Bose SoundTouch

[BayGBM]

I own two Bose SoundTouch products… and they have been great… but Bose recently sent a lengthy email to me and other owners:

Dear SoundTouch product owner: 

We're getting in touch to share an update that will impact how you use your system in the future. 

On February 18, 2026, Bose will discontinue cloud support for all SoundTouch products. Until that date, your system will continue functioning as usual, including access to cloud-based features through the SoundTouch app.   

After February 18, certain features — including access to integrated music services like Spotify and TuneIn, as well as multi-room playback — will no longer be available....

They discontinued support for the desktop SoundTouch app years ago.  I don’t use these features much but the idea that they are going away pisses me off!  It’s not like the company is going out of business so why are discontinuing these features and abandoning owners?  The email goes on to offer me a discount code as compensation to buy other Bose products... but why would I want to buy more products from this company when they have proven their willingness to pull the plug on product features that I thought I had purchased.

Bay no likey! 

[FitnessFrenzy]

can't speak on this, Bay, but I own two different sets of Bose headphones and the quality is amazing. I mainly bought them for their world class noise cancelling abilities.

[sync pulse]

You are at the mercy of streaming services...They are able to pull content at any time, even if you have "Bought It" instead of "Renting".

Physical media for me whenever possible.

[BayGBM]

can't speak on this, Bay, but I own two different sets of Bose headphones and the quality is amazing. I mainly bought them for their world class noise cancelling abilities.

I’m listening to the SoundTouch 30 right now and the sound is as good as ever!  I do not regret buying this product.  The SoundTouch 20 is smaller and not quite as good but it’s great for my bedroom or office.

[Grape Ape]

I have the same issue with Sonos.

I was an early adopter, the speakers sound incredible, but I get hiccups, and Sonos will no longer support it.

[BayGBM]

I have the same issue with Sonos.

I was an early adopter, the speakers sound incredible, but I get hiccups, and Sonos will no longer support it.

That is such a shitty way to do business.  How hard is it to support a speaker?  The expense of doing so is an investment in your company's reputation.  If you make a speaker with software that connects to a computer or smartphone you KNOW that computing device is going have OS upgrades over time.  Commit to making your own software evolve and be compatible with the future software of connected devices.  It cannot be THAT expensive to keep coders on staff or even contract the work out periodically.  Heck these days you an make AI do it. 

[Grape Ape]

That is such a shitty way to do business.  How hard is it to support a speaker?  The expense of doing so is an investment in your company's reputation.  If you make a speaker with software that connects to a computer or smartphone you KNOW that computing device is going have OS upgrades over time.  Commit to making your own software evolve and be compatible with the future software of connected devices.  It cannot be THAT expensive to keep coders on staff or even contract the work out periodically.  Heck these days you an make AI do it. 

100% agree.

Sad thing was their customer service was absolutely incredible outside of that.

Similar thing happening at Garmin - I have their Epix 2, which was their premier watch a short time ago.  They stopped adding features to it.  Complete horseshit.

[BayGBM]

An update:

Dear SoundTouch owner,
 
In October, we let you know cloud support for SoundTouch products would be ending. Since then, we’ve heard from some owners with questions and feedback, and we’ve been listening carefully. Today, we have an update to share that addresses these concerns and provides new information to help you continue enjoying your favorite music and content.
 
Cloud support will still be ending, but we are extending the date from February 18 to May 6, 2026 to better support you during the transition.
 
Before cloud support ends, the SoundTouch app will get an automatic update.
 
On May 6, 2026, the app will automatically update to a version that supports key functions without relying on the cloud. All you will need to do is open the app and the update will run automatically.
 
What will continue to work:
 
• Setting up and configuring your system
• Remote control features, such as Play, Pause, Skip, and Volume
• Grouping multiple speakers together
• Streaming music directly from your favorite Music Service apps
 
What will no longer work:
 
• Presets (preset buttons on the product and in the app)
• Browsing or playing music services directly in the SoundTouch app
 
Important Note: Your system will no longer receive security and software updates. Please make sure to always use your system on a secure, private network.
 
How to keep listening after May 6
 
You can still play and enjoy music through your favorite Music Services (i.e. TuneIn, Pandora, etc.) by streaming directly from their apps and sending the audio to your SoundTouch system using AirPlay, Bluetooth, or AUX.
 
If you use Spotify, you can continue streaming with Spotify Connect through the Spotify app.
 
Open-source options for the community
 
We’re also releasing SoundTouch API documentation so third parties can create their own capabilities.
 
We’ll share more updates in the coming months. In the meantime, you can find detailed guidance on our dedicated support page. Click the “Learn More” link below to go to this page.
 
Thank you for being a Bose customer.

[BayGBM]

You are at the mercy of streaming services...They are able to pull content at any time, even if you have "Bought It" instead of "Renting".

Physical media for me whenever possible.

Which is why I do not subscribe to any streaming music service. All of the music I listen to is music I own: either ripped from a CD or purchased and downloaded.  No one can turn it off but me.