Bose SoundTouch home theater systems regress into dumb speakers Feb. 18

Bose, a prominent audio equipment manufacturer, has announced that it will be discontinuing support for its SoundTouch home theater systems. This decision effectively transforms these once-smart speakers into "dumb" devices, as they will no longer receive software updates or be compatible with the company's mobile app. The move is seen as a strategic shift by Bose, aiming to avoid a situation similar to that of Sonos, another audio brand that faced backlash from customers when it announced plans to end support for older products. By discontinuing the SoundTouch line, Bose can focus its resources on developing and supporting newer audio technologies, potentially offering more advanced features and capabilities to its customers. While the decision may disappoint some SoundTouch owners, Bose has stated that the systems will continue to function as standalone speakers, even without the app and software updates. The company has also indicated that it will provide guidance to customers on how to continue using their SoundTouch systems.