CEO of speaker and home audio maker Sonos John MacFarlane stated in a blog post saying that the industry will be laying off employees to adapt to a different approach concerning the music company by offering paid streaming and voice control.
MacFarlane said, "We know the future is one where paid streaming and voice control play significant roles, and we're committed to running a sustainable, profitable business so that we can fund innovation in these and other areas for decades to come. These last few weeks have been tough for everyone at Sonos. We're a tight bunch, so saying goodbye is particularly painful. But I know that making these changes is the right thing to do for Sonos as we look to the future."
Sonos creates a wireless sound system that powers to an integrated app which is streamed by major music services such as Apple Music, Spotify and Soundcloud. The product has become known for its flexible use and connectivity to multiple speakers. But now it has reached a point where the company is facing other giant techs that are competing to provide their own line of products of wireless home audio such as Samsung and Google.
MacFarlane said that the company is doubling down on its long-held conviction that streaming music is dominating the form of consumption in the present and in the future. He also added that voice control has a significant role in the company's plan in the future, where many consumers are adopting to products like Amazon Echo.
Sonos has a history dealing with many music streaming services before the dawn of smartphones came about, such as Rhapsody where they offered simple solution to in-home digital music. Dating back a few years ago where Sonos was on top of its game leading a market of in-home digital music. Its products were similar to Apple due to its easy set ups and the packing of quality sounds into small packages.
