Sonos is facing a rocky road. Its highly anticipated streaming TV set-top box, codenamed “Pinewood,” has been postponed until next March, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.
This delay is a major setback for Sonos, which had been hoping to capitalize on the growing popularity of streaming TV services with a device that could rival the likes of Roku, Apple TV, and Google TV. The “Pinewood” box was rumored to be a powerful hub for both streaming content and Sonos’s existing audio products, featuring support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.
Unfortunately, software issues have hampered Sonos’s recent endeavors. The company’s revamped mobile app, launched in May, was met with widespread criticism for its lack of functionality and user-friendliness. Sonos CEO Patrick Spence issued a public apology in July, vowing to prioritize addressing the app’s problems.
It appears these software struggles have now spilled over to Sonos’s hardware plans. The delay of the “Pinewood” box suggests that the company is grappling with more than just surface-level app issues. Additionally, Gurman reports that sales of Sonos’s first headphones have been disappointing, leading to a significant reduction in production.
This confluence of challenges paints a worrying picture for Sonos. The company is facing increased competition in the audio market, while its foray into the streaming TV space has hit a major roadblock. It remains to be seen whether Sonos can overcome these obstacles and regain its footing.
