Bose makes some of the best speakers around, but they also cost a pretty penny. So when the company revealed plans to drop support for its SoundTouch models and remove key features last year, many owners were understandably not happy. Following mounting backlash, the company has now shared an update that offers some respite.
According to Bloomberg, Bose has told affected users in an email that its SoundTouch products will lose cloud connectivity on May 6, instead of February 18 as previously announced. The speakers will continue to work with local sources following the new deadline, and even retain access to features like Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay.
Bose initially planned to remove all this functionality and sunset its companion app. However, in its latest announcement, the company has revealed that it will now automatically update the SoundTouch app on May 6 “to a version that supports the functions that can operate locally without the cloud.” The app will also remain available for download in all regions until further notice.
This new version will let users stream music from their favorite apps over Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and AUX. It will also allow for setup and configuration, remote control features, and speaker grouping. Following the update, Preset buttons on speakers will no longer work, and users won’t be able to browse or play music directly from the SoundTouch app.
SoundTouch speakers get a new lease on life
Bose notes that SoundTouch products won’t receive security or software updates after May 6 and urges users to use them on a secure and private network. The company also advises users to update their speakers to the latest firmware version before the deadline, as system updates won’t be available once its cloud services go offline.
Interestingly, Bose has also open-sourced its SoundTouch APIs, allowing interested developers to create their own tools and features for compatible speakers, which could potentially extend their lifespan.