Sonos Abandons Streaming Device That Aimed to Rival Apple TV [Report]

Sonos has scrapped its ambitious plan to launch a streaming video player that would have rivalled the Apple TV, according to a new report from The Verge. The decision was revealed during an all-hands call today, with interim CEO Tom Conrad informing staff that the project, codenamed Pinewood, is officially dead. Despite being well into development and undergoing months of beta testing, the company is pulling the plug and shifting focus to other priorities.The Pinewood device was slated to be Sonos' big hardware release for late 2025, following the Arc Ultra soundbar and Sub 4 launch in 2024. It promised a robust set of features, including support for popular streaming apps, HDMI switching, and passthrough capabilities for gaming consoles and 4K Blu-ray players. The box was also designed to integrate with Sonos' existing speaker lineup, enabling new surround sound setups. But with the cancellation, the company now faces a gap in its product pipeline for the latter half of next year.Conrad's decision comes amid a challenging period for Sonos, which has struggled with software issues and a rocky reputation in 2024. The Pinewood team will now pivot to other efforts, with a clear emphasis on stabilizing the company's software platform. Some inside Sonos had worried that Pinewood risked mirroring the lukewarm reception of the Sonos Ace headphones, a foray into a crowded market dominated by entrenched competitors like Apple. At a rumored price of between $200 and $400, the Sonos streaming device may have struggled to convince customers to choose it over far cheaper rivals, even if it offered enhanced functionality.Continue ReadingShare Article:Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, EmailFollow iClarified:Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Newsletter, App Store, YouTube

Mar 13, 2025 - 01:16

Sonos Abandons Streaming Device That Aimed to Rival Apple TV [Report]

Sonos has scrapped its ambitious plan to launch a streaming video player that would have rivalled the Apple TV, according to a new report from The Verge. The decision was revealed during an all-hands call today, with interim CEO Tom Conrad informing staff that the project, codenamed Pinewood, is officially dead. Despite being well into development and undergoing months of beta testing, the company is pulling the plug and shifting focus to other priorities.

The Pinewood device was slated to be Sonos' big hardware release for late 2025, following the Arc Ultra soundbar and Sub 4 launch in 2024. It promised a robust set of features, including support for popular streaming apps, HDMI switching, and passthrough capabilities for gaming consoles and 4K Blu-ray players. The box was also designed to integrate with Sonos' existing speaker lineup, enabling new surround sound setups. But with the cancellation, the company now faces a gap in its product pipeline for the latter half of next year.

Conrad's decision comes amid a challenging period for Sonos, which has struggled with software issues and a rocky reputation in 2024. The Pinewood team will now pivot to other efforts, with a clear emphasis on stabilizing the company's software platform. Some inside Sonos had worried that Pinewood risked mirroring the lukewarm reception of the Sonos Ace headphones, a foray into a crowded market dominated by entrenched competitors like Apple. At a rumored price of between $200 and $400, the Sonos streaming device may have struggled to convince customers to choose it over far cheaper rivals, even if it offered enhanced functionality.

Continue Reading

Share Article:
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Reddit, Email

Follow iClarified:
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Newsletter, App Store, YouTube