On the eve of the upcoming patent trial in the matter of Sonos, Inc. [Nasdaq: SONO], vs. Google, LLC [Nasdaq: GOOG], both parties had submitted motions for summary judgment trying to win as many points as possible while also clearing away as many outstanding issues as possible to limit the number of factual matters to be determined at trial by a jury. It has been a long and winding road to get to this point, but one thing seems clear to me, Sonos may have gotten more than they bargained for, as this action with Google, their largest adversary by far, appears to have taken a bit of a toll.
Sonos
Sonos Launches New Era 300 and Era 100 Smart Speakers Featuring Spatial Audio
Sonos (NASDAQ: SONO) announced on Tuesday that it has launched two new smart speakers that implement spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience. The company says these new models are the next-generation of smart speakers, utilizing Dolby Atmos technology to launch “…a whole new chapter in sound and design innovation.” They also call them “revolutionary” and “bold” and the “best experience for out loud spatial listening.”
Learn more about the Sonos Era 300 and Era 100
[Read more…] about Sonos Launches New Era 300 and Era 100 Smart Speakers Featuring Spatial AudioSonos Q1 Report: Revenue? Flat. Profits? Down. Stock Price? WAY Up. Wait, What?
Wall Street can be a fickle partner sometimes. Occasionally, a company will turn in a good performance, but its stock value will decline anyway because the performance wasn’t as good as financial analysts had expected. And sometimes, as is the case this time with Sonos’ fiscal 2023 first quarter results, you can turn in poor performance, and your stock value can take off flying – because this time, your performance was not good, but not as bad as the financial analysts had expected.
See more on the Sonos fiscal 2023 first-quarter performance
[Read more…] about Sonos Q1 Report: Revenue? Flat. Profits? Down. Stock Price? WAY Up. Wait, What?Select Tech Stories from CEDIA Expo 2022
This post will present some of the top tech stories from CEDIA Expo 2022. You know, covering a trade show like Expo has always been a particular challenge for me. As someone who is always looking for a good story, going to a trade show with hundreds of exhibits is a bit like trying to take a sip of water from a fire hose. Nonetheless, I was able to discover several stories I found particularly interesting and I hope you’ll like them too.
Read on for my select tech stories from CEDIA Expo 2022
[Read more…] about Select Tech Stories from CEDIA Expo 2022Is Sonos a Patent Infringer? U.S. Int’l Trade Comm Launches Investigation
The tables have apparently been turned on Sonos, Inc. which now finds itself the subject of an investigation into alleged patent infringement by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). The agency decided to launch an investigation of Sonos after receiving a complaint from Alphabet, Inc.’s Google division. There is one simple question: is Sonos a patent infringer?
Learn more about the USITC investigation of Sonos
[Read more…] about Is Sonos a Patent Infringer? U.S. Int’l Trade Comm Launches InvestigationGoogle Intensified Its Patent War With Sonos, Launched Battle on New Front
After two years of tussling in courts, with both sides registering a mix of wins and losses on various matters, you’d think some kind of settlement would be in order. But last week, Google intensified its patent war with Sonos by opening up yet another front with two new lawsuits on voice control and other technologies, leading me to believe that any type of settlement is yet down the road.
Learn how Google has opened a new front with Sonos
[Read more…] about Google Intensified Its Patent War With Sonos, Launched Battle on New FrontSonos Surprises Wall St.; Stock Value Drops >18% in After-Hours Trading
Consumer Biz Softens, Revises Forecasts Downward, CFO Departs
Wall Street hates surprises, especially when public companies fail to hit analysts’ estimates and when the company is forced to cut previously issued financial estimates based on a deteriorating macroeconomic environment. Sonos hit a surprisingly sour note in its report today on fiscal 2022 third-quarter results – soundly missing expectations, cutting forward guidance on future results, and announcing the CFO is leaving the company. The result of this terrible trifecta of bad news? Sonos stock dropped as much as 20% in after-hours trading.
See more on Sonos’ third quarter report
[Read more…] about Sonos Surprises Wall St.; Stock Value Drops >18% in After-Hours TradingSonos 2nd Fiscal Quarter Sees Revenues Grow, But Profits Hit by Supply Chain
Sonos reported on Wednesday that they had a strong second quarter fiscal 2022 result with good revenue growth. In the case of revenues, the company notes that they continue to track toward its annual revenue guidance of $1.95 billion – to – $2.0 billion. However, the company admitted that its profit margin took a hit as supply chain issues continue to bedevil it (and the rest of the industry) as well. They cut their forecast for profits in 2022.
See more on the Sonos fiscal 2022, 2nd quarter financial results
[Read more…] about Sonos 2nd Fiscal Quarter Sees Revenues Grow, But Profits Hit by Supply ChainSonos Has Another Record Quarter…But Just Barely
Revenues Up 3%, But Net Income Drops 6.7%
Sonos Inc. released the results for their fiscal 2022 first quarter on Wednesday and the results were mostly mixed. While a quarterly revenue record was set, net earnings dropped. CEO Patrick Spence called it “an excellent quarter, with record-setting revenue” but the tone of the company’s management seemed slightly more muted on a conference call with financial analysts as compared to previous such events. Perhaps this was because their financial performance was slightly more muted as compared to past quarters.
See more on the Sonos finanical results for Q1 2022
[Read more…] about Sonos Has Another Record Quarter…But Just BarelyGoliath Has Fallen; Sonos Prevails Over Google in ITC Patent Action
But Did Google Ultimately Outsmart Them?
I don’t think it’s possible for me to overstate the significance of what just happened last week when, in a final decision from the U.S. International Trade Commission, the full panel affirmed a commission judge’s ruling that Google had in fact infringed on five patents held by Sonos. It is a real-life version of the bible story of David versus Goliath. Make no mistake, this David’s win may change our industry in fundamental ways.