Sonos CEO Tom Conrad, who became permanent CEO in early 2026 after initially serving as interim CEO in early 2025, recently shared insights into the company’s transformation and its upcoming platform, Sonos 27. Conrad emphasized that Sonos is not just a hardware company, nor is it solely a software company—it is both. The company has shifted its focus from producing individual products to creating a cohesive, integrated audio system for the home. This change in perspective has helped Sonos recenter its strategy and operations. Conrad acknowledged a major challenge in 2024 when a poorly received app redesign led to a leadership shake-up and his own appointment as interim CEO. He praised the board’s decision to change leadership, which he believes was critical for the company’s progress. During his time in the role, Conrad focused on stabilizing operations and reorganizing the company into a more functional structure. This restructuring allowed cross-functional teams to work on the most important projects, and the company now has around 1,500 employees. On the software front, Conrad highlighted the company’s embrace of modern development tools, including AI and agentic coding, which have transformed how Sonos builds its software. He described a shift from traditional roles in product management and design to a more flexible model that enables faster prototyping and development. Additionally, the company has decided to discontinue a product called Pinewood, a set-top box that would integrate streaming services, as part of a strategic effort to focus on its core strengths. The new Sonos 27 platform, named after the year 2027, aims to create an ecosystem where various home services can integrate seamlessly. It includes a powerful audio tuning system called Trueplay and new control options like apps, voice commands, web interfaces, and a new voice assistant experience. Users will also be able to connect external AI assistants, such as ChatGPT, through a feature called MCP. While Sonos and Google are involved in an ongoing legal dispute, the company still values its relationship with Google and hopes to continue collaboration, though Google’s Gemini assistant is not currently available on Sonos devices. Conrad also mentioned efforts to integrate with smart home standards like Matter and to bring Amazon’s Alexa Plus to the Sonos platform. Looking ahead, Conrad envisions Sonos 27 as an ambient assistant that can interact with other smart home devices, delivering a comprehensive and accessible audio experience. The company is also launching new hardware, including a high-end soundbar called Beam Ultra and new headphones, with the Beam Ultra supporting advanced Atmos audio. Conrad concluded by emphasizing the importance of customer feedback and the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and improvement.