Sonos Playbase And Boost Tipped Incoming
A pair of unannounced Sonos products have been heralded with trademark filings, the Sonos Boost and Playbase, though exactly what they might be is still unclear. Sonos' wireless music streaming system has for many been the go-to option for multi-zone entertainment, though in recent months has been under attack from rivals like LG's Music Flow.
Now, it seems, Sonos is readying its return strike. A screenshot from what appears to be an unreleased version of the Sonos iOS app was shared with Zatz Not Funny, revealing the identity of a so-called "Boost".
That turned up a 2013 trademark filing for the Boost, which in turn surfaced another trademark, this time for the Sonos Playbase. Of course, neither filing has any indication of what the products might do, exactly.
That hasn't stopped speculation, however. Given the mention the Boost is under the same category in the app as the Bridge, which has so-far been used by Sonos as an easy way to connect a regular home network to the proprietary wireless its speakers use, that implies it's not another speaker for the range.
Sonos is doing away with its Bridge requirement anyway, in an upcoming update. However, the Boost could well be a WiFi network expander or repeater, designed to fill in poor coverage in the home which might degrade streaming playback quality.
As for the Playbase, that's even more mysterious. One suggestion is that it's a combination TV stand and speaker system, perhaps building on the existing Playbar, though it could also be some sort of battery-powered speaker for portable use, as many hoped the Play:1 would turn out to be.
VIA Zatz Not Funny