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Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

arstechnica.com

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Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#361

Post by actionfromafar »

astrange wrote: post #323
awesome_dude wrote: post #307

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Whilst the support might be "outstanding" - the discussion is what happens once devices are no longer supported.

You can't release all the documentation just because the entire phone isn't supported. Many of the components come from other suppliers and aren't obsolete, and you can't just reveal all your suppliers' IP.

They don't have to - just give an option to unlock the device when it's EOL.

It's not a security problem, since they don't support it anylonger anyways!

They could even make it so, that iOS itself refuses to boot if the device is unlocked. That way you can't accidentally have an iOS running that's compromised in some way.

But you can still boot Linux or Android or whatever you want to do to it.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#362

Post by astrange »

prmoustache wrote: post #358
astrange wrote: post #323

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can't release all the documentation just because the entire phone isn't supported. Many of the components come from other suppliers and aren't obsolete, and you can't just reveal all your suppliers' IP.

You could if you had a tiny bit of respect for your customers and obtained the necessary licenses to do so.

I don't think anyone has ever accused, say, Qualcomm of having respect for their customers. Much less someone else's customers.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#363

Post by ROOFLES »

seb1204 wrote: post #339
Anthony-G wrote: post #336

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Logitech are my go-to example of a company that does the right thing and deserves recognition for it. They kept their squeezebox.com servers going for a decade after they discontinued their Squeezebox hardware audio players. At the same time, they funded a maintainer to keep improving the open source server software that users can self-host on multiple platforms (Linux, Windows, macOS, Raspberry Pi). Two years ago, t…

I recall there is also an open source and hardware speaker but not 100% sure it's from Logitech.

Teufel Mynd is the open source speaker https://blog.teufelaudio.com/visionary-mynds-insights-on-teu...

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#364

Post by palata »

dear-leader wrote: post #355
hnlmorg wrote: post #346

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And before that it was the “recycle mode” that actually bricked the hardware thus contributing to e-waste: https://www.whathifi.com/news/sonos-explains-why-recycle-mod... Sonos did revert that decision after mounting public pressure too. However they keep pull these kinds of stunts and then later apologising for it. My point is: are you actually changing if you keep making the same mistakes and then only saying “sorr…

I don’t understand what you mean when you say the whole smart speaker industry is crooked. Every company that makes smart speakers is crooked? Or, the making and selling of smart speakers is inherently unethical?

Not the OP, but IMO as soon as a company becomes successful, the leadership becomes focused on making money and not making a good product.

Sometimes making a decent product is part of making money, but that's never a motivation in itself. We have enough examples showing that if it makes more money to enshittify (and usually it does), then they will gladly enshittify.

I wouldn't say it's just the smart speaker industry.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#365

Post by Thorrez »

neilv wrote: post #337
filoleg wrote: post #237

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Bose should not receive praise for this move. Bose only took this action after community backlash. They received the backlash, they responded to it by properly addressing the criticism and doing the right thing. It should be praised. Especially since it wasn't some PR-centric damage control, but an actual direct address of the specific points their original approach was criticized for. Compare Bose's response to th…

Agreed. When someone does something, hears the complaints, and changes, it's charitable to bin them as someone who made a mistake and wants to improve. Not every company deserves this charity, but the social media default nowadays is to deny that charity to everyone, and to go scorched-earth.

Even if they don't want to improve, and just do it reluctantly, it's best to reward them for doing something good, because otherwise they'll have no incentive to do something good in the future.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#366

Post by thaumasiotes »

fainpul wrote: post #243
Wafje wrote: post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bose should not receive praise for this move. Bose only took this action after community backlash. In an older version of their end-of-life announcement, most functionality of the speaker systems would have removed and transformed the devices into dumb-speakers/amps. Good that they changed their statement and took the right action. Even better for the community for stepping up and 'forcing' Bose to do so. Sources: ht…

> transformed the devices into dumb-speakers/amps Isn't that still gonna happen now? From [1]: What will no longer work: • Presets (preset buttons on the product and in the app) Of course Bluetooth and AirPlay continues to work, but isn't that what a "dumb speaker" is? [1] https://www.bose.com/soundtouch-end-of-life

> Isn't that still gonna happen now?

No, if you read farther down the announcement, they also say this:

> Open-source options for the community

> We’re making our technical specifications available so that independent developers can create their own SoundTouch-compatible tools and features. The documentation is available here: https://assets.bosecreative.com/m/496577402d128874/original/...

So, they're going to strip the "smart" functionality from the app that Bose provides, but they're letting people continue to use it if they want to.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#368

Post by BikiniPrince »

stressback wrote: post #343
ww520 wrote: post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to have an unexplained resistance to buy Bose products. After the hinge of my Sony mx-1000 headphones broke in to two places, I gave in and got a Bose qc. Man, the build quality was insanely good. The sound was really good. And it’s really comfortable to wear. I had changed my view.

This is going to read like I'm shilling but: I was so impressed with Bose QC headphones that i stocked up and gave out 7 pairs to my closest friends and family this year for christmas

Thee noise cancellation was unmatched several years ago. I picked up mine because we were spending hours in the data center. Suddenly we could work and take calls in that hell. I still have those, but the AirPods have taken their place on flights. It’s just less to bring with me.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#369

Post by BikiniPrince »

compounding_it wrote: post #331

The one thing I’d love to have is repairable Bose headphones. I’ve used different ones but Bose with proper EQ settings are extremely good. The comfort levels on those is exceptional. In my entire life I’ve never seen headphones this comfortable. But once the battery wears out getting it repaired seems to include soldering. Should’ve been easily swappable. Also their Bluetooth can be finicky. One more area that needs…

Repairing the QC 35 was not difficult. It’s just a shame it requires soldering on a new battery pack. Even the drivers are replaceable with that little tool. A few years ago I gave mine an affordable overhaul with a new battery and replaced the earmuffs. Right as rain now.

Re: Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers

#370

Post by fainpul »

thaumasiotes wrote: post #366
fainpul wrote: post #243

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> transformed the devices into dumb-speakers/amps Isn't that still gonna happen now? From [1]: What will no longer work: • Presets (preset buttons on the product and in the app) Of course Bluetooth and AirPlay continues to work, but isn't that what a "dumb speaker" is? [1] https://www.bose.com/soundtouch-end-of-life

> Isn't that still gonna happen now? No, if you read farther down the announcement, they also say this: > Open-source options for the community > We’re making our technical specifications available so that independent developers can create their own SoundTouch-compatible tools and features. The documentation is available here: https://assets.bosecreative.com/m/496577402d128874/original/... So, they're going to strip…

I've read that document. As I understand, the "smart" capabilities are exactly the presets. Those need their server to function. Do you see anything saying otherwise?
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