Sonos Legacy Gear Sunsetting Irks Customers

January 23, 2020 by Rebecca Day|Media Notes

Sonos upset customers with plans to no longer support older products. Users blasted the company. “Your system requires attention” messages went to customers Tuesday, alerting them to the end-of-software-update status of the original Zone Players, Connect, Connect:Amp, the first-generation Play:5, CR200 and Bridge, which launched at varying dates 2006-2009. Products will no longer be supported as of May. Boycottsonos.com appeared, spelling out the manufacturer’s plans. Many took to Twitter. One user emailed CEO Patrick Spence and encouraged others to do same. Its 2018 annual report acknowledged the risk it faces with hardware outliving its useful life in the digital age, saying in the “near to intermediate term” it could discontinue support for older versions of products, “resulting in customer dissatisfaction that could negatively affect our business and operating results.” The company didn't comment Wednesday.