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Founded in 2002, '''[[Wikipedia:Sonos|Sonos, Inc.]]''', is an American company that specializes in audio devices, including wireless speakers, home theater systems, and headphones.
Founded in 2002, '''[[Wikipedia:Sonos|Sonos, Inc.]]''', is an American company that specializes in audio devices, including wireless speakers, home theater systems, and headphones.


== Bricking of CR-100 controllers ==
== Bricking of CR-100 Controllers ==


In 2018, citing an aging processor and lithium-ion battery, Sonos announced the release of software version 8.5, which would discontinue support for the controller<ref name=":0">https://www.techradar.com/news/sonos-finally-kills-off-cr100-controller-and-long-time-fans-arent-happy</ref>. After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and unable to be able to be connected to another system<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnfqzBF3fw</ref>. Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers<ref name=":0" /> however, it is important to note that Sonos did not offer a similar product for sale. A discussion thread was initiated on the Sonos forum by dissatisfied users urging the company to reconsider its decision to discontinue the controller<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220823113720/https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/save-the-cr100-6800510</ref> but ultimately, their efforts were unsuccessful.
In 2018, citing an aging processor and lithium-ion battery, Sonos announced the release of software version 8.5, which would discontinue support for the controller.<ref name=":0">https://www.techradar.com/news/sonos-finally-kills-off-cr100-controller-and-long-time-fans-arent-happy</ref> After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and would be unable to connect to another system.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnfqzBF3fw</ref> Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers,<ref name=":0" /> however, it is important to note that Sonos did not offer a similar product for sale. A discussion thread was initiated on the Sonos forum by dissatisfied users urging the company to reconsider its decision to discontinue the controller,<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220823113720/https://en.community.sonos.com/controllers-software-228995/save-the-cr100-6800510</ref> but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.


== "Recycle mode" ==
== "Recycle Mode" ==


In 2019, Sonos rendered formerly perfectly working devices, such as Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1) into paperweights by disabling them altogether because those devices were no longer receiving software updates. Customers were offered a 30 percent discount on a new Sonos device if they accepted Sonos to intentionally remotely bricking their existing device. Once a device is in Sonos' "Recycle Mode," it can no longer be used.<ref>https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/unable-to-set-up-a-sonos-product-in-recycle-mode</ref><ref>https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-31-sonos-recycle-mode-explanation-falls-flat.html</ref> Sonos later ended this highly controversial and environmentally unfriendly program, but the damage was already done to otherwise still working hardware.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21166777/sonos-ending-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-sustainability</ref>
In 2019, Sonos rendered formerly perfectly working devices, such as Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1) into paperweights by disabling them altogether, because those devices were no longer receiving software updates. Customers were offered a 30 percent discount on a new Sonos device if they accepted Sonos to intentionally remotely bricking their existing device. Once a device is in Sonos' "Recycle Mode," it can no longer be used.<ref>https://support.sonos.com/en-us/article/unable-to-set-up-a-sonos-product-in-recycle-mode</ref><ref>https://www.engadget.com/2019-12-31-sonos-recycle-mode-explanation-falls-flat.html</ref> Sonos later ended this highly controversial and environmentally unfriendly program, but the damage was already done to otherwise still working hardware.<ref>https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/5/21166777/sonos-ending-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-sustainability</ref>


However, since 2023, an open source project was created to recover devices that Sonos had put into "Recycle Mode."<ref>https://github.com/dbmaxpayne/Sonos-DSP</ref>
However, since 2023, an open source project was created to recover devices that Sonos had put into "Recycle Mode."<ref>https://github.com/dbmaxpayne/Sonos-DSP</ref>

Revision as of 22:09, 20 January 2025

Sonos
Basic information
Founded 2002
Type {{{Type}}}
Industry Audio Equipment
Official website https://sonos.com


Founded in 2002, Sonos, Inc., is an American company that specializes in audio devices, including wireless speakers, home theater systems, and headphones.

Bricking of CR-100 Controllers

In 2018, citing an aging processor and lithium-ion battery, Sonos announced the release of software version 8.5, which would discontinue support for the controller.[1] After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and would be unable to connect to another system.[2] Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers,[1] however, it is important to note that Sonos did not offer a similar product for sale. A discussion thread was initiated on the Sonos forum by dissatisfied users urging the company to reconsider its decision to discontinue the controller,[3] but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

"Recycle Mode"

In 2019, Sonos rendered formerly perfectly working devices, such as Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1) into paperweights by disabling them altogether, because those devices were no longer receiving software updates. Customers were offered a 30 percent discount on a new Sonos device if they accepted Sonos to intentionally remotely bricking their existing device. Once a device is in Sonos' "Recycle Mode," it can no longer be used.[4][5] Sonos later ended this highly controversial and environmentally unfriendly program, but the damage was already done to otherwise still working hardware.[6]

However, since 2023, an open source project was created to recover devices that Sonos had put into "Recycle Mode."[7]

References