Streaming Box Speculations, Leaks, and Preferred Features for Sonos' Competitor to Apple TV
In the world of streaming devices, Sonos, a well-known name in premium wireless audio, is reportedly planning to enter the market with a new video streaming box. Codenamed Pinewood, the device is expected to rival the likes of Apple TV 4K, Google TV Streamer, and Amazon Fire TV Stick.
According to recent reports, the Sonos streaming box may be delayed from its initial rumored launch around the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. No future timeframe has been provided yet.
If the rumors hold true, the Sonos streaming box could cost between £200 / $200 (around AU$300) and £400 / $400 (around AU$600), making it pricier than its rivals. Sonos operates at the upper end of the market with every device it makes, but a streaming box at this price will have to do a lot to justify the extra cost.
The design of the Sonos streaming box is said to follow the company's function-over-form approach, with a focus on what works over what looks most modern. From the top, the device resembles an Apple TV, being a flattened black square and slightly thicker than a deck of trading cards.
The Sonos streaming box is expected to support Dolby Atmos and HDR, and may act as the source for up to four of Sonos' wireless speakers, potentially creating a formidable Dolby Atmos setup. It is also rumored to run on the Android operating system.
In terms of features, the Sonos streaming box may bring together various streaming apps in a "single, unified software experience," offering a more sophisticated and less fragmented streaming app experience across Netflix, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video compared to current devices. It is also expected to serve as an HDMI switch and have several HDMI ports with passthrough functionality, allowing external devices such as gaming consoles or 4K Blu-ray players to be plugged in.
The Sonos streaming box may also feature a design similar to the Sonos Era speakers, with a recessed volume trough and capacitive touch-sensitive buttons. It is also said to be in talks with Netflix about developing an app for the device.
However, Sonos has not officially announced a video streaming box yet. The company's recent updates and announcements focus primarily on their audio products and software improvements. Sonos remains mainly a premium wireless audio and smart speaker company, and their software updates continue enhancing the audio ecosystem rather than extending into video streaming hardware.
The last time Sonos entered a new market was with its Ace wireless headphones, which were priced at £449 / $449 / AU$699. However, the headphones were reportedly selling poorly, which isn't too promising for the Sonos streaming box.
As of now, we will have to wait and see if Sonos can successfully enter the video streaming market and compete with established players like Apple, Google, and Amazon.
- Sonos, a premier wireless audio company, is rumored to enter the video streaming market with a new device called Pinewood.
- Pinewood is expected to rival devices like Apple TV 4K, Google TV Streamer, and Amazon Fire TV Stick.
- If launched, the Sonos streaming box could cost between £200 / $200 (around AU$300) and £400 / $400 (around AU$600).
- The Sonos streaming box is said to resemble an Apple TV in design, with a focus on functionality over aesthetics.
- The device is expected to support Dolby Atmos and HDR, and may act as a source for up to four wireless Sonos speakers.
- The streaming box may run on the Android operating system and could offer a more unified streaming app experience than current devices.
- It is also rumored to serve as an HDMI switch with several HDMI ports and passthrough functionality for external devices.
- The Sonos streaming box may feature a design similar to the Sonos Era speakers, with a recessed volume trough and capacitive touch-sensitive buttons.
