Sonos Stops Updating Its Oldest Devices
The home audio brand Sonos has announced that it is permanently stopping software support for several of its longest-standing products. Models like the first Play:5 or the Connect will no longer receive system updates. This means that, although the speakers can continue playing sound, they are excluded from any new features or services that require a newer firmware version. 🎵
Incompatibility Divides the Sound System
The most direct impact for users is that it is no longer possible to group these old devices with new models within the Sonos app. A classic speaker and a modern one cannot synchronize to create multiroom audio, which breaks the unified experience that characterizes the brand. Owners see their system split into two separate and incompatible groups within the same home.
Consequences of Fragmentation:- Inability to create a synchronized whole-home sound system with all devices.
- Loss of access to new integrations with streaming services or voice assistants.
- Potential risk of devices without security patches becoming vulnerable.
The hardware works, but the software declares it obsolete.
Limited Options for Affected Users
Facing this situation, alternatives for owners of these devices are scarce. They can keep them on an isolated network, use them independently as standalone units, or, if they took advantage of the opportunity window, opt for a trade-in program that offered a discount for recycling the old hardware. This last option, now closed, directly encouraged replacing equipment that is still functional.
Possible Scenarios with Unsupported Equipment:- Use the speakers only to play audio from analog or local sources.
- Be excluded from future updates to third-party apps like Spotify or Apple Music.
- Face a choice between settling for basic functions or investing in new hardware.
A New Nuance for Obsolescence
The situation raises a reflection on planned obsolescence in the software era. The irony is palpable: a system designed to integrate sound in the home ends up dividing it, not due to a hardware defect, but because of a strategic decision about the software lifecycle. This redefines how companies can limit the lifespan of products that physically continue to operate normally.