Sonos Debuts Ace Ultra, Beam Ultra, AI-Powered App — SkimNews
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- Sonos 27 app update introduces generative AI features including Sonos 27voice for voice commands and Model Context Protocol to connect with AI services like ChatGPT, with all AI features opt-in per VP of software Sid Patel
- Sonos Ace Ultra headphones offer 35-hour battery life and Wi-Fi connectivity to other Sonos speakers via Sonos Fabric, letting users push music to the headphones with a single button press
- Sonos Beam Ultra soundbar features nine drivers (four more than the previous Beam), upward-firing drivers for ceiling-bounced acoustics, AI speech enhancement, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI eARC connectivity
- Sonos Fabric is the new official name for Sonos's cross-room networking technology, debuting "portable surround" (move speakers between rooms while they sync) and "Headphone Linking" (switch playback between speakers and headphones)
- Sonos confirmed Sonos 27 will work on the S2 app but not the S1 app, meaning owners of older Sonos hardware cannot access the new AI features, though the company withheld specific per-product compatibility details
- Brandon Holley, Sonos interim hardware lead, said the company wants to be seen as an "audio operating system" rather than a speaker company, framing the announcements as a strategic repositioning
Why it matters: Sonos is betting that AI-driven voice control and seamless cross-device syncing can rebuild consumer trust after the disastrous 2024 app redesign that cost the company its CEO — but owners of legacy S1-compatible hardware will be locked out of the new features, deepening the split between newer and older customers who already weathered the original app fiasco.
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