Sonos

Sonos announced Sonos 27 — a named software platform built on a Sonos Fabric to unify devices, improve audio tuning and enable multi‑assistant integration via MCP and Custom Agents. CEO Tom Conrad described a company reorganization toward functional teams, restored reliability after the 2024 app crisis, and a focus on system-level features such as device pairing, low‑latency surround and new voice capabilities. New hardware includes the Beam Ultra soundbar and Ace Ultra headphones that integrate with the Sonos system; many software features will roll out in early access for customer feedback. » More on theverge.com

Philips Hue announced Custom AI Behaviors that let users create complex automations in natural language and program switches via its Hue AI assistant. The feature runs locally on the Bridge Pro while the assistant uses cloud models and is entering beta next month. Select Hue switches will also control Sonos playback and volume via a November software update, and a Back-up & Restore cloud feature is planned for early next year. » More on theverge.com

Sonos introduced the $699 Beam Ultra, a 7.1.2 soundbar with side- and upward-firing speakers that showed improved directional audio, bass and vocal clarity in demos. It pairs wirelessly with other Sonos speakers to create rear channels and aims to deliver true Atmos performance without the Arc Ultra price. The Beam Ultra sits between the Beam Gen 2 and Arc Ultra in the lineup, launches September 29 and is available for preorder. Reviewers note strong demo impressions but say real-world home performance remains to be fully evaluated. » More on theverge.com