Bose Ditches App for AirPlay, Google Cast

Bose has introduced its new Lifestyle Collection, a lineup of audio products including a soundbar, smart speaker, and subwoofer. These devices now support Apple AirPlay and Google Cast, moving away from Bose's proprietary app for music control. This change aligns with industry trends, particularly the challenges faced by competitors like Sonos with their all-in-one control applications.

The collection features the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker at $299, the Ultra Soundbar at $1,099, and the Ultra Subwoofer for $899, available for preorder. The Ultra Soundbar boasts Dolby Atmos compatibility and Alexa Plus, while the Ultra speaker offers flexibility, including functioning as an Atmos channel when used as a rear speaker.

This new range is not backward compatible with existing Bose systems. However, Bose has included a Sub Out port on the soundbar for users to connect their own subwoofers. The shift to third-party streaming protocols aims to offer users more flexibility in managing their audio across various devices and brands.