Bose has released API docs and opened the API for its EoL SoundTouch speakers • Hacker News Board

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

#81

Post by GuB-42 » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC

thesh4d0w wrote: post #14

Providing API specs is not open-sourcing them. Where's the source code?

I admit that I expected more. They really did the minimum, as in, anything less should have been illegal. It is praiseworthy, but it is unfortunate that it is.

Seeing that, I expected the ability to build and run a custom firmware, like with an Android device with its bootloader unlocked. But it is not that, and they didn't open source their app either.

What they did is that they removed dependence on their servers, and opened their device to be controlled by third party apps. That is, they let users use their device past its end of life, including when the first party app will stop being maintained, but not to the point of letting user add features.

In understand why they would do that, they don't want users to backport features only available on their latest models that are sold at a premium, therefore competing against themselves. After all, the value in smart speakers is not the sound producing device, which I think is a problem that has been solved more than a decade ago at the consumer level, it is all about software features.

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

#82

Post by idiotsecant » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:25 PM UTC

The headline is somewhat questionable, but that's not Bose's fault.

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

#83

Post by samrus » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:25 PM UTC

worldsavior wrote: post #58

ktg0215 wrote: post #8

This is how "end of support" should be handled. Instead of turning devices into e-waste, open-source them and let the community extend their life. Kudos to Bose for setting a good example. More companies should follow this approach - especially as right-to-repair becomes a bigger issue.

[flagged]

Linux being opensource helped people alot who werent engineers. Its for the benefit of opensource devs who can make software for normal people to use

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

#84

Post by kiney » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC

Teckla wrote: post #75

DiabloD3 wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Bose hardware quality is rather low and, and their sound quality is sub-par, while forcing you to pay the Bose brand tax, riding the corpse of Amar around for profit. I'd avoid, even if they happened to do this.

My experience is the opposite: Bose hardware and sound quality seems excellent to me. This may be subjective. Bose might sound good to some people's ears and less good to other people's ears.

I don't know about Bose. But sound quality in general is absolutely objectively measurable.

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

#85

Post by tyre » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC

arcfour wrote: post #76

bbminner wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A long while ago i heard something (that might have been a urban myth) about Bose putting useless weight into their headphones to make them appear more "substantially professional". Is that a myth or they have pivoted towards actual quality since early days?

My understanding of modern Bose kit based on RTINGS reviews is that it's fairly competitive in its price range. Still a touch pricey for what you get, but not bad by any means—like 2nd/3rd best, and occasionally punching above its weight for their midrange offerings. They seem to be #1 for comfort (headphones) though. I don't own any, I've just read reviews from when I was in the market for new headphones and earbuds…

Their headphones are remarkably comfortable

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

#86

Post by samrus » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC

dspillett wrote: post #53

This is not open sourcing any actual software or hardware it is “open-sourcing the API documentation for its SoundTouch smart speakers”. You might be able to point them at an alternative back-end¹ if you want the cloud features, but that will need to be written from scratch rather than being forked from code provided by Sonos. > When cloud support ends, an update to the SoundTouch app will add local controls to retai…

Yeah but writing that backend app will be much much easier now

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

#87

Post by embedding-shape » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:27 PM UTC

worldsavior wrote: post #58

ktg0215 wrote: post #8

This is how "end of support" should be handled. Instead of turning devices into e-waste, open-source them and let the community extend their life. Kudos to Bose for setting a good example. More companies should follow this approach - especially as right-to-repair becomes a bigger issue.

[flagged]

Yeah, fuck hacking right? Who could possibly do that anyways?

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

#88

Post by 10729287 » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:27 PM UTC

DiabloD3 wrote: post #69

jeffwask wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This def needs to be celebrated and rewarded. I am more likely to purchase Bose now.

Bose hardware quality is rather low and, and their sound quality is sub-par, while forcing you to pay the Bose brand tax, riding the corpse of Amar around for profit. I'd avoid, even if they happened to do this.

Typical so called audiophile stance here. I have numerous headphones (including high ends ones) and always been happy with my Bose. Sound is great and gently enhanced for listening enjoyment, whatever snobs could say about it, and the hardware is really nice. My Bose SoundSport earbuds are the best fit I ever had in 30+ years of wearing earbuds and my QC35 never failed on me. That move from them adds to all the great things I can say about this brand.

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

#89

Post by dominicrose » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:28 PM UTC

ForHackernews wrote: post #3

Good for them! I own two sets of noise-cancelling Bose headphones and a (dumb) speaker, and they've all been pretty solid, and for half the price of equivalent Apple headphones.

I'm still using stereo speakers even though the local store seems to only sell single units. They have bluetooth but I don't see why they would need to be "smarter" than this.

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

#90

Post by embedding-shape » Thu, Jan 08, 2026, 4:28 PM UTC

nunez wrote: post #66

The folks on /r/bose were complaining loudly about this. I'm glad that Bose heard them and is allowing SoundTouch app development to continue!

You know, it's human to err sometimes, and since corporations apparently are people too, so can they err, this was written.

Sometimes companies fuck up, what's really refreshing is to see a company backpedal on a shit choice, and decide to do better. Nicely done Bose!