The Vergecast Sonos CEO Patrick Spence: "There's no category of audio that I don't think we want to explore"
Sep 5, 2019
Patrick Spence, CEO of Sonos, shares his insights on the brand's latest innovations after unveiling the Sonos Move, their first portable Bluetooth speaker. He discusses the challenges of integrating Bluetooth technology while maintaining sound quality. The conversation touches on the potential for voice integration with Siri and highlights the importance of their TruePlay technology for optimized audio experiences. Spence also explores the balance between innovation and consumer choice in the evolving home audio landscape, ensuring that Sonos stays ahead of the curve.
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Bluetooth Debate
- Sonos initially resisted making a Bluetooth speaker, viewing Bluetooth as inferior.
- CEO Patrick Spence challenged this "sacred cow," leading to internal debates and "yelling."
Wi-Fi vs. Bluetooth
- Sonos prioritized a seamless listening experience, which Bluetooth sometimes couldn't guarantee.
- The company worried about music stopping when someone left the Wi-Fi range.
Embracing Failure
- Allow teams to make mistakes and fail while innovating.
- Give people permission to explore new ideas to overcome cultural resistance.