Orto - For Sonos

Sonos used to allow lock screen controls but due to Apple’s stupid restrictions these have gone away. Nothing like having to unlock your phone and search for your Sonos app, launch it and wait just to turn your volume down or skip a track. I was shocked when I found Orto. Because somehow it cleverly gets around this stupid restriction. I’m happy to say it works. Pretty consistently. It does some work around on hardware volume controls so it’s not as responsive as the old Sonos controller or Airplay experience. But it works. It’s fairly priced and is well thought out. If lock screen controls are important to you Orto will put a smile on your face.

Okay, so this is great, grand, glorious… But it only lets you instantly play songs slash albums that you have registered. But I don’t ALWAYS want D&D battle music or Harry Nilsson. So in summary, this has its pros and cons, so I respect its choices but like everything, it has downsides.

I really want to love this app. But I am having trouble with the Apple Watch app. I love to disconnect from my phone as I use Sonos speakers to whine down. But every time I try to initiate a shortcut or even a favorite playlist to play I continuously have to sync with iPhone and it doesn’t register that I am a premium user. Please fix this Apple Watch app!