Bose is open-sourcing its previous good audio system as a substitute of bricking them

In a surprisingly user-friendly transfer, Bose has introduced will probably be open-sourcing the API documentation for its SoundTouch good audio system, which had been slated to lose official assist on February 18th, as reported by Ars Technica. Bose has additionally moved that date again to Might sixth, 2026.

When cloud assist ends, an replace to the SoundTouch app will add native controls to retain as a lot performance as attainable with out cloud providers. Customers will nonetheless be capable to stream music to SoundTouch audio system with Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Spotify Join (plus bodily AUX connections). Distant management options and grouping audio system will even proceed to work, and customers will nonetheless be capable to arrange and configure their SoundTouch audio system.

Now that the good audio system’ API is being open-sourced, customers may create their very own appropriate SoundTouch instruments to assist fill in any gaps left by the dearth of cloud providers. Whereas it’s nonetheless disappointing that the audio system are dropping official assist, Bose’s method at the least lets individuals proceed utilizing their audio system, quite than bricking in any other case practical gadgets.

This transfer from Bose is especially shocking due to how uncommon it’s. Often when merchandise lose assist for cloud providers, they find yourself bricked, and sometimes customers step in themselves to make things better. For example, when Pebble initially shut down in 2016, customers stored their watches practical by creating the Rebble Alliance, a community-run substitute for the watches’ cloud providers, firmware, and app retailer.