After what was truly a rough 2024 for Sonos, the audio specialists have something big planned for 2025, and it isn’t what you might think. According to a report from The Verge, Sonos is gearing up to release its very own TV box in 2025. One that won’t just slap the Sonos logo on something from Skyworth’s catalogue and call it a day.
Putting Sonos on TV
Codenamed Pinewood, Sonos’ big ideas involve a streaming device that could cost customers between $200-$400 (R3,700-7,400) a pop, blowing every single other product in this category out of the water. If the rumours of the company’s rectangular box are true, it might even be worth the price.
The Verge’s Chris Welch claims he’s seen images of the device, which is “deep into development,” and does nothing to discern itself from the rest of the overcrowded market. It’s only slightly thicker than a pack of playing cards and coats itself in a simple black cloak. Given Sonos’ recent controversies surrounding its new app, we were surprised to hear that the streamer’s UI is “beautiful” and a clear cut above all the rest.
While streaming is certainly a “huge focus” for Pinewood – it’s not the only thing it has going for it. Sources familiar with the device reckon a big piece of the puzzle to make Pinewood work is consolidating all the big streamer’s content under one, more cohesive banner. We’re not quite sure how it’ll differ from Google’s Android TV system, with Pinewood even mimicking the universal search and voice control features.
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The real attraction will be the device’s ability to act as both a streaming hub as well as an HDMI switch, featuring several HDMI ports on its back, acting as a go-between the TV and all those nasty cables jutting from your console and other media sources. It’ll transmit lag-free audio between itself and your TV – an issue that has plagued Sonos for years. A tighter grip on the I/O elements at play could prove beneficial to its other products.
Namely its long line of soundbars and speakers – which would work in tandem with the streamer, allowing for a whole lot more customisation in the surround sound department. Two Era 300s, for instance, could be placed strategically around the room to complete the set-up although Sonos hasn’t yet finalised which devices will be supported.
Other hardware components include gigabit ethernet and Wi-Fi 7 support, further propelling the rumours of the $200+ price. The project is reportedly an infatuation of the company’s chief innovation officer Nick Millington and greenlit by Patrick Spence, Sonos’ former CEO. It’s worth noting that Sonos hasn’t yet announced the project, so some of the features mentioned might see the light – at least in this first iteration – but they aren’t guaranteed yet.
