TL;DR
Bose will publish the API documentation for its SoundTouch smart speakers and has postponed the planned end of official cloud support to May 6, 2026. An app update will add local controls so core functions like Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify Connect and speaker grouping continue to work without the cloud.
What happened
Bose announced it will open-source the API documentation for its legacy SoundTouch smart speakers and pushed back the previously scheduled end of cloud support from February 18 to May 6, 2026. Ahead of the cloud cutoff, the company plans an update to the SoundTouch mobile app that introduces local control options intended to preserve as much functionality as possible when cloud services are disabled. Users are reported to retain local streaming methods — Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify Connect — plus physical AUX input, and basic features such as remote control, speaker grouping, and device setup remain available. By publishing the API docs, Bose is enabling independent developers and hobbyists to build compatible tools or replacement services to cover any gaps left by the loss of cloud features. The move was noted in reporting by Ars Technica and summarized in coverage by The Verge.
Why it matters
- Open-sourcing the API gives users and developers the tools to extend or replace cloud-dependent features, reducing the likelihood of devices becoming unusable.
- Delaying the support cutoff gives owners more time to transition to local setups or community-built solutions.
- Preserving local streaming and grouping means speakers retain many core functions even without Bose’s cloud services.
- The approach contrasts with cases where cloud shutdowns leave devices effectively bricked, highlighting an alternative end-of-life pathway for connected hardware.
Key facts
- Bose will release the API documentation for SoundTouch smart speakers as open-source.
- The company moved the planned end of official cloud support from February 18 to May 6, 2026.
- A SoundTouch app update will add local controls to maintain functionality without cloud services.
- Users will still be able to stream via Bluetooth, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect, and use a physical AUX connection.
- Remote control features, speaker grouping, and device setup/configuration are expected to continue to work after cloud services end.
- Open-sourcing the API allows third parties and hobbyists to create compatible tools or replacement services.
- The reporting referenced Ars Technica and was summarized by The Verge in a January 8, 2026 article.
What to watch next
- Whether independent developers or community projects emerge to provide replacement cloud services or enhanced local tools — not confirmed in the source.
- If Bose will publish any firmware or additional code (beyond API documentation) under an open-source license — not confirmed in the source.
- How the user experience of the SoundTouch app changes after the local-control update is rolled out and whether any features will be lost — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- API (Application Programming Interface): A set of rules and specifications that allows different software components to communicate and interact with each other.
- Open-source: Software or documentation made publicly available so others can inspect, modify, and distribute it, typically under a defined license.
- Cloud services: Remote servers and software hosted on the internet that provide functionality such as data storage, authentication, and feature delivery to devices.
- AirPlay: Apple’s wireless streaming protocol that lets users send audio and video from Apple devices to compatible receivers.
- Spotify Connect: A feature that allows Spotify users to stream music directly to networked speakers and devices using the Spotify app as a controller.
Reader FAQ
What exactly is Bose doing with SoundTouch?
Bose is publishing the SoundTouch API documentation as open-source and has postponed the cloud support shutdown to May 6, 2026.
Will my SoundTouch speakers stop working once cloud support ends?
According to the announcement, an app update will enable local controls and common streaming methods will still function, so the speakers are not expected to be bricked.
Can users create their own services or apps for SoundTouch?
Yes. Open-sourcing the API documentation is intended to let developers and hobbyists build compatible tools or replacement services.
Will Bose provide open-source firmware or ongoing official support after May 6, 2026?
Not confirmed in the source.
NEWS TECH AUDIO Bose is open-sourcing its old smart speakers instead of bricking them SoundTouch speakers could now have a second life, and won’t lose support until May. by Stevie…
Sources
- Bose is open-sourcing its old smart speakers instead of bricking them
- Bose closes cloud service for its SoundTouch wireless …
- SoundTouch Cloud Service Ending | What It Means for You
- Bose SoundTouch Smart WiFi Speakers Are About To Go …
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