I had a silly SONOS idea
Discussion
OMG it works!!!!
I have been hating the fact that SONOS have stopped making their controller and wanting to get something the same sort of size for a while.
Yesterday I took the plunge and bought a little 4.3" Android Tablet to see if it would connect and work as a controller for future projects and developer installs.
It has arrived already, it was partially charged so I couldn't help myself, I unplugged it and started playing.
First, disappointment, the manual says not compatible with the official Android Market. UhOh.
But when powered up it showed a Play:Store app.
Well bugger me, I found the Sonos app, down loaded it, launched and connected to my Sonos 'demo' kit and I now have full control via a 4.3" touchscreen controller that is just so cute!
Cost?
£45!
I have been hating the fact that SONOS have stopped making their controller and wanting to get something the same sort of size for a while.
Yesterday I took the plunge and bought a little 4.3" Android Tablet to see if it would connect and work as a controller for future projects and developer installs.
It has arrived already, it was partially charged so I couldn't help myself, I unplugged it and started playing.
First, disappointment, the manual says not compatible with the official Android Market. UhOh.
But when powered up it showed a Play:Store app.
Well bugger me, I found the Sonos app, down loaded it, launched and connected to my Sonos 'demo' kit and I now have full control via a 4.3" touchscreen controller that is just so cute!
Cost?
£45!
VEX said:
OMG it works!!!!
I have been hating the fact that SONOS have stopped making their controller and wanting to get something the same sort of size for a while.
Yesterday I took the plunge and bought a little 4.3" Android Tablet to see if it would connect and work as a controller for future projects and developer installs.
It has arrived already, it was partially charged so I couldn't help myself, I unplugged it and started playing.
First, disappointment, the manual says not compatible with the official Android Market. UhOh.
But when powered up it showed a Play:Store app.
Well bugger me, I found the Sonos app, down loaded it, launched and connected to my Sonos 'demo' kit and I now have full control via a 4.3" touchscreen controller that is just so cute!
Cost?
£45!
That sounds like a good solution.I have been hating the fact that SONOS have stopped making their controller and wanting to get something the same sort of size for a while.
Yesterday I took the plunge and bought a little 4.3" Android Tablet to see if it would connect and work as a controller for future projects and developer installs.
It has arrived already, it was partially charged so I couldn't help myself, I unplugged it and started playing.
First, disappointment, the manual says not compatible with the official Android Market. UhOh.
But when powered up it showed a Play:Store app.
Well bugger me, I found the Sonos app, down loaded it, launched and connected to my Sonos 'demo' kit and I now have full control via a 4.3" touchscreen controller that is just so cute!
Cost?
£45!
I love being able to control Sonos through my iPhone and iPad but sometimes it would be nice to have a dedicated contoller sitting next to my main remote.
The Sonos CR200 was a nice idea but never made sense because of the cost - it was actually cheaper to buy a fully functional iPod Touch or even iPhone instrad of one of those that could only do one thing.
Sub £50 is about right for a dedicated controller IMO.
OOooooo, but your missing a nifty technical point.
i-stuff has to use you current wifi network to get back to the router and then hop across to the Sonos platform.
Android Stuff just gets told to use the sonos network and your are in and way, without having to have any other wireless network available! Cool, hu!
Just that I can't get it to work on my little cute tablet quite yet!
Bugger!
V.
i-stuff has to use you current wifi network to get back to the router and then hop across to the Sonos platform.
Android Stuff just gets told to use the sonos network and your are in and way, without having to have any other wireless network available! Cool, hu!
Just that I can't get it to work on my little cute tablet quite yet!
Bugger!
V.
I think it is the size of the screen effecting it tbh.
The scaling means that some of the Android settings and volume buttons disappear under the clock and Wifi display and cant be pressed.
One other issue is that when it times out and goes to sleep, it turns the sonos off as well.
Still quite cool though, just need to get to the bottom of these to and it is an awesome little givaway.
V.
The scaling means that some of the Android settings and volume buttons disappear under the clock and Wifi display and cant be pressed.
One other issue is that when it times out and goes to sleep, it turns the sonos off as well.
Still quite cool though, just need to get to the bottom of these to and it is an awesome little givaway.
V.
I'm trying to work out what you're so excited about vex?! 
Surely you still need your wifi router, as in my case the Sonos Bridge is connected to it. My router provides ip addresses for my other four Sonos widgets. From what I understand the Sonos widgets talk directly with each other?
Is that right? Might be wrong though!
Surely you still need your wifi router, as in my case the Sonos Bridge is connected to it. My router provides ip addresses for my other four Sonos widgets. From what I understand the Sonos widgets talk directly with each other?
Is that right? Might be wrong though!
Edited by Digger on Thursday 13th June 14:03
How can you get a little tablet for £45?
ETA Ahh just seen one in the local Currys for £49
Amazing how cheap all this stuff is these days. I bought a Tom Tom when they first came out, £500 and then an extra £50 for each country that you wanted to add to it.
I've seen their latest low end model that is slimmer and does more as well as having all of Western Europe on it for less than £100.
ETA Ahh just seen one in the local Currys for £49
Amazing how cheap all this stuff is these days. I bought a Tom Tom when they first came out, £500 and then an extra £50 for each country that you wanted to add to it.I've seen their latest low end model that is slimmer and does more as well as having all of Western Europe on it for less than £100.
Edited by croyde on Thursday 13th June 13:14
Not if your using the Android App!
Hence the point of this test.
This is the mini tablet I am playing with.
http://www.storageoptions.com/products/scroll/tabl...
V.
Hence the point of this test.
This is the mini tablet I am playing with.
http://www.storageoptions.com/products/scroll/tabl...
V.
VEX said:
Not if your using the Android App!
Hence the point of this test.
This is the mini tablet I am playing with.
http://www.storageoptions.com/products/scroll/tabl...
V.
But isn't SONOS on wifi anyway, so what is the benefit of faffing about with a bluetooth controller? Hence the point of this test.
This is the mini tablet I am playing with.
http://www.storageoptions.com/products/scroll/tabl...
V.
Edited by TheHeretic on Saturday 15th June 12:40
I posted another thread where I have bypassed the Sonos idea (I have no need for the multi room application) and bought a bluetooth receiver that plugs into the phono sockets in my Nad amp. Using an old HTC Desire with the Spotify app as my controller and hey presto!
Streamed music and internet radio coming out of my AR18s speakers for £22.
Streamed music and internet radio coming out of my AR18s speakers for £22.
http://blog.sonos.com/sonos-stories/tip-android-de...
This is what he's talking about. You still need wifi on the Android device, the difference being you're connected to the Sonos Network and not you're own usual Access Point. In theory as the Sonos units in your house are all working together in a separate mesh network it should be quicker, more reliable and potentially have better range if you have Sonos units spread around the house. Ideal if you have a device dedicated to Sonos control.
This is what he's talking about. You still need wifi on the Android device, the difference being you're connected to the Sonos Network and not you're own usual Access Point. In theory as the Sonos units in your house are all working together in a separate mesh network it should be quicker, more reliable and potentially have better range if you have Sonos units spread around the house. Ideal if you have a device dedicated to Sonos control.
Ok done it.
Final,y got the setting 3 dots to appear behind the time in the status bar.
To all those who are asking why? There are to reasons.
1. SONOS builds its own wifi network, seperate to the wifi your router kicks out. So to be able to control it properly you either have to build you own wifi network or piggy back off the SONOS one. If you have your SONOS devices scattered throughout the house and a ropey standard wifi connection then using SonosNet is an advantage. Just like the original controllers work.
2. For developers houses, we can now install a SONOS demo / sales system we can give away these little tablets and set them up so they don't need a seperate broadband connection or wifi set up.
Does that explain why I am trying to do this?
Ps. It was £29 + VAT for me!
V.
Final,y got the setting 3 dots to appear behind the time in the status bar.
To all those who are asking why? There are to reasons.
1. SONOS builds its own wifi network, seperate to the wifi your router kicks out. So to be able to control it properly you either have to build you own wifi network or piggy back off the SONOS one. If you have your SONOS devices scattered throughout the house and a ropey standard wifi connection then using SonosNet is an advantage. Just like the original controllers work.
2. For developers houses, we can now install a SONOS demo / sales system we can give away these little tablets and set them up so they don't need a seperate broadband connection or wifi set up.
Does that explain why I am trying to do this?
Ps. It was £29 + VAT for me!
V.
VEX said:
1. SONOS builds its own wifi network, seperate to the wifi your router kicks out. So to be able to control it properly you either have to build you own wifi network or piggy back off the SONOS one. If you have your SONOS devices scattered throughout the house and a ropey standard wifi connection then using SonosNet is an advantage. Just like the original controllers work.
Not if they're hardwired they don't. 
RedLeicester said:
Not if they're hardwired they don't.
Yes they do, even if they are hardwired they still spit out a wifi as well.Both Toxic and I have had issues with wired Sonos boxes all in a stack not playing nicely with each other.
Disconnect all but one of them and they behave themselves!
V.
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