Bose Tackles Music Streaming With SoundTouch

After more than four years of development, Bose is ready to launch a music streaming system that includes three new wireless speakers and an app for accessing and controlling music.

The SoundTouch Wi-Fi system launches October 10 and includes the SoundTouch 30 ($699, with a 9-pound woofer for deep base), SoundTouch 20 ($399, a fully redesigned system to optimize sound quality in a smaller footprint) and SoundTouch Portable. Almost all of Bose's new and refreshed products - including VideoWave entertainment systems (early next year), Wave music systems (in December) and Jewel Cube speakers - will be based on the SoundTouch architecture. All SoundTouch products are AirPlay enabled and include a remote. A premium controller (shaped like the Nest thermostat, it can hang on the wall and automatically lights up when someone approaches it) will be sold separately for $99.

Bose executives and engineers said they had one major goal when they first started designing the system: To make it as easy as possible for anyone in the household to set up, manage and use. "We're trying to reach customers who appreciate ease of