Bose Sheds Cloud Support, Unveils Open-Source Future for SoundTouch Speakers
In a move that's left tech enthusiasts both relieved and intrigued, Bose has announced the impending end of cloud support for its SoundTouch line of home speakers. Once these smart speakers will no longer have access to many features and related software updates, they'll essentially become "dumb" devices. However, this shift brings a silver lining - an open-source model that empowers third-party developers to breathe new life into the aging technology.
As part of this overhaul, Bose has begun sharing its API documentation with customers, paving the way for independent developers to create their own SoundTouch-compatible tools and features. This is set to take some time, but in the meantime, the company's extending the end-of-life (EoL) date for these speakers from February to May 6.
A couple of key aspects have been clarified to alleviate concerns among SoundTouch owners. The speakers will still retain support for AirPlay and Spotify Connect after EoL, which was a topic of uncertainty earlier. Moreover, the accompanying app will continue to function in a stripped-down capacity, an outcome that's undeniably welcomed by customers who'd previously voiced their discontent on Reddit.
This decision comes as no surprise, given the hefty price tag that initially accompanied these speakers - with prices starting at $600 when they were first introduced in 2013. While some users may have been deterred by the high cost or perceived obsolescence of the devices, it's clear that Bose has taken note of customer feedback and made a concerted effort to adapt. By embracing an open-source model, the company is investing in its brand reputation and ensuring the continued relevance of its SoundTouch lineup.
In a move that's left tech enthusiasts both relieved and intrigued, Bose has announced the impending end of cloud support for its SoundTouch line of home speakers. Once these smart speakers will no longer have access to many features and related software updates, they'll essentially become "dumb" devices. However, this shift brings a silver lining - an open-source model that empowers third-party developers to breathe new life into the aging technology.
As part of this overhaul, Bose has begun sharing its API documentation with customers, paving the way for independent developers to create their own SoundTouch-compatible tools and features. This is set to take some time, but in the meantime, the company's extending the end-of-life (EoL) date for these speakers from February to May 6.
A couple of key aspects have been clarified to alleviate concerns among SoundTouch owners. The speakers will still retain support for AirPlay and Spotify Connect after EoL, which was a topic of uncertainty earlier. Moreover, the accompanying app will continue to function in a stripped-down capacity, an outcome that's undeniably welcomed by customers who'd previously voiced their discontent on Reddit.
This decision comes as no surprise, given the hefty price tag that initially accompanied these speakers - with prices starting at $600 when they were first introduced in 2013. While some users may have been deterred by the high cost or perceived obsolescence of the devices, it's clear that Bose has taken note of customer feedback and made a concerted effort to adapt. By embracing an open-source model, the company is investing in its brand reputation and ensuring the continued relevance of its SoundTouch lineup.
so i guess its good news for those soundtouch owners who were worried about their speakers becoming useless after feb 
they get another few months to enjoy them with airplay and spotify connect still working 
plus bose is being super transparent about the whole process by sharing api docs with customers 
thats a big deal for the community. also, its interesting to see how this move could lead to some awesome open-source mods and hacks from 3rd party devs 
and now this? cloud support is like 50% of what makes it cool 
guess i'll be using spotify connect a lot more from now on lol and isn't the price still kinda steep tho $600 in 2013 was like, super expensive even back then 
anyway i'm kinda glad bosé is doing this open-source thing tho it's nice to think that maybe some indie devs will come up with something cool for my speakers 
. I mean, $600 was a pretty penny back in 2013, and not everyone could afford it 
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. It's not like they're just suddenly deciding to abandon ship or anything 
. So, yeah, I think this is a win-win for everyone involved 
. I remember when these speakers first came out in 2013, they were already pricey... but hey, at least Bose listened to the users and made some changes 
I mean, $600 for a speaker? That's just crazy 
Still, open-source is the way forward 
Can't wait to see what third-party devs come up with 
. It'll be interesting to see what kind of cool stuff we can expect from independent developers in the coming months 
. Still, I'm not sure how long it'll take for these speakers to become "cool" again 
... they've been around for a while!
That's just plain crazy! Anyway, glad customers get to keep using AirPlay and Spotify Connect for a bit longer 
and btw, the prices are still kinda steep lol... still think they're a bit too rich for blood 
they're literally becoming outdated fast 
and i know some ppl were worried about losing airplay and spotify connect support, but it's all good now 
so let's all take a deep breath and appreciate the efforts bos is putting into making their brand better 
! I mean, think about it, Bose's just being real with us now - their old sound speakers ain't gonna get any more cloud updates 
. Now we can expect some sick SoundTouch mods in the future 
. And let's be real, it's about time Bose came clean about their plans - those speakers were pricey even back when they first dropped 
), so kudos for that! I'm hyped to see what the future holds for these devices 
. i've been following some of the indie devs who are already creating their own tools and features for these speakers 
. Those SoundTouch speakers were always a bit pricey for my taste $600 for a speaker? yeah no thanks 
. But at the same time, I can see why Bose would wanna open up their API and let devs get creative with 'em. It's like they're giving users control back 
️.
. And honestly, having to update our speakers all the time was gettin' a bit annoying too 
. The fact that AirPlay and Spotify Connect will still work after EoL is pretty sweet tho 
️
I mean, who needs all those bells and whistles when you're paying $600 for a speaker? It's like buying a fancy smartwatch that only tells time... but still, kudos to them for being open about it 
.