Sonos, the popular audio brand, is still grappling with the aftermath of its controversial app redesign, which was rolled out a year ago. Despite efforts to address user feedback, the company's chief innovation officer, Nick Millington, admits that there is still much work to be done to restore features and functionality that were lost in the revamp.

In a recent update, Millington emphasized that his team is "100% focused" on understanding and resolving the issues plaguing the app. The team's priorities, according to Millington, are to identify the root cause of every customer issue, no matter how big or small, and to ensure the technical performance of the app meets user expectations. Additionally, the team is working to close gaps in functionality and usability relative to the previous app, with a focus on responding to user feedback.

Millington credits users who have shared diagnostic information for "sharpening" the team's focus, leading to several improvements. For instance, users can once again snooze alarms, and the battery life of portable Sonos Move and Roam speakers can be checked when they're in standby. However, key features such as playlist editing and the ability to queue an entire folder from a user's local music library are still missing, with Millington promising they will be added in "upcoming releases."

The slow pace of progress has been frustrating for users, who have been vocal about their dissatisfaction with the app. The controversy surrounding the redesign has been a significant blow to Sonos' reputation, with many users feeling that the company has lost touch with their needs. The situation has also led to speculation about the company's future, with recent layoffs and executive departures adding to the uncertainty.

Despite the challenges, Millington's update suggests that Sonos is committed to regaining user trust and restoring the app to its former glory. However, the company still has a long way to go to redeem itself in the eyes of its users. As the audio brand continues to work on fixing its app, it remains to be seen whether it can recover from this setback and regain its position as a leader in the audio industry.

The Sonos app fiasco serves as a cautionary tale for companies about the importance of listening to user feedback and prioritizing their needs. As the tech industry continues to evolve, companies must be willing to adapt and respond to user concerns in order to stay relevant and maintain customer loyalty.