In a surprising move, Sonos has quietly scrapped plans to launch its long-rumored Android streaming device, codenamed Pinewood. The decision marks a strategic pivot for the audio giant, which had been developing the product to compete in the crowded streaming hardware market. According to a report by The Verge, internal sources confirmed the project’s cancellation, citing shifting priorities and a desire to double down on Sonos’s core strengths: premium wireless speakers and home audio systems.
What Was Pinewood?
Pinewood was envisioned as a compact streaming box running Android TV, designed to rival popular devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, and Google Chromecast. Leaked details suggested it would integrate seamlessly with Sonos’s existing ecosystem, offering voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and access to major streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+. The device aimed to bridge the gap between Sonos’s audio-first products and the visual-centric streaming market, but insiders say development hurdles and market saturation ultimately led to its demise.
Why Did Sonos Back Out?
The streaming hardware space is notoriously competitive, with slim profit margins and dominant players like Roku and Amazon controlling much of the market. For Sonos, branching into this arena may have posed too great a risk. A company spokesperson hinted at the challenges in a recent statement: “We’re constantly evaluating our roadmap to ensure we’re delivering the best experiences for our customers. Sometimes that means making tough decisions to focus on what we do best.”
Industry analysts speculate that Sonos may also be reallocating resources toward its upcoming audio innovations, including rumored partnerships with spatial audio platforms or expanded voice-control capabilities. The company’s recent emphasis on software updates for its speakers, like the Sonos Ace headphones and Era 300 spatial audio tweaks, underscores this refocused strategy.
What’s Next for Sonos Fans?
While the cancellation disappoints tech enthusiasts eager for a Sonos-branded streaming box, the company assures users that existing products will continue to receive support. Those invested in the Sonos ecosystem can still stream content via third-party devices linked to their speakers, such as Apple AirPlay or Spotify Connect.
The move highlights Sonos’s balancing act: innovating without overextending. As CEO Patrick Spence once noted, “Our goal is to enrich the home listening experience—wherever music and audio take us.” For now, it seems that journey won’t include a detour into streaming sticks.
This story is developing. For more details, read the original report here.