Sonos has confirmed that it will be ending software updates in May for some of its older-model products that are classified as “legacy” devices. This means these speakers will no longer have access to software updates and new features.
The products that fall into this legacy categorization include the ZP80, ZP90, ZP100, ZP 120, the Connect and Connect: Amp that was manufactured between 2011 and 2015, the Play:5 Gen-1, Bridge, and CR200. All of these products were introduced between 2005 and 2011, and Sonos says they “do not have enough memory or processing power to sustain future innovation.”
Any system including one or more of these legacy products will no longer receive software updates and new features, which could eventually disrupt access to services and overall functionality.
“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,” writes the company in a blog post. “Without new software updates, access to services and overall functionality of your sound system will eventually be disrupted, particularly as partners evolve their technology.”
Sonos says customers can continue to use the legacy products with the understanding that they will no longer receive software updates and new features or trade up to a new Sonos product and receive a 30% credit for each legacy product that is replaced. Check the System tab in your Sonos.com account to see if your products are affected.
Those who choose to participate in the trade-up program will have their legacy products put into Recycle Mode, which will delete all personally identifiable information and prepare them for e-recycling. This Mode also protects unsuspecting people from buying legacy products that are approaching the end of their useful life.
To dispose of legacy products safely and in an environmentally-friendly way, take them to a nearby certified e-recycling facility. If there isn’t one in your area, Sonos will pay for you to ship the products back to the company for responsible recycling.
“Ideally all our products would last forever,” writes Sonos, “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.”
Updated will stop starting in May 2020 but there will be no immediate impact until new functionality and services are launched. This could include a music service partner, for instance, issuing a new update that isn’t backwards compatible with the legacy software. The Trade-Up program launched on October 30, 2019. Retailers can become a Trade Up partner by contacting their Sonos account managers to discuss the terms of the program along with reporting and recycling requirements.
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