Sonos and Ikea end their long-running speaker partnership
Sonos and Ikea have decided to put an end to their 8-year partnership. According to the Verge report, Sonos has confirmed that they are not planning to bring any new products for the Sonos-Ikea Symfonisk lineup. For context, this line-up includes products like lamp speakers, bookshelf speakers, and even picture frame speakers. The report added that Ikea is winding down its Symfonisk product range worldwide, with all current models gradually being removed from shelves, though existing products will continue to receive software support.
For the past eight years, Sonos has had the pleasure of collaborating closely with Ikea, and the team is proud of everything they've accomplished together, Sonos spokesperson Erin Pategas told The Verge. He also added that, while this partnership is now winding down and no new Symfonisk products will be released, "you can rest assured that your current speakers will continue to receive full support—so you can keep enjoying rich, high-quality sound in your home for years to come."
The key highlight of the Symfonisk products is that they are fully compatible with Sonos' multi-room audio system, often coming in at a more budget-friendly price than Sonos' own branded speakers. These devices have gained popularity—particularly as surround sound options for Sonos soundbars—thanks to their clever design. The lamp and picture frame models, for instance, blend seamlessly into home interiors, offering a subtler alternative to conventional speaker designs. They also serve as an accessible entry point for those looking to join the wider Sonos ecosystem.
In terms of audio performance, the bookshelf speaker has long been a strong contender against models like the Sonos One and Play:1, although it has since been outshone by newer releases such as the Era 100 and Move 2.
Even though the products were well-praised, there is no official reason for this discontinuation. However, it is noteworthy that this decision to end the collaboration between Ikea and Sonos arrives amid a period of transition for Sonos. The company recently scrapped plans for its own streaming box and permanently reduced the prices of several of its speakers—moves that suggest a shift in strategy. It's possible Sonos no longer sees the partnership with Ikea as financially beneficial and may prefer to focus on higher-margin products it sells directly. Additionally, recent tariffs could also be playing a role in reshaping Sonos' priorities.
Despite the end of the collaboration, Symfonisk owners can rest assured. Sonos has committed to continuing software updates for all existing Symfonisk products. This ongoing support is expected, especially for connected devices, and based on typical product cycles, updates could reasonably continue for up to seven more years.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
ITR filing FY 2024-25: Taxpayers take note! These 7 changes in new ITR forms excel utilities are important
The income tax department has introduced new validation rules in the Excel-based ITR-1 and ITR-4 forms for FY 2024–25 (AY 2025–26), requiring more detailed disclosures at the time of filing — particularly from salaried taxpayers claiming deductions under the old tax regime. According to an ET report, experts say this shift to pre-validation aims to curb false claims and ensure quicker, more transparent return processing. Here are 7 key changes in excel utilities forms: 1. HRA claim now needs full salary and rent details Taxpayers claiming House Rent Allowance (HRA) exemption must now disclose their place of work, actual rent paid, actual HRA received, and salary break-up (basic salary and dearness allowance). They also need to indicate whether they live in a metro or non-metro city, as the exemption is based on 50% or 40% of the basic salary depending on location. These details are now mandatory in the ITR-1 form. 2. Section 80C deduction requires policy number or ID To claim deductions under Section 80C — which allows up to Rs 1.5 lakh on investments like PPF, tax-saving FDs, and life insurance — taxpayers must now provide the policy number or a valid document identification number. This move replaces earlier practice where only the deduction amount was reported, bringing more traceability and verification into the system. 3. Section 80D needs insurer's name and policy number For deductions on medical or health insurance premiums under Section 80D, taxpayers are now required to enter the name of the insurance company and the policy or document number in the return. This prevents unsupported claims and aligns deduction filings with insurance records. 4. Section 80E asks for full education loan details To claim interest deduction on education loans under Section 80E, taxpayers must provide detailed loan information. This includes the lender's name, bank name, account number, date of sanction, total sanctioned amount, outstanding amount as on 31 March, and the interest paid. These fields are mandatory, and omission may prevent return submission. 5. Section 80EE / 80EEA home loan claims need lender info Deductions claimed for interest on home loans under Sections 80EE or 80EEA must now be supported with lender details, account numbers, sanction dates, loan amount, and outstanding balance. This ensures that housing-related deductions are verified against actual bank data and limits the scope for overlapping claims, such as HRA and home loan in the same city. 6. Section 80EEB for loans needs sanction details Taxpayers claiming interest on loans for electric vehicles under Section 80EEB must disclose lender name, bank name, account number, loan sanction date, total loan amount, and remaining balance as on 31 March. The requirement mirrors the home and education loan fields and standardises loan-related disclosures across deduction categories. 7. Section 80DDB needs disease name for medical claims For deductions under Section 80DDB — meant for treatment of specified diseases — the name of the disease being treated is now a compulsory field in the ITR form. This change is aimed at ensuring that medical deduction claims are specific and aligned with medical certification norms. Chartered Accountant Abhishek Soni, co-founder of Tax2Win, said the changes mark a move from post-filing scrutiny to real-time validation. 'Previously, only deduction amounts were filled in. Now the ITR utility captures data upfront, which brings transparency,' he said. Gopal Bohra, Direct Tax Partner at N. A. Shah Associates LLP, explained that 276 validation rules are now active for ITR-1 and 347 for ITR-4. 'If a required field is missing — such as a policy number or loan sanction date — the return won't upload. The system will flag an error and halt the process,' he said. Ashish Niraj, Partner at A S N & Company, added that these fields are being introduced to stop deduction misuse. 'Some taxpayers claimed HRA and home loan deductions for the same city. Now, fields like 'place of work' and lender details make cross-verification easier,' he said. 'Only those with full, accurate documentation will be able to complete the filing.' Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
ITR-1, ITR-4 forms go live: Know what has changed, who can file online
People can file their Income Tax returns (ITR) for assessment year 2025-26 as the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has enabled the online filing of ITR-1 and ITR-4 forms on its e-filing portal The website has pre-filled data, aimed at simplifying the return filing process for millions of salaried and small business taxpayers. Who can file ITR-1 and ITR-4? Both ITR forms are designed for individuals with relatively simple income profiles, said Naveen Wadhwa, vice-president of Taxmann. ITR-1 (Sahaj) is for resident individuals (not Hindu Undivided Families, HUF) or firms) having: Salary or pension income One-house property (no carried-forward losses) Income from other sources (excluding lottery or racehorse winnings) Total income up to Rs 50 lakh Long-term capital gains under Section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh (new inclusion) ITR-4 (Sugam) is for resident individuals, HUFs, or firms (other than LLPs) having: Presumptive income under sections 44AD, 44ADA, or 44AE Total income up to Rs 50 lakh Income from one-house property and other sources Long-term capital gains under Section 112A up to Rs 1.25 lakh, with no capital losses carried forward According to CBDT's rules, individuals earning capital gains up to Rs 1.25 lakh under Section 112A (from listed equity shares, mutual funds, or business trusts) can now file ITR-1 or ITR-4, provided there is no carried forward loss. This change addresses a long-standing concern among small investors. Calculate Income Tax: Income Tax Calculator Tool 'This amendment will benefit a large number of small taxpayers who earlier had to switch to complex forms like ITR-2 or ITR-3 just because of minor capital gains,' said Wadhwa. Wadhwa explained the changes that taxpayers need to keep in mind this time: Aadhaar Enrolment ID not accepted: From October 1, 2024, only the actual Aadhaar number (not the enrolment ID) can be used for PAN applications and return filing. Capital gains disclosures: If your capital asset was sold after July 23, 2024, new tax rules apply. Taxpayers must now disclose the transfer date, as tax rates and indexation benefits differ based on that. Detailed tax regime disclosure: ITR-4 now requires more specifics on whether the taxpayer wants to opt out of the new tax regime under Section 115BAC. Where to file returns Taxpayers can log in to to access the pre-filled ITR-1 and ITR-4 forms and submit them online. With the ITR forms now live, experts suggest early filing to avoid last-minute rush or errors. 'Taxpayers should cross-check their prefilled data, especially TDS and bank interest, before submission,' said Wadhwa. For AY 2025–26, the deadline for most individual taxpayers is September 15 (for non-audit taxpayers).
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Hyderabad Student Faces Unexpected Technical Questions In US Visa Interview: "I Was Surprised"
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. A student faced an unexpected F-1 visa denial at the Hyderabad Consulate interview. The consular officer asked standard questions before shifting to technical inquiries. Despite confident answers, the visa was denied under Section 214(b), advising reapplication. A US F-1 student visa applicant had a surprising experience during an interview at the Hyderabad Consulate. After answering standard questions about education and university choices, the consular officer unexpectedly launched into a series of technical questions. Despite the applicant's calm and clear responses, the officer denied the visa, advising him to reapply. Seeking insight into what went wrong, the applicant shared his story on Reddit to gather feedback and advice. "I had my F1 visa interview today (May 30, 2025) at the Hyderabad Consulate, India. He is a white male VO in his 30s. Unfortunately, I was rejected under section 214(b). I'm sharing my experience to get your feedback on what might have gone wrong and how I can improve for the next attempt," he wrote on Reddit. The student said that his visa interview began typically, with questions about his studies and university applications. However, the officer's tone shifted when he started asking unexpected technical questions. The student was asked about the differences between an array and a linked list, as well as linear regression. Despite answering confidently, the officer denied his F-1 visa under Section 214(b) after inquiring about his chosen university, Indiana University Bloomington, and its specialisations in data science. See the post here: F1 Visa Rejected – Hyderabad Consulate – Seeking Guidance After Technical Interview by u/Entire-Desk547 in usvisascheduling "I was surprised by the level of technical questions asked. I tried to stay calm and answer everything honestly, but I'm still not sure what went wrong—whether it was something in my answers, my university choices, or how I explained my project. If anyone has gone through something similar or has suggestions for improving in my next attempt, I would be really grateful for your insights," the student added. Some Reddit users shared similar experiences with unusual visa interview questions. One user reported a 15-second interview where the officer spent most of the time typing on the computer, while another had a straightforward conversation about their fiancé's work and wedding plans. One user wrote, "Wait whattt This has kind of got me bumfuzzled I mean why would he ask such questions." Another commented, "Industry-oriented is not the word you should say. Or if you say it you should emphasise that I would work back home." A third said, "Interviewer asked just the regular questions, but I think you got into panic, but go ahead and apply for it again this time, answer confidently." A fourth added, "Maybe he just ran out of time and had to make a decision.... for the last question, maybe you should've looped back to how this will help you get a better job in your countr,y but other than than i don't think you could've done anything different."
