Sonos’ customers took to Twitter their disappointment over Sonos’ decision to stop providing software updates or new features to its older speakers come May this year. California-based Sonos made the announcement recently in its blog, citing old products “have been stretched to their technical limits in terms of memory and processing power.” Affected legacy products are namely original Zone Players, Connect, and Connect:Amp (launched in 2006; includes versions sold until 2015), first-generation Play:5 (launched 2009), CR200 (launched 2009), and Bridge (launched 2007). All Sonos products rely on an interconnected ecosystem which gives you access to over 100 streaming services, voice assistants, and control options. Without the provision of new software updates, access to services and overall functionality of the sound device will eventually be disrupted.
Storm Against Sonos on Twitter
Customers around the world, especially those who claim to have spent hundreds of dollars for their Sonos experience over the years, slammed the audio device manufacturer for its latest policy and created a #boycottSonos. User Cass Crockatt demanded an apology and a retreat from the move, saying “I’m not being overly dramatic to say that any other action is the death of your company.” Twitter user Jason Pye expressed his firm decision to stop supporting the brand which he initially considered to be loyal to for his audio product needs. Jeff Seely, another Twitter user, said Sonos exemplifies as a case study of how management decisions resulted in a company’s end. Mats B. Pettersen, another once avid fan of Sonos who claimed to have been “investing” in the Sonos system since 2007, committed “Never again!” to purchase any Sonos product.
A “Boycott Sonos” Website
The protest has gone far as to the creation of a Boycott Sonos website, which welcomes visitors with the line “DON’T TRUST SONOS TO SUPPORT THEIR PRODUCTS.” The website attached details of the email they sent as warning and suggestions on what affected users can do. It added:
How Customers Can Transition
The audio product manufacturer provided its clients with two options in dealing with the change: Personally, I would never buy another Sonos product again. I already have £800 worth of now obsolete Sonos gear and I assume it won’t be long before the Play:3s are dropped too.” For those unable to take devices to an e-waste facility, Sonos have said that it will pay delivery charges to have affected items shipped to the company for recycling. But with the rage aired by Sonos customers on social media, it seems the trash bin is where most of these affected products will go.
