The iPod creator saw gold, but Jobs saw trouble.
Tony Fadell, creator of the iPod, tried multiple times to convince Steve Jobs to acquire Sonos in 2003, but Apple’s co-founder rejected the idea and instead considered legal action against the audio company for its iPod-like device design.
Early Clash Over Design
Back in 2003, just a year after Sonos was founded, the company caught Apple’s attention for the wrong reasons. Sonos was gearing up to launch its Song Mobile device, which featured a scroll-wheel interface strikingly similar to Apple’s iPod.
Steve Jobs’ first instinct? Legal action.But things took an unexpected turn.
After a meeting with the Sonos founders, Tony Fadell saw something special in the upstart audio company. He believed Sonos had real potential and made it his mission to change Steve’s mind.
Throughout 2003, he repeatedly tried to convince Steve to buy Sonos instead of taking them to court.
Despite his efforts, Steve wasn’t convinced, leaving this fascinating “what if?” moment in tech history unresolved.
“No one wants what they are selling,” said Steve Jobs.
Yet, Sonos has since proven to be a major success (at least before the major app debacle). Turns out, even the great Steve Jobs didn’t always have a perfect read on the future.
Time Proved Different
Twenty years later, Sonos has beaten the odds. It’s one of the few consumer electronics startups of its size from the past 25 years that’s still standing strong as an independent company.
Known for its dedication to top-notch sound quality and an Apple-like focus on user experience, Sonos has built a loyal fanbase, even while fending off fierce competition from tech giants like Amazon and budget-friendly rivals from China.
But recent challenges have rocked its steady success.
Sonos faced significant backlash after launching a new app that broke numerous features and damaged customer trust. With a market value now hovering around $1.7 billion, Sonos is also navigating significant leadership changes.
Tom Conrad has stepped in as interim CEO, but some insiders believe his role might not be as temporary as it sounds.
Comparisons are already being drawn to Steve Jobs’s return as “interim” CEO at Apple back in 1997. One of Conrad’s first bold moves was firing the company’s Chief Product Officer, hinting at bigger changes on the horizon.