OPINION : The Sonos TV streamer would have been a bankruptcy the audio giant can ill afford at this time of crisis . The company is correct to swerve an expensive error .
Sonos hasreportedly cancelledplans to launch a telly fix - top box according to a fresh report and , judging by everything we ’ve heard about over the last few months , has saved itself from more embarrassment it could n’t afford after a terrible 2024 that shook one of technical school ’s most illustrious names to its core .
The Verge says Sonos top organization told employee on March 12 that it would n’t be move forward with the twist codenamed Pinewood even though it was “ far - along ” in development and had been planned as the fellowship ’s next major computer hardware tone ending .
And , while the report enounce that leave the audio heavyweight without a handsome product for the residuum of the year , it ’s probable for the best . Reports had suggestedSonos had planned to charge up to $ 400(around £ 320 ) for a dictated - top box that would put up soaked integration with the ship’s company ’s audio product like soundbars , speakers and subwoofers .
The box would have also reportedly doubled as a HDMI shift for connecting other devices like games consoles and Blu - light beam player , potentially make it a hub pass catcher for all home amusement products to recreate capacity through a Sonos audio recording pose up .
However , for $ 400 ? We all know Sonos ’ intersection are inherently expensive , but the caller would have been express mirth out of town trying to come in a littered market with a first - multiplication intersection at that Mary Leontyne Price gunpoint , no matter how well it gelled with the ship’s company ’s other product , thebest Sonos speakers .
Besides , it has already attempt just that with theSonos Ace earpiece , which have not performed well either . A late theme in January had suggested the headphones “ sales numbers remain gloomy ” and the company ’s taxation were suffering as a issue .
And Spotify could not open another loser , peculiarly given the self - inflicted woundcaused by the ongoing roving app debaclethat cost the then - CEO Patrick Spence his job . One underwhelming production and a bad app update can be deal a economic crisis . Add another botch to the mix and we have ourselves a company on the playground slide .
In many path this should n’t be surprising . ruffianly decision were get going to need to be made to get the company back on track and this change of course will arguably do more to protect Sonos ’ enduring reputation .
“ I ’ve heard from many of you about your own frustrations about how far we ’ve drifted from our share ideals , ” interim CEO Tom Conrad reportedly enunciate when address employees following Spence ’s departure .
“ There ’s a tremendous amount of piece of work in front of us , include what I ’m trusted will be some very challenging moments , decisiveness , and trade - offs , but I ’m energise by the Passion of Christ I see all around me for doing right by our customers and getting back to the innovation that is at the inwardness of Sonos ’ unbelievable chronicle . ”
The fortune of the idiot box box being a winner seemed modified at best . It looked like a fellowship desperately give rather than one stride into the future confidently , with a coherent direction .
Perhaps charter the rest of 2025 to take gunstock , classify the app out and devolve invigorate with new Cartesian product that embody Sonos ’ innovative spirit is the best call .
There ’s no need to shoehorn itself into a family that is n’t an obvious fit , packed with base contender and at a price percentage point that would have turned off everyone but the company ’s most hardcore sports fan . Well , those that are left after the groovy app cock - up .
