Sonos’ triumphant return with a revolutionary streaming box

2024 was a challenging year for Sonos. The company made a major misstep with its mobile app redesign, leaving users disillusioned. Now, Sonos is on a mission to regain their trust by venturing into a new product category.

Sonos’ New Frontier

According to The Verge, Sonos is set to release a streaming box, codenamed Pinewood, priced between $200 and $400. This Android-based device resembles a flattened black square, slightly thicker than a deck of trading cards. The Pinewood streamer promises a seamless experience by offering content from popular platforms like Netflix, Max, and Disney+ with a unified user interface and universal search feature. It will also include a physical remote control unit with integrated voice commands.

Unique Features

Beyond streaming capabilities, the Pinewood streamer stands out with HDMI passthrough functionality, allowing users to connect gaming consoles and 4K Blu-ray players. Additionally, the device offers lag-free audio transmission to Sonos soundbars and speakers, enabling users to configure surround sound using their existing Sonos speakers.

It’s clear that Sonos is aiming for the Pinewood streamer to be a central component in users’ home entertainment setups. However, the company faces challenges, especially after the integration issues caused by the recent app overhaul. With strong competition in the streaming box market, including Apple TV and Amazon’s Fire TV stick, Sonos must ensure a smooth launch for the Pinewood streamer to succeed.

Topics: Streaming