Bose's Shift to Open Source: A Lifeline for Discontinuing SoundTouch Owners
In a move that has been welcomed by fans and owners of the discontinued SoundTouch line of home speakers, Bose has announced its intention to open source the software powering these devices. This change marks a significant shift away from its previous model, where cloud support was a key feature, but now it seems that the smart speakers will be relegated to their dumb selves, no longer receiving updates or access to many features.
While this may seem like a negative development at first glance, Bose is providing customers with a glimmer of hope. The company has begun releasing the API documentation for independent developers to create custom tools and features compatible with SoundTouch devices. Although it will take time, this move acknowledges that its customers value their speakers, even if they are no longer receiving cloud support.
To ease the transition, Bose is also extending the end-of-life (EoL) date for the SoundTouch speakers from February to May 6. This change will allow owners to continue using AirPlay and Spotify Connect after the software updates cease, and the app will remain functional in a stripped-down format. It's a small mercy that these features will still be available.
The fact that Bose has chosen to listen to its customers on this matter is a significant departure from its previous approach. The company's decision to discontinue the SoundTouch line was met with widespread criticism, with many owners feeling that they had been left high and dry after investing hundreds of dollars in the product. However, by opening up the software, Bose is giving those same owners a way to breathe new life into their speakers.
The move also highlights the growing trend towards open source technology in consumer electronics. By making its software available for modification, Bose is taking a cue from companies like Linux and Apache, which have built successful communities around their platforms. This shift could potentially pave the way for new innovations and uses for SoundTouch devices, even as they lose their cloud-based features.
In conclusion, while the discontinuation of cloud support for SoundTouch speakers was undoubtedly a blow to owners, Bose's decision to open source its software offers a silver lining. By embracing the community-driven ethos of open source technology, the company is demonstrating that it values the opinions and needs of its customers. Only time will tell if this move will lead to new possibilities for the SoundTouch brand, but one thing is certain – it's a step in the right direction.
In a move that has been welcomed by fans and owners of the discontinued SoundTouch line of home speakers, Bose has announced its intention to open source the software powering these devices. This change marks a significant shift away from its previous model, where cloud support was a key feature, but now it seems that the smart speakers will be relegated to their dumb selves, no longer receiving updates or access to many features.
While this may seem like a negative development at first glance, Bose is providing customers with a glimmer of hope. The company has begun releasing the API documentation for independent developers to create custom tools and features compatible with SoundTouch devices. Although it will take time, this move acknowledges that its customers value their speakers, even if they are no longer receiving cloud support.
To ease the transition, Bose is also extending the end-of-life (EoL) date for the SoundTouch speakers from February to May 6. This change will allow owners to continue using AirPlay and Spotify Connect after the software updates cease, and the app will remain functional in a stripped-down format. It's a small mercy that these features will still be available.
The fact that Bose has chosen to listen to its customers on this matter is a significant departure from its previous approach. The company's decision to discontinue the SoundTouch line was met with widespread criticism, with many owners feeling that they had been left high and dry after investing hundreds of dollars in the product. However, by opening up the software, Bose is giving those same owners a way to breathe new life into their speakers.
The move also highlights the growing trend towards open source technology in consumer electronics. By making its software available for modification, Bose is taking a cue from companies like Linux and Apache, which have built successful communities around their platforms. This shift could potentially pave the way for new innovations and uses for SoundTouch devices, even as they lose their cloud-based features.
In conclusion, while the discontinuation of cloud support for SoundTouch speakers was undoubtedly a blow to owners, Bose's decision to open source its software offers a silver lining. By embracing the community-driven ethos of open source technology, the company is demonstrating that it values the opinions and needs of its customers. Only time will tell if this move will lead to new possibilities for the SoundTouch brand, but one thing is certain – it's a step in the right direction.
i'm actually kinda excited about this news! like, i know some people are gonna be all upset that their soundtouch speakers won't get any cloud updates anymore, but i think it's awesome that bosé is giving customers a way to breathe new life into them 
. by releasing the api docs, they're basically saying "hey, we still care about you and your speaker!" even if it's not getting any fancy cloud features anymore 
. it's like, they're acknowledging that their customers value their speakers more than just some shiny online service... and who doesn't love a good DIY project? 
plus, it's cool to see bosé taking cues from other open source companies, you know? 
i mean, who wouldn't want to use something that's got a community of people working on it to make it even better? 
I mean, on the surface, it seems like they're just pushing the devices into obscurity, but at least they're giving owners a chance to breathe new life into them! 
but then they opened up the api docs and it's like a whole new world of possibilities 
i mean, who knows what kind of sick mods and hacks will be created by these awesome developers 
. I mean, who wants to upgrade their setup when they're already invested so much money? But Bose's decision to open source the software is actually a pretty cool move 
.
, you're just making us all retro tech enthusiasts now! I mean, who needs cloud support or Spotify Connect when you can just connect over AirPlay? It's like they're forcing us to go back to the dark ages of speaker technology 
. But seriously, kudos to them for listening to their customers and giving us a way to breathe new life into these old speakers. I'm sure it'll be some hipster developer who comes along and creates a sick custom app that makes our SoundTouch speakers shine all over again 
.
. I just hope it doesn't feel like too much of an afterthought – I mean, they're still extending the EoL date and all... 
. It's not like they're perfect or anything, but at least they're trying to make things right. Fingers crossed that this is the start of something new and exciting for them 
.