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Sonos Plans to Launch Apple TV-Like Streaming Box

Streaming is just a mess at the minute and another streaming box just ads to that mess! There are too many subscriptions and people are now forced to subscribe if they want to watch particular shows. its business but it's also unfair, especially with physical media falling off the studios are just pushing us to streaming.

Yeah it's great to have all this choices but I don't think they will all survive... and I don't think they should.. something needs to change.
 
I still like the idea of a Apple making a larger soundbar with homepod speaker technology, along with a built in Apple TV and camera for facetime. However, I would only want to buy such a product once every 10 years (like my TV) and I don’t see Apple going there. The benefit of having the pieces separate is that I could upgrade the apple TV hardware more often.
 
Dumb idea. If they built their own version of that Roku soundbar that doubles as a streaming device that could make sense.
 
Mrkevinfinnerty said:
Dumb idea. If they built their own version of that Roku soundbar that doubles as a streaming device that could make sense.
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I think for most companies, it's a dumb idea unless you can offer some integration into a larger ecosystem. And that's the problem...

I think for Sonos this is going to be a serious problem. Unless they have an extremely polished android experience, they're simply not going to compete with the level of integration apple offers with the rest of their ecosystem.

And even then, pricing their stuff at much more expensive than Apple is really not in-line with the Android user base who are largely (outside of fringe high end handset owners) focused on price.

I mean why would I buy this instead of either an Apple TV, or some sort of Android streaming box (or even the built-in crapware that ships with my TV)?
 
throAU said:
I think for most companies, it's a dumb idea unless you can offer some integration into a larger ecosystem. And that's the problem...

I think for Sonos this is going to be a serious problem. Unless they have an extremely polished android experience, they're simply not going to compete with the level of integration apple offers with the rest of their ecosystem.

And even then, pricing their stuff at much more expensive than Apple is really not in-line with the Android user base who are largely (outside of fringe high end handset owners) focused on price.

I mean why would I buy this instead of either an Apple TV, or some sort of Android streaming box (or even the built-in crapware that ships with my TV)?
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True. I mean its just a market they should avoid really unless it adds something to their existing product line.

They should just focus on fixing the software issues with their existing product line really.
 
dbwie said:
I still like the idea of a Apple making a larger soundbar with homepod speaker technology, along with a built in Apple TV and camera for facetime. However, I would only want to buy such a product once every 10 years (like my TV) and I don’t see Apple going there. The benefit of having the pieces separate is that I could upgrade the apple TV hardware more often.
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The sound part lasts (or should) a lot more than the ATV (the computer) part.

It's better that they are kept separated.

Either way I would also like to see something from Apple.
 
$400 would be good for me if I could use my Sonos speakers! I am in.

My only worry is the Sonos app which has always been poorly written.
 
BMox81 said:
Having opened up this thread and read through the replies, I'd just like to say thank you for having the most sensible/rational take in this thread so far.
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Competition is good, provided Sonos have a product to better Apple TV.

It seems odd for a company with its current controversies to make a product to compete with an established product. Bower and Wilkins tried the same with Formation and had a streaming box. Didn’t work out well for them.

Apple on the other hand have the resources and products which may soon replace Sonos products.

I wonder how many people ditched Sonos for HomePods.

I never understood why Apple haven’t bought surround sound out yet.

2 HomePods at the front, 2 HomePod minis at the back for example.
 
After spending thousands of dollars on Sonos devices over the last 15 years, I can honestly say I will never buy this or another Sonos product. My Sonos system still does not work properly. It's embarrassing when I have friends over and have to spend ten minutes trying to figure out why things have stopped working etc.
 
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digitalhome said:
After spending thousands of dollars on Sonos devices over the last 15 years, I can honestly say I will never buy this or another Sonos product. My Sonos system still does not work properly. It's embarrassing when I have friends over and have to spend ten minutes trying to figure out why things have stopped working etc.
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That’s so frustrating. Hope you find a solution. The Apple stuff isn’t perfect but works well for us.
 
Apple should absorb Sonos.... But have it more integrated than their Beats offerings.

I enjoy the Sonos product line, but have always found their apps clunky.

Sure: there's a home-pod: but no portable smart speaker options.
 
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Very strange they would do this given the market. At that range, there is the NVidia Shield TV which is a rather old bit of tech that outperforms the ATV, Amazon Fire, Roku and some others in many ways. However it remains with a busy main menu screen and runs on Android. I can't imagine this product insertion doing well in the market.
 
MacRumors said:


Sonos is developing a high-end streaming set-top box that's expected to launch this year, reports The Verge. While any set-top box will compete with the Apple TV, Sonos plans to price its upcoming device at $200 to $400, which would make it notably more expensive than the Apple TV.

sonos-logo.jpg

According to The Verge, the hardware is a nondescript black box that's slightly thicker than a deck of cards, with an included remote control. It'll run a version of Android, but Sonos has developed a "beautiful" interface.

The set-top box will offer content from Netflix, Max, Disney Plus, and other streaming services in a unified software experience that supports universal search. Sonos is said to be aiming to reduce the fragmentation of the streaming ecosystem, and the set-top box will be equipped with Sonos Voice Control. Apple has tried to do something similar, and Siri is able to provide content suggestions from a range of services.

Sonos' set-top box will double as an HDMI switch and it has HDMI ports with passthrough functionality. Users will be able to plug in gaming consoles, soundbars, and other devices. The device solves a latency problem that has long annoyed Sonos, and it will prevent TVs from experiencing audio sync delays with Sonos-branded soundbars.

For Sonos users who have Sonos speakers but not a soundbar, the set-top box will allow for the configuration of a surround sound system with Sonos devices. It will also support Wi-Fi 7 and offer gigabit ethernet.

Sonos struggled in 2024 after a disastrous app launch that ultimately led to Sonos CEO Patrick Spence stepping down, so the company needs a win in 2025 to restore its reputation. Sonos did not have much luck with its Sonos Ace headphones that came out around the time the app was refreshed, but the Arc Ultra Soundbar that launched late last year received better reviews.

Article Link: Sonos Plans to Launch Apple TV-Like Streaming Box
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Sonos should focus on addressing all the issues with their app! I have constant disconnection issues with my systems now. Something that I never had issues with before this stupid app update!
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
My household has just given up on using that app at all... but a push of the wrong button on the remote and it pops up anyway.
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Heads up — you can change the behavior of that remote button in the Settings. :)

It took me probably 60 seconds after boot-up to become agitated with that button and I realized something had to change.
 
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Oh, absolutely nothing screams innovation like blindly worshipping a trillion-dollar company while foaming at the mouth over any competitor daring to exist. Its hilarious watching Apple fanboys act like every minor software update is the second coming while trashing companies that actually push boundaries. Competition drives progress, but sure, let’s all pretend Apple invents everything while charging $1,500 for slightly better cameras and removing features they’ll revolutionize five years later.
 
A satisfied Sonos user that survived the App fiasco. Sonos will first need to demonstrate it just works first and foremost. I use Apple TV, not overly impressed with the user experience. Will see what Apple and Sonos deliver.
 
Perhaps this is ever so slightly off topic, but it was mentioned in the article...

The article suggests that the Sonos Ace headphones didn't receive very good reviews. MacRumor's very own report by Dan when they launched was a glowing review from what I recall and he certainly rated them way ahead of Apple's headphones. I've been thinking about getting a pair of Sonos Ace headphones to use with my Sonos Arc. Did I miss something?
 
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