Sonos has abruptly ended development on its streaming set-top box, a project that was expected to launch in 2025, according to a report from The Verge.
The device, which had been in the works for months under the internal codename “Pinewood,” was intended to compete with Apple TV and other streaming platforms. However, interim CEO Tom Conrad has decided to scrap the initiative and redirect the company’s focus toward other priorities.
The decision comes after Sonos invested significant resources into the device, moving it into beta testing and preparing for an official release. The streaming box was expected to be priced between $200 and $400, featuring a sleek black design and an Android-based interface that integrated popular streaming services like Netflix, Max, and Disney Plus.
Unlike standard streaming devices, Sonos' now-canceled set-top box was designed to function as an HDMI switch, allowing users to connect gaming consoles, soundbars, and other home entertainment devices while reducing latency—an issue that has long affected Sonos' ecosystem. The company aimed to address fragmentation in the streaming market, creating a device that combined audio and video functionality in a way that competitors had not.
Despite nearing completion, Sonos made the unexpected decision to cancel the project and reassign employees who had been working on it to other teams. The Verge reports that Conrad, who took over as interim CEO following Patrick Spence’s departure, is restructuring Sonos’ roadmap, with a renewed emphasis on software improvements rather than new product categories.
This shift follows widespread backlash over Sonos' controversial app redesign in May 2024, which resulted in usability issues and complaints from longtime customers. With the set-top box now off the table, the company appears to be prioritizing fixing its software experience and reinforcing its position in the home audio market.
While Sonos has stepped away from video hardware for now, the company’s decision raises questions about its long-term growth strategy. Whether it will revisit its streaming ambitions in the future remains uncertain, but for the time being, Sonos is pulling back to refocus on its core audio business.
