January 8, 2026
Bose pulls a plot twist
Bose is open-sourcing its old smart speakers instead of bricking them
Bose shocks buyers by *not* trashing their old speakers, internet briefly believes in good companies again
TLDR: Bose is keeping its aging smart speakers usable by opening up their software details instead of turning them into dead plastic. Commenters are praising the move as rare, slamming other companies for bricking products, and calling for laws to make this kind of “don’t kill my stuff” behavior mandatory.
Bose just did the tech equivalent of not ghosting an ex: instead of quietly killing off its old SoundTouch smart speakers, it’s open-sourcing the software details and keeping them alive a bit longer. And the internet commenters are… weirdly impressed. One user simply sighed, “Some good news,” like they’d just seen a puppy rescued from a burning data center.
Owners who were bracing for their pricey speakers to turn into fancy doorstops are now celebrating that Bose will let them keep using local controls and basic features like Bluetooth and AirPlay (simple ways to play music wirelessly) even after cloud support ends. One commenter says this move actually makes them more likely to buy Bose next time because it’s better for the environment and doesn’t just toss working gear into the trash — a rare “corporation did a thing and I approve” moment.
But under the feel-good vibes, there’s drama: people are pointing out how messed up it is that not bricking products is seen as heroic. Another commenter calls it “sad this isn’t the default,” and hopes laws will force companies to stop killing games and gadgets on a whim. The mood: cautious praise, side‑eye at the whole industry, and a faint but noticeable “maybe capitalism isn’t always terrible” meme energy.
Key Points
- •Bose will open-source API documentation for SoundTouch smart speakers.
- •The end-of-support date has been moved to May 6, 2026, from the previously slated February 18.
- •A SoundTouch app update will add local controls to maintain functionality without cloud services.
- •Streaming via Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and AUX will continue to work; remote control and speaker grouping remain.
- •Open-sourcing enables users to build compatible tools to fill gaps after cloud services end.