TL;DR
Bose said it will publish the API documentation for its legacy SoundTouch smart speakers and has pushed back the planned end of official support from February 18 to May 6, 2026. When cloud services end, an update to the SoundTouch app is expected to add local controls.
What happened
Bose announced plans to make the API documentation for its SoundTouch smart speaker line publicly available. The company had previously slated the devices to lose official cloud support on February 18, but has moved that date to May 6, 2026. According to the report, when the cloud services are discontinued Bose will issue an update to the SoundTouch mobile app that adds local controls for the speakers. The change in approach — sharing API documentation rather than simply terminating service — was reported by Ars Technica and relayed in the available coverage. The announcement centers on enabling alternative control paths for the hardware once cloud features are removed, though specific technical details about what will be published or how it will be maintained were not included in the excerpt provided.
Why it matters
- Publishing API documentation can allow third parties and users to build their own integrations and preserve functionality after official cloud services end.
- Delaying the support cutoff gives owners more time to prepare for the transition to local control.
- Adding local controls in the app may reduce reliance on Bose’s cloud services and help users keep basic functionality.
- Open documentation can change the lifecycle expectations for older smart devices and influence how manufacturers manage end-of-life plans.
Key facts
- Bose will open-source the API documentation for its SoundTouch smart speakers.
- The previously announced end-of-support date of February 18 has been moved to May 6, 2026.
- When cloud support ends, Bose plans an update to the SoundTouch app that will add local controls.
- Ars Technica is cited in the available coverage as reporting the change.
- The available excerpt does not include the full technical scope or the precise contents of the documentation being released.
- The reporting was published on January 8, 2026 (source article date).
What to watch next
- Whether the released API documentation is comprehensive enough for community-built replacements or integrations (not confirmed in the source).
- If independent developers or projects announce unofficial firmware, apps, or integrations based on the published docs (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether Bose will publish additional materials, such as firmware or developer tools, alongside the API documentation (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- API documentation: Technical information that describes how software components communicate and how developers can use an interface to control a device or service.
- Cloud support: Remote services hosted by a company that provide features like streaming, authentication, or remote management for a device.
- Local controls: Device control features that operate on the same local network or directly on a device without relying on remote cloud services.
- Open-source: A development model where code or documentation is made publicly available so others can use, modify, and distribute it under specified terms.
Reader FAQ
Will my SoundTouch speaker stop working when cloud support ends?
Not confirmed in the source. The excerpt says Bose will add local controls in an app update when cloud support ends, but it does not state the full extent of functionality that will remain.
What exactly is Bose open-sourcing?
The source states Bose will publish the API documentation for SoundTouch speakers; further details about other materials are not provided.
When will official support for SoundTouch end?
Bose moved the end-of-support date from February 18 to May 6, 2026, according to the available report.
Will third parties be able to take over maintenance?
Not confirmed in the source. The release of API documentation may enable community efforts, but the excerpt does not confirm any third-party maintenance arrangements.
In a surprisingly user-friendly move, Bose has announced it will be open-sourcing the API documentation for its SoundTouch smart speakers, which were slated to lose official support on February 18th,…
Sources
- Bose is open-sourcing its old smart speakers instead of bricking them
- SoundTouch Cloud Service Ending | What It Means for You
- Bose open-sources its SoundTouch home theater smart …
- Bose Extends Support for Speakers After Customer Backlash
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