Bose makes some of the best speakers around, but they also cost a pretty penny. When the company announced plans to end support for its SoundTouch models last year and remove key features, many owners were understandably unhappy. After increasing backlash, the company has now released an update that provides some peace of mind.
According to Bloomberg, Bose told affected users in an email that its SoundTouch products will lose cloud connectivity on May 6, rather than February 18 as previously announced. The speakers will continue to work with local sources after the new deadline and will even continue to have access to features like Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay.
Bose originally planned to remove all of these features and discontinue the companion app. However, in its most recent announcement, the company said it will now automatically update the SoundTouch app on May 6 “to a version that supports the features that can be performed locally without the cloud.” The app remains available for download in all regions until further notice.
With this new version, users can stream music from their favorite apps via Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify Connect and AUX. It also allows setup and configuration, remote control functions and speaker grouping. After the update, the preset buttons on the speakers no longer work and users cannot browse or play music directly from the SoundTouch app.
SoundTouch speakers get new life
Bose notes that SoundTouch products will no longer receive security or software updates after May 6 and urges users to use them on a secure and private network. The company also recommends users update their speakers to the latest firmware version before the deadline, as system updates will no longer be available once 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, potentially extending their lifespan.
