Patrick Spence departs Sonos following the backlash against their new iOS app. | Image credit — Sonos
In a surprising move, Patrick Spence has resigned as CEO of Sonos, just months after the highly criticized launch of the company's new iOS app. Spence, who led the company for eight years and took the CEO role in 2017, presided over a growth phase but will now be remembered for the unrest associated with the app's performance. Users expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the app, citing issues such as instability, a lack of previously available features, and connectivity problems. What was intended to enhance user experience instead complicated it significantly.
Redesign of Sonos' iOS app amid user backlash. | Image credit — Sonos
Initially, Sonos appeared to minimize the reported problems, believing they could be resolved with simple updates. However, as user complaints surged and updates failed to address the primary issues, the company was compelled to recognize the severity of the situation. Spence issued a public apology, emphasizing that rectifying the app was a priority. However, he later clarified that a complete overhaul was not achievable due to fundamental changes made to the company’s underlying systems. This predicament has placed Sonos in a challenging spotlight, undermining its reputation for innovative and user-friendly products. While continuing to unveil new hardware, reports indicated that some product launches faced delays as the company focused its resources on remedying the app's troubles.
