Bose open-sources its SoundTouch house theater sensible audio system forward of end-of-life

Bose launched the Application Programming Interface (API) documentation for its SoundTouch audio system at this time, placing a silver lining across the impending end-of-life (EoL) of the costly house theater units.

In October, Bose introduced that its SoundTouch Wi-Fi audio system and soundbars would turn into dumb audio system on February 18. At the time, Bose mentioned that the audio system would solely work if a tool was linked by way of AUX, HDMI, or Bluetooth (which has larger latency than Wi-Fi).

After that date, the audio system would cease receiving safety and software program updates and lose cloud connectivity and their companion app, the Framingham, Massachusetts-based firm mentioned. Without the app, customers would now not have the ability to combine the system with music providers, resembling Spotify, have a number of SoundTouch units play the identical audio concurrently, or use or edit saved presets.

The announcement frustrated a few of Bose’s long-time customers, a few of whom personal a number of SoundTouch units that also operate correctly. Many questioned corporations’ more and more frequent follow of bricking costly merchandise to give attention to new units or to reduce prices, or as a result of they’ve gone via acquisitions or chapter. SoundTouch audio system launched in 2013 and 2015 with costs starting from $399 to $1,500.

Today, Bose had higher information. In an email to prospects, Bose introduced that AirPlay and Spotify Connect will nonetheless work with SoundTouch audio system after EoL, increasing the wi-fi capabilities that folks will nonetheless have the ability to entry.

Additionally, SoundTouch units that help AirPlay 2 can play the identical audio concurrently.

The SoundTouch app may even reside on, albeit stripped of some performance.

“On May 6, 2026, the app will update to a version that supports the functions that can operate locally without the cloud. No action will be required on your part. Opening the app will apply the update automatically,” Bose mentioned.