You can quickly jump across categories with the tap of a finger.

Surround Mode: If you have surround speakers connected to your PLAYBAR, you can now change the surround setting for music playback (this setting does not apply to TV audio).
-Choose from Ambient (default, subtle, ambient sound) or Full (new setting that enables louder, full range sound).
-Using a handheld Sonos controller:
1. From the Settings menu, touch Room Settings.
2. Choose the room that has surround speakers connected, and then choose Advanced Audio -> Surround Settings.
3. Select either Ambient or Full.

The following settings have been added to the Manage Music Library menu
-Schedule Music Index Updates
-Sort Folders By
-Compilation Albums

The following settings have been added to the Advanced Settings menu
-Wireless Channel
-Audio Compression
-Auto Check for Updates

VoiceOver is supported on iOS7.

Note for Sonos Controller App for iPad users only:
If you have previously installed the Sonos Controller for iPad, it is recommended that you uninstall the existing Sonos app before installing Sonos software version 5.0. For other devices, there is no need to uninstall before updating.

Filed under: Apps Tagged: entertainment, Music, Music Streaming, Sonos, sonos for ipad, sonos for iphone, sonos remote, sonos search, universal search