Sonos launches Live Activities on iPhone
Sonos has added Live Activities to its iOS app, bringing Lock Screen playback controls and other conveniences to iPhone users.
Once enabled, the Live Activity appears after a user starts playback and then closes the app. It shows the current room or group where audio was last playing. When playback stops, the activity disappears after 15 minutes. While the Live Activity can be viewed from the Lock Screen, users must first unlock their iPhone with Face ID or a passcode before making playback changes.
Sonos said in a Reddit post that album art cannot currently be included in the Live Activity, but "alternative ways to enhance the lock screen experience are being explored." The feature also works in CarPlay and on Apple Watch, though Sonos noted that "right now the controls aren't supported." Playback controls remain available if a user initiates playback from outside the Sonos app, such as via AirPlay, Bluetooth, or supported services.
Bloomberg reported in February that Live Activity support was in the works at Sonos. The launch follows a turbulent period for the company's iOS app, including a major redesign that drew criticism and eventually led to the firing of its CEO. Sonos has been gradually restoring features users requested.
Users who do not want Live Activities can disable the feature in the app's settings.