bose recycles discontinued wireless speakers by making them open-source

"The company confirmed that cloud support for the family of devices ends on May 6th, 2026, and this change affects how the SoundTouch app works. The news first came in October 2025, and after hearing feedback from users, the brand decided to move the shutdown date from February to May to give people more time to prepare. Before the cloud shuts down, the SoundTouch app will update by itself."

"After May 6th, the app will still open and still control the speakers, but only through local connections on the same Wi-Fi network. Bose, then, is releasing the technical specifications of the wireless speakers as open-source documentation, which allows independent developers to build new tools, apps, and features that work with SoundTouch products. In simple terms, Bose is opening the doors and letting the community step in, a move that can matter for recycling and the devices' long-term use."

"Many smart gadgets become electronic waste when cloud services shut down. The hardware still works, but software locks stop people from using it. By keeping the wireless speakers working locally and sharing the API and documents, Bose reduces this risk since open-source access allows developers to extend the life of SoundTouch products. Someone could build a new app that replaces lost features."

Bose will end cloud support for SoundTouch devices on May 6, 2026, moving the shutdown date from February after user feedback. The SoundTouch app will auto-update before the cloud closure and will continue to open and control speakers via local Wi-Fi only after the shutdown. Bose will publish technical specifications as open-source documentation so independent developers can build replacement apps, tools, and integrations. Core playback options including Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, AUX, speaker grouping, volume control, and pause will remain functional. Open-source access intends to reduce electronic waste by enabling community-driven maintenance and extended device lifespans.

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