Source: The Verge
Summary
Sonos has announced a new portable speaker that can be used both inside and outside the home. The device is designed to seamlessly transition between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, allowing users to take it on the go. According to Sonos, the speaker is weather-resistant and has a battery life of up to 10 hours. The company also claims that the speaker will receive software updates to add new features over time. The new Sonos Play is set to be released in the spring.
Our Reading
The launch follows a familiar script.
Sonos is rebranding a battery and a weather-resistant design as “portable”. The new speaker is just a variation of existing products, with a battery life that’s just “up to” 10 hours. Because what’s a portable speaker without some uncertainty around battery life? The promise of software updates is just a reminder that the product is incomplete at launch. It’s just another iteration of the same idea, because that’s what “innovation” looks like nowadays.
Author: Evan Null
Portability: A Familiar Feature
It’s not like we haven’t seen this before. Portable speakers with batteries and weather-resistant designs have been around for years. So, what makes this one special? Oh right, it’s from Sonos, so it must be innovative.
The Battery Life Uncertainty
“Up to 10 hours” of battery life doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. It’s like saying a car can go “up to” 300 miles on a tank of gas. What’s the real number? We’ll never know.
Software Updates: A Promise of Incompleteness
The promise of software updates is just a reminder that the product isn’t finished yet. It’s like buying a car that’s still in beta testing. But hey, at least you’ll get to experience the thrill of possibly getting new features in the future.
The Iterative Nature of Innovation
This is just another example of how innovation has become an iterative process. Take an existing product, add a few minor features, and call it a day. It’s not like we’re expecting actual breakthroughs or anything.
The Price of “Innovation”
The new Sonos Play is set to be released in the spring, which means we can expect a hefty price tag to come with it. Because, you know, innovation doesn’t come cheap. Or does it?
