Sonos

Sonos

Basic information
Founded	2002
Type	Public
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. After the update was applied to a system, the CR-100 would be permanently bricked, and would be unable to connect to another system. Sonos offered a coupon of $100 to affected customers, 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, but their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Recycle Mode

In 2019, Sonos started offering customers a 30 percent discount on a new device, in exchange for allowing the company to remotely brick their existing Sonos device. Sonos calls this "Recycle Mode". The software lockout renders a working device permanently inoperable, turning it into e-waste. Affected devices include Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP90, ZP80, ZP100, ZP120, and Play:5 (Gen 1).

The practice of intentionally breaking devices sparked controversy and boycotts. In a response to the controversy, Sonos CEO suggested that the customers are "confused", but ultimately the company gave in, and stopped bricking devices as part of their trade-up program. However, devices that Sonos had already bricked remain unusable. Instead of unlocking affected devices, the company offers disposal as the only option.

An open source project started in 2023 attempts to repair a Play:5 (Gen 1) speaker bricked with Recycle Mode.

Forced app download

Sonos has been a big practitioner of the forced app download experience since at least 2017. Sonos makes it nearly impossible for their customers to use their purchased hardware without an app and/or internet connection. Even though it is possible to use Sonos speakers without an app, initial setup has required the download and use of Sonos' app since at least May 2022.

"Yes you can (use the Sonos Roam speaker without an app). However, you will need to set it up for the first time using the app." (May 2022)

In addition, not all Sonos products support use without an app (April 2023) and even if they do, sans-app usability is only limited to one speaker.

"You can use speakers without an app, but it only applies to a single speaker. If you want to play audio across multiple speakers, you will have to use the app and there is no other workaround to this." (Dec 2021)