Retired Sonos Staff

End of Software Updates for Legacy Products

Related content:Software

1377 replies
91089 views

Please note that we’ve created a new thread with some clarifications to questions that have come up several times in this thread. Please see here to continue the discussion if you still have any questions. The information contained in this thread is outdated and may no longer be accurate.

We have some important news regarding our oldest Sonos devices shared on the Sonos Blog today. The text of that blog post is being included here for your convenience:

Starting in May 2020, some of our oldest products will no longer receive software updates or new features. We want to explain why and your options.

When we first set out almost 20 years ago to invent the technology to easily listen to any song in any room, most of the ways we listen to music today did not exist. In fact, the first Sonos products were introduced before the first iPhone was announced and when Myspace still ruled social media.

In order to invent multi-room music and smart speakers, we combined the worlds of high-fidelity audio and computing. Every Sonos product has a microprocessor, flash memory, and other hardware components typically found in computers and smartphones.

Since launching our first products, technology has advanced at an exponential rate; from streaming services and voice assistants to wireless networking and Bluetooth capabilities. Through all of this transformation, we have continued delivering new features via software updates. We’re extremely proud of the fact that we build products that last a long time, and that listeners continue to enjoy them. In fact, 92% of the products we’ve ever shipped are still in use today. That is unheard of in the world of consumer electronics. However, we’ve now come to a point where some of the oldest products have been stretched to their technical limits in terms of memory and processing power.

This coming May, these legacy products—our 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)—will no longer receive software updates or new features.

Today the Sonos experience relies on an interconnected ecosystem, giving you access to more than 100 streaming services, voice assistants, and control options like Apple AirPlay 2. Without new software updates, access to services and overall functionality of your sound system will eventually be disrupted, particularly as partners evolve their technology.

To help you through this transition, we’re providing two options:

Option 1: Continue using these legacy products, recognizing that your system will no longer receive software updates and new features.

Option 2: Trade up to a new Sonos product with a 30% credit for each legacy product you replace.

If you’re not sure if your products are affected, you can check in the System tab in your sonos.com-account

If you choose to participate in the trade up program, your legacy products will be put in Recycle Mode, a state that deletes personally identifiable information and prepares these products for e-recycling. Recycle Mode also protects unsuspecting people from buying legacy products that are approaching the end of their useful life and won’t provide the Sonos experience customers expect today. Recycle Mode will only apply to the legacy products listed above.

We ask that you take your legacy products to a nearby certified e-recycling facility. This is the most environmentally friendly way to recycle. That said, if there isn’t a facility in your area, we are happy to pay for you to ship your products back to Sonos for responsible recycling.

Ideally all our products would last forever, but for now we’re limited by the existing technology. Our responsibility here is threefold: build products that last a long time; continually look for ways to make our products more environmentally friendly through materials, packaging, and our supply chain and take responsibility for helping you through the transition once products near the end of their useful life.

We’ve always believed in freedom of choice, whether that means choosing a certain streaming service or way to control your listening experience. We hope the choices provided here—continuing to use these products without new software updates or trading up to our modern products—enable you to make the choice that’s right for you.

We are honored to have a place in your home and want to make sure that we help continue to bring the best experience we can, even when products reach the end of their useful life.

More information.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.

Show previous replies

Z

zatman1

Lyricist I

There’s not much more outrage that I can add that hasn’t already been included, but I still feel the need to vent. I have 10 Sonos products from the unfortunate Play5 through the Move. Several costing upwards of $700 US each. I think it may be time to “Move” on. I’ve had vintage stereo gear and speakers that were 30 years old and running strong, but ditched all for this “high end” wireless system. That meant getting rid of much vinyl, CDs etc. Oh what a regret.

Bad, bad move Sonos. You better start thinking about the future customers that will now choose other systems even if you toss your loyal customers. I was even one of the testers for the Alexa integration.

Wise up Sonos. Someone there must have the vision to make this right.

Bob

P

Paul000000

Lyricist III

I have just posted a one * review on John Lewis website against a Sonos product stating that although the products are excellent, Sonos have just announced the obsolescence of a product which was on sale as late as late 2015. Avoid Sonos purchases at all costs.

Suggest each of you writes similar reviews on major retailers’ sites to cause severe commercial damage to the Sonos brand (which is in effect self-inflicted)

AGREED

The public will not see this thread. Go out and place reviews on youtube (Sonos channel especially), then all the big and small retailers.

Get the word out to the PUBLIC.

C

ChrisKalas

Lyricist III

Well Done Sonos,

Having been investing in your kit since 2010

I’m now left with ‘essentially’ a £1000 bill for support. (cost of direct replacement kit -30%)

I understand that some equipment may not meet the standards for the ‘New’ features, but as a premium manufacturer, I believe you should be treating your loyal customers, in a better way.

If I follow this through to it’s logical conclusion, ALL my kit will need to be replaced at some point.

I would strongly advise that you start listing EOSL (End Of Support Life) dates on your products, before you get sued.

Y

Yarmo

Contributor I

Sonos' extraordinary plan to remove support from loyal early customers is appalling and appallingly carried out. I have 5 Sonos products, 2 of which require a so-called "upgrade". I have recommended Sonos to family, friends, and businesses. No more. It's especially galling to be told that once you press the "recycle" button there is no way to stop the process -- and this is before you have told me how much it would cost! Are you trying to go out of business? I will be moving to a new system after 8 years of being an outspoken advocate.
I hope this note can be read by the head of the company.

A

ArbyTronic

Lyricist I

My old Kenwood amp from 1992 that my Connect is plugged into still works to this day without missing a beat. It will continue to work long after Sonos brick the Connect.

J

Jesmondo

Lyricist I

Hi,

I have a number of SONOS products, but am dismayed to see this. It’s not an acceptable stance to take from SONOS.

More to the point, I cannot justify investing more money into a company that treats it customers this way. So SONOS, unless you re-think this and come up with a better solution to the one announced, I will never buy another of your products.

P

PerfectSound

Lyricist III

If it was really an issue of memory, why not offer a “lite” version of the software/updates without all the bloatware that would continue to work on all products new and old?

Of course it’s not. You could still give bug fixes, security updates and that kind of basic stuff for the old version and extra unneeded (Alexa, voice controls etc.) updates for the new speakers.

How stupid do they think we are? You can write anything for your customers and we are just pack of lambs? Customers will accept everything and they will continue buying our products?

Sonos is (Or has been..) premium product with a premium price. You can easily imagine what kind of people are average Sonos multiroom system buyers. You should not underestimate of intelligence of average Sonos user.

J

JohnPea

Lyricist I

I couldn’t be more disappointed in Sonos. The thing they had going is that you could build a system by adding (expensive) parts, like Legos. To make speakers obsolete just to sell more new products is a shame.

I was just about to add a Move to my setup. Now I’m going to take another look at Apple HomePod and other options. I need to think about this. Is it time to cut my losses?

J

JohhnyBradders

Lyricist I

I think this announcement is a disgrace. I have like many others involved significant amount of money in sonos products around my home to keep one homogeneous system only to be told none of them can be updated whilst I have an old legacy product on my system.

What next, my whole cinema surround system incl sub, play 1 speakers and playbar are out of date and need replacing?

Really poor email received saying in future you cannot update your system but there’s a 30% discount on replacing the legacy equipment.

I for one will be looking in future for a non sonos solution starting with my “legacy” Play:5 device!

Z

zatman1

Lyricist I

I have just posted a one * review on John Lewis website against a Sonos product stating that although the products are excellent, Sonos have just announced the obsolescence of a product which was on sale as late as late 2015. Avoid Sonos purchases at all costs.

Suggest each of you writes similar reviews on major retailers’ sites to cause severe commercial damage to the Sonos brand (which is in effect self-inflicted)

AGREED

The public will not see this thread. Go out and place reviews on youtube (Sonos channel especially), then all the big and small retailers.

Get the word out to the PUBLIC.

Instagram, Facebook, anywhere people will see it. Very simple statement “As a Sonos speaker owner I can no longer, in good conscience, endorse the purchase of any Sonos products”.

Show more replies

Sign up

Login to the community