Sonos gets to keeps its CEO, as a treat
Conrad had been on the board of directors at Sonos since 2017 and conceded after taking the top job back in January that the company had "let far too many people down." Shortly after that he announced that around 200 jobs would be cut as part of a "reorganizing' of the company's product division, before it reportedly canceled its long-rumoured video streaming device far into its development. This was followed by Sonos ending its partnership with IKEA in May.
Former CEO Patrick Spence said in an earnings call last year that the total cost of fixing the many issues with the Sonos app was between $20 and $30 million. In a significant recent update to its flagship Sonos Ace headphones, the company finally introduced the TrueCinema feature that was promised when the headphones launched in 2024. This uses a supported Sonos soundbar to measure the acoustics of your room and then channels the data into the delivery of spatial audio in the headphones, making it sound more convincing.
In a statement, Sonos' now-permanent CEO said he was "excited to move from rebuilding to imagining the next generation of experiences."
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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
The Friday Checkout: Why Sprouts' self-distribution expansion is timely
Distribution has been a hot-button issue for the grocery industry this year, with United Natural Foods, Inc.'s cybersecurity attack taking center stage along with C&S Wholesale Grocers' recent bid to acquire SpartanNash. With all eyes on the food supply chain, grocers' efforts to build out self-distribution networks couldn't be more timely. Self-distribution was a major talking point during Sprouts Farmers Market's second quarter earnings call earlier this week. Though UNFI's near shutdown was "minimally disruptive" to the fast-growing specialty grocer, according to CEO Jack Sinclair, its expanding self-distribution network is looking more and more appealing these days. It would enable the specialty grocer to have "more control over [its] supply chain while minimizing operations and supply chain risks," Sinclair told investors. Sprouts runs a network of distribution centers across its operating footprint, with around 80% of its stores located within 250 miles of one. The grocer is expanding that network, with a new DC set to open in Northern California next year. It's also bringing its fresh meat and seafood sourcing in-house, according to an April investor presentation. "We're going through a transition period," Sinclair said about the ongoing efforts to establish a more self-sufficient supply chain. He added that Sprouts will continue to take over distribution of "key product categories." Sprouts is far from the first food retailer to turn to self-distribution. Ahold Delhaize US, for example, has ADUSA Distribution as well as ADUSA Transportation to serve all of its stateside banners. This self-distribution push began in 2019 and, as of 2023, included around two dozen facilities along the East Coast. Walmart is also part of this trend. This year alone, the retailer opened its first owned-and-operated case-ready beef facility, purchased a distribution center in Utah and debuted a Sam's Club distribution center in Florida. Self-distribution is difficult to carry out for smaller, independent grocers that lack the resources to build and operate supply facilities. But for larger retailers, it can help save money and avoid catastrophe if third-party distributors can't deliver. In case you missed it FMI rolls out SNAP resource for its members FMI – The Food Industry Association announced Thursday it has created a resource for its members to track state policies relating to waivers that restrict certain foods from SNAP eligibility. The page provides individual food definitions for states that have received waivers as well as state communication strategies, implementation timelines and a state-by-state comparison showing how "candy" is defined. The trade group said it will keep the resource updated as information becomes available. DoorDash bolsters its grocery presence The e-commerce provider announced Tuesday the addition of six retailers to its platform. The newcomers include Bi-Rite Market and Lunardi's Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area, Superior Grocers in California and three grocers in Ohio: Dave's Markets, Dorothy Lane Market and Lucky's Markets. Whole Foods takes on "biodiversity highway initiative" On Tuesday, Whole Foods Market unveiled a partnership with Mad Agriculture to launch a national initiative aimed at reconstructing native ecosystems across farmland in the U.S. The program, which will begin in and around the Lowery Creek Watershed in Wisconsin, aims to buffer communities from flooding and erosion, improve soil and water health, and support pollinators and wildlife. Whole Foods said the creation of a 1,000-acre "biodiversity highway" will address issues such as disappearing biodiversity, declining soil health and weakening ability of land to withstand environmental stress. As part of the initiative, the Amazon-owned grocer has pledged up to $500,000 in matching funds to "catalyze $1 million in collective investment from food system stakeholders in 2025." Impulse find Stop & Shop makes a 'Happy' cameo Netflix's hit movie "Happy Gilmore 2" features a laundry list of star cameos, including Ben Stiller, rapper Eminem, NFL player Travis Kelce and pro golfers Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. And then there's our personal favorite: Stop & Shop. The Northeast grocery chain's Clifton, New Jersey, store plays a key role early on in the film. Happy Gilmore, played by Adam Sandler, is shown working in the store's produce department when a pesky customer starts prodding him about playing professional golf again. (Spoiler alert: Happy doesn't let the pestering go unpunished.) "We're grateful to be part of such a culturally relevant moment - and excited for viewers to spot our aisles in this laugh-out-loud sequel," Stop & Shop said in a LinkedIn update. The star turn will, no doubt, raise awareness of the grocer's brand. "Happy Gilmore 2" garnered 46.7 million views in its first three days on Netflix, according to Variety, marking the best opening performance ever for a Netflix film. Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Don't Want to Spend Big Bucks for a Surround-Sound System? These Soundbars Are a Great Alternative.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A soundbar is a must-have sound upgrade for almost any new TV. Due to their ultra-thin design, today's television sets can't physically accommodate large speaker units, frequently falling short in delivering a sound that's worthy of the beautiful visuals they provide. High-quality speakers need space, which, unlike old-school sets whose tube screen made them double as large pieces of furniture, modern TVs don't offer. Thankfully, a soundbar bring better sound for your onscreen content. These products' multiple speaker units and wireless connectivity also make them great for enjoying audio content without powering up your TV. Because ultra-thin TVs have long been the standard for mainstream consumers, today's market is jam-packed with soundbars in all price points—from affordable to premium. Between form factors, hardware specs, and audio capabilities, there's a lot to consider. To help you find the best soundbar for your needs and budget, I spent months testing high-rated models from leading brands. The Best Soundbars in 2025 Best Overall: Sonos Arc Ultra Best Value: Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 Best Budget: Polk Audio Signa S2 Best Compact: Bose Smart Soundbar Best for Audiophiles: Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 How I Tested Soundbars I've been testing audio gear, including soundbars, since 2011. To put the ones on this list through their paces, I spent weeks with each one as my primary source of home audio entertainment, connecting it to my TV. I streamed movies, series, and live sports, especially Dolby Atmos-enhanced content, from Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and Hulu, among other leading platforms. Of course, I also streamed an eclectic selection of music to every soundbar. In addition to scrutinizing the bass, treble, and mid-range audio capabilities of each product, I paid particular attention to its dialogue clarity. I looked for options to adjust both the sound and the voice delivery in each device. With all of the above in mind, enjoy better sound at home with one of the soundbars I vouch for Ultra $999.00 at The Sonos Arc Ultra—the audio brand's range-topping soundbar—is the best for most consumers, with exceptional audio performance across the board, straightforward setup, and intuitive controls. As a Sonos product, the Arc Ultra easily integrates into an existing setup of speakers from the same manufacturer. Better yet, linking the device to a Sonos Sub and a pair of rear Era 100 or Era 300 speakers can create a full surround sound system that rivals your local movie theater. Equipped with fourteen audio drivers, the Sonos Arc Ultra performed up to the heavy expectations set by its price tag. I was equally impressed by its powerful bass output, crisp treble, and dialogue clarity. I like that the soundbar can seamlessly connect to the excellent Sonos Ace headphones to deliver multi-dimensional sound without disturbing others. Using the app, I was also able to adjust the sound and treble intensity, as well as enhance the speech by choosing from four levels. Achieving the right placement for the speaker was intuitive as well. The Sonos app utilized my phone's built-in microphones to tailor the soundbar's sound for my living room. The process took only a couple of minutes. Sonos offers the Arc Ultra in black or white. The optional speakers for expanding the setup are available in matching CORE 200 $549.99 at The Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 is the best pick for buyers who want a soundbar for under $500. The product lacks Wi-Fi connectivity, unlike my pricier suggestions, which is a downside. Still, its agreeable price, stylish looks, and solid audio performance make it worthy of your attention. Sound-wise, the first thing that impressed me about the Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 was its thunderous bass, powered by a duo of 4-inch subwoofers. Their low-end output brought a welcome touch of excitement to any on-screen content, from films to video games, making it more engaging. Needless to say, I loved listening to bass-heavy downtempo tracks on the soundbar over a Bluetooth link. The Klipsch Connect companion app offers a robust selection of sound customization tools, including a graphic equalizer and an option to enhance scenes with dialogue. A night mode is also available, which tones down the bass to minimize disturbance to others. Given the low-end power of the Flexus CORE 200, the functionality is a welcome addition to its feature set. You can expand the Flexus CORE 200 into a surround sound system via an additional Klipsch subwoofer and surround sound speakers, all while keeping your budget in three-digit territory. The subwoofer features a 10-inch speaker that perfectly complements the soundbar's already powerful S2 $199.00 at The Polk Audio Signa S2 is the soundbar to get if you are looking for a TV audio upgrade on a tight budget. For roughly $200, it offers an impressively slim profile and great sound for the money. Unlike the rest of my picks, the affordably priced Signa S2 comes with a bundled wireless subwoofer, which adds value to the package. When it comes to audio performance, the Polk Audio Signa S2 predictably falls short compared to more expensive soundbars. The product lacks Dolby Atmos support and the upward-facing audio drivers required for a true spatial audio experience. That said, the device's four built-in audio drivers produce respectable, though less immersive, virtual surround sound that's infinitely more enjoyable than what other TVs' onboard speakers offer. The same goes for the entertaining bass rumble from the included subwoofer. I like the low-key design of the Polk Audio Signa S2 soundbar, as well as its compact and intuitive bundled remote control. The essential accessory's convenient buttons include dedicated keys for adjusting the bass and the voice Soundbar $549.00 at The Smart Soundbar by Bose is my top pick for small spaces. Measuring just a tad over 27 inches wide, the product has an impressively compact footprint without skimping on features and performance. Of course, the Smart Soundbar is also upgradeable into a surround sound system via an optional bass module and surround speakers. The device's five-speaker setup includes a pair of upward-facing units for multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos sound. Experiencing the latter while streaming enhanced content made me feel like I was using a bigger soundbar. Thanks to proprietary Bose technology, the soundbar made standard audio content sound more entertaining, if not quite as captivating as Dolby Atmos sound. In addition to impressing me with sound that belies its size, the Bose offering excelled at clearly reproducing scenes that included dialogue. Enabling a dedicated AI mode for voice enhancement in the Bose app helped significantly with this challenging task. The app also helped me customize the sound and connect more speakers to the Smart Soundbar. Another reason I recommend the Bose Smart Soundbar is its excellent set of wireless connectivity features. The Wi-Fi-enabled device can stream from any smartphone, computer, or tablet, thanks to Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and Google Chromecast Theater Bar 8 $848.00 at Sony's Bravia Theater Bar 8 soundbar, in addition to providing cinema-grade sound to complement any TV, can also stream audio in lossless formats. This standout feature makes the product a particularly exciting upgrade option for audiophiles who plan to use their soundbar as a high-fidelity standalone speaker, rather than just an essential TV companion. The Bar 8 can even eke out more detail from lower-quality audio through sophisticated upscaling technology. Of all the soundbars I tested, the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 offered the highest level of detail, with 11 onboard speakers and spacial-mapping technology that mimics a surround-sound system setup. Plus, it was easy to optimize sound for my space via the app. Unsurprisingly, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 integrates particularly well with Sony's latest TVs. If you already own one, it's your best bet. Budget and space permitting, you can expand the Bar 8 into a surround sound system by adding a subwoofer and rear speakers. The pricier Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 is an even better option for audiophiles. Its wider footprint and 13 integrated speakers bring an even more powerful sound that's worth the premium, especially if you set it up in a larger space. What to Consider Sound Dolby Atmos is the most important audio feature to look for in a soundbar. The spatial audio experience you'll get will make any Dolby Atmos-enhanced content you watch, from blockbuster movies to live sports, more lifelike. The audio standard is widely available on all streaming services, so don't skip it unless you are shopping on a super tight budget. Look for a soundbar with upward-facing audio drivers to get the best Dolby Atmos experience. Some lower-cost models can deliver virtual Dolby Atmos without the upward-firing speakers, but I really recommend spending a bit more to get a properly equipped option. The extra hardware makes a big difference. Speaking of hardware, the number of speakers a soundbar packs is also important to consider while shopping. More audio drivers naturally result in a bigger and more detailed sound with a wider soundstage. Don't settle for less than four audio drivers in a soundbar, even if you are shopping on a tight budget. The channel configuration of a soundbar, although undeniably technical, is also a crucial factor in making a purchasing decision. The essential spec is showcased via three numbers, separated by dots. The first number shows the number of front-facing speakers a soundbar has, the second one measures the downward-facing bass drivers, while the third displays the quantity of upward-facing units (if any). The more audio channels a soundbar has, the more immersive its sound will be. The channel count reflects the number of perceived directions the sound will reach you. Having experienced products across the price spectrum, I can confirm that more expensive soundbars with more audio channels sound noticeably more engaging. Size When not wall-mounted, soundbars should be placed right in front of a TV and underneath its screen, with the second option being the most commonly used setup among consumers. The width of a soundbar is particularly important in such scenarios, so be sure to measure your TV unit to confirm it fits before making a purchase. I learned the importance of this task the hard way a while back. Full-size soundbars measure around 50 inches in width, making them perfectly suitable for a big-screen TV with a 65-inch or larger panel, including 75- and 85-inch options. Smaller ones would suffice if your TV has a 55-inch or smaller screen, or you don't want to overspend on an upgrade. Connectivity HDMI is the default wired connectivity option for all soundbars, regardless of their price tag. Connecting them to a TV is as easy as plugging their bundled cable into its eARC HDMI connector. Fancier soundbars at higher price points feature HDMI 2.1 passthrough connectivity, which allows consumers to connect, say, a high-powered gaming console directly for a more enjoyable sound experience. Wi-Fi connectivity is mandatory for a high-end soundbar. It allows the product to stream higher-quality audio and link with other speakers in a multi-room setup. Soundbars with Wi-Fi also support Apple AirPlay 2 and/or Google Chromecast wireless protocols, making it super easy to stream audio from a phone, tablet, or computer. Additional Features A companion app is standard for most new soundbars. Only budget-friendly ones lack one, but their lower cost makes up for the omission. An app makes setting up a soundbar, customizing its sound, and keeping it up to date with updates easy. I prefer using an app to control a soundbar over a bundled remote control. The essential accessory is curiously not included with Sonos soundbars, but I didn't miss it. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Newsweek
Kansas Officials Defy Trump Admin Over SNAP Benefit Order
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Officials in Kansas have declined to comply with a SNAP benefit data-sharing request from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over concerns it could breach recipient privacy. Newsweek has contacted the USDA and the Kansas Department for Children and Families for comment via email outside regular working hours. Why It Matters The USDA, which oversees the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), first announced a plan to make states share benefit recipient data—including names, dates of birth, personal addresses and Social Security numbers—in May as part of President Donald Trump's executive order to increase data sharing across federal and state programs. The agency renewed its push last week when it again ordered states to comply with the order. However, the latest directive has been met with a united legal challenge from 19 states and Washington, D.C., that contend the order violates federal privacy laws and the U.S. Constitution. Kansas, while not part of the multistate legal action, has refused to hand over the requested data. SNAP benefit sign at the entrance to a Big Lots store in Portland, Oregon, in October 2020. SNAP benefit sign at the entrance to a Big Lots store in Portland, Oregon, in October 2020. GETTY What To Know In a letter to the USDA, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (KDCF) said the state could not comply with the request as it could "place KDCF in a position of potential liability in the event a court finds that the USDA's demand violates federal law." The letter, sent to Gina Brand, the USDA's senior policy adviser for integrity, from KDCF Secretary Laura Howard, said the request was also difficult to comply with in a "practical matter." "Producing the amount of data being requested will require significant time, manpower, and expense," the letter said. "Requiring the production to occur no later than July 30, 2025, presents an unreasonable burden that simply cannot be met." According to the USDA, the goal of the data collection is to help root out fraud in the program, which serves some 42 million people nationwide. While the agency's directive does not mention immigration enforcement as a reason for data collection, critics of the order have raised concerns that it could be used to facilitate deportations. Regarding the multistate lawsuit, the USDA previously told Newsweek that it would "not comment on pending litigation." What People Are Saying Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard said: "DCF is committed to the security of Kansans' personal information and maintaining confidentiality consistent with state and federal law. This demand for personal information goes beyond the scope of administering the program and puts in jeopardy the privacy of hundreds of thousands of Kansans who depend on SNAP to put food on their tables." Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a May 6 news release announcing the data-sharing plans: "President Trump is rightfully requiring the federal government to have access to all programs it funds, and SNAP is no exception. For years, this program has been on autopilot, with no USDA insight into real-time data. The Department is focused on appropriate and lawful participation in SNAP, and today's request is one of many steps to ensure SNAP is preserved for only those eligible." What Happens Next The USDA has not publicly responded to the letter from Kansas.
