Sonos put speaker controls on your iPhone's lock screen (again)

“The latest Sonos app update (v80.16.32) reintroduces speaker controls on the iPhone lock screen using Apple’s Live Activities system. Users can see what’s playing and, after unlocking via Face ID or passcode, adjust volume or skip tracks, though album art isn’t displayed. The feature also appears in CarPlay and on Apple Watch, but full controls remain unavailable on those platforms. Sonos originally offered lock‑screen controls from 2016 until a 2023 API change forced removal, and a 2024 app redesign caused further setbacks. Recent patches have restored core functionality, paving the way for this new integration. Expert Analysis: Restoring lock‑screen control strengthens Sonos’s position in the US smart‑speaker market by leveraging Apple’s large iPhone user base, potentially driving higher engagement and subscription revenue. The limited interactivity (no album art, no watch controls) suggests Sonos is still negotiating deeper API access, which could influence future competitive dynamics with Amazon and Google.”