There’s no denying that audio brand Sonos makes some amazing tech. The company is a consistent Stuff Gadget Awards winner, but it’s only just entered the mobile audio market. The Sonos Roam is an excellent debut for a properly portable speaker but where does the company go next?
Headphones make a fair amount of sense. Last year, we saw the brand had filed a patent application for a set of noise-cancelling headphones. Now, a new acquisition might have pushed them closer to release.
A set of Sonos cans
Tech website Protocol reports that Sonos has acquired an American Bluetooth audio startup, T2 Software. T2 specialises in Bluetooth LE Audio, a standard that might improve audio quality over Bluetooth while sparing precious battery life.
The software T2 creates would be perfect for headphones. Or further Bluetooth speakers, fair enough. But the company is being cagey. Sonos confirmed that it bought T2 Software, but wasn’t about to elaborate on that company’s purpose.
“Occasionally, we will acquire teams, talent, and/or technology that augment our existing and future product roadmap,” was all a Sonos spokesperson was willing to give up on the subject. Headphones certainly may be on the menu — the company’s definitely exploring the idea — but we might see more speakers like the Roam before that happens.
The Bluetooth LC3 codec that T2 Software was working on prior to acquisition is “…designed to achieve high-quality audio at much lower data rates than the current used in Bluetooth audio solutions today, thus achieving lower power consumption.” That’s the explanation from the company’s now-shuttered website. It’s undeniable that it’d be perfect for headphones, but it’d also kick a new batch of portable speakers up a notch. We’ll have to wait and see what Sonos is incubating, at least for the moment.
Source: Protocol