- Sonos has patented two wireless headphone designs.
- The first portable device could include noise cancellation and the ability to exchange audio with nearby speakers.
- The company is not currently confirming any plans.
Rumors continued that Sonos was working on headphones and there are now clues as to what this could mean.
The company has received a patent (via protocol and CNET) for two possible over-ear headphone designs. While neither wouldn't look particularly radical, Sonos' multi-room audio expertise could give them an edge over traditional headphones.
Most importantly, the over-ears could have a "swap" that moves existing content to and from the headphones. You can end a podcast on your headphones when someone goes to bed or resume an album on your speakers when you get home.
Sonos is also exploring knob and touch controls that allow for advanced control over music streaming services. A line-in jack for wired audio could also serve as a charging port, although the patent also talks about possible USB charging.
This could be a full-featured headset with active noise cancellation and voice calling and using both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for listening.
Continue reading: The best bluetooth headphones
However, don't expect this to be exactly what you would see Sonos. Patents may provide clues as to what a company does next, but there are no guarantees that you will see headphones like the ones pictured here. A spokesman said protocol that the company files "dozen" patents each year and that Sonos "at that point" had no information for its product roadmap.
Sonos has an incentive to bring out headphones sooner rather than later. Sonos cut 12% of its jobs when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US and weighed on sales. Wireless headphones would diversify Sonos' offerings and help weather poor sales of its signature multi-room speakers.
