A welcome development in the tech industry involves a company deciding against disabling connectivity features in its outdated internet-enabled devices.
Bose, the well-known audio company, had initially planned to eliminate online capabilities from its SoundTouch series of Wi-Fi speakers and soundbars, which date back over ten years, effectively stripping away their intelligent features.
The firm has now altered its approach. Although connections to streaming platforms will end, essential local network options will persist. Crucially, Bose is granting external programmers access to the SoundTouch technology.
Under the initial strategy, owners of SoundTouch devices would lose app support starting February 18, preventing playback of music from services like Spotify, Pandora, or TuneIn through the SoundTouch application. Users would need to connect audio using alternatives such as HDMI, optical cables, auxiliary inputs, or Bluetooth pairings. This shift would render the intelligent speakers, priced from $400 to $1,500, into basic audio devices.
In response to strong complaints from frustrated SoundTouch customers, Bose has made concessions. As detailed by Ars Technica, the audio specialist has delayed the cloud service termination to May 6 while maintaining Spotify Connect and AirPlay support. The latter enables synchronized music playback across several SoundTouch units.
The SoundTouch app will no longer support cloud-based operations but will continue managing local controls, such as Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect playback, along with remote start, stop, volume adjustments, speaker synchronization, and device initialization and settings.
In a significant step forward, Bose is permitting developers to explore the SoundTouch API, allowing creation of custom applications for speaker management.
It's common for users facing the obsolescence of connected gadgets to urge companies to release source code before the devices become obsolete. This occurred when Google discontinued updates for its initial two generations of Nest thermostats; although the company has not budged, enthusiasts have independently developed solutions.
It's refreshing to witness a prominent company like Bose expose the SoundTouch API, providing extended usability for its phasing-out audio products.
This report forms part of TechHive's comprehensive analysis of leading smart speaker options.