Bose Products Could Be Returning to Apple Store Shelves Next Week [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Back in October, Apple removed all Bose audio products, both demo and sellable, from its retail stores around the world, but it appears the company may be planning to reintroduce Bose products to store shelves in the near future.

According to a source that spoke to French Apple website iGen.fr [Google Translate], some Apple retail stores have begun receiving shipments of Bose products with orders to put the products back on store shelves next week.

It was not clear why Apple removed Bose products from its retail stores, but the decision did follow Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics and a July patent infringement lawsuit that Bose filed against Beats. In the lawsuit, Bose accused Beats Electronics of infringing on several patents related to noise cancellation and other audio technologies with its Beats Studio and Studio Wireless headphones.

Shortly before Bose products were removed from Apple Stores, Beats and Bose agreed to settle the dispute between them, so it's possible that a planned removal and reinstatement of Bose products may be related to now-settled disagreement between the two companies. The move to remove Bose products from stores may have been initiated ahead of the settlement, with the products now able to return due to the end of the feud.

While a return of Bose products to the Apple Store following the end of the lawsuit makes some sense, it remains unclear whether iGen.fr's information is accurate. Beats and Bose still offer competing products, and recently, Bose teamed up with the NFL to ban NFL players from wearing Beats headphones during games. Rather than taking offense at the move, however, Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine was pleased with the attention the ban garnered Beats, saying "I can't believe I'm this lucky" and that it made Beats "look like superheroes."

Bose products are not the only products that Apple has removed from its store shelves in recent months. The company also pulled Fitbit fitness accessories from its retail and online stores in November, without explanation.

Update 12/9: 9to5Mac has acquired internal store information that confirms Bose products such as the SoundLink III Bluetooth Speaker will be returning to store shelves shortly.

Article Link: Bose Products Could Be Returning to Apple Store Shelves Next Week [Updated]

 

[maflynn]

I think its a good move for apple to stock them. Lets not get all petty, and just have beats products. The consumer wins out if they carry Bose imo, and Apple wins out because the consumer doesn't buy them elsewhere.

 

[S.B.G]

Having choice is always a good thing the way I see it.

 

[andreiru]

Not the top dog in audio fidelity and slightly overpriced.

 

[teslo]

Not the top dog in audio fidelity and slightly overpriced.

...i disagree, regarding the mini soundlink (pictured in OP). the thing is a crispy, well-rounded bass Beast.

 

[jontech]

I prefer Bose and would like to see their products in the Apple Store. Hope this is true

 

[Rogifan]

I think its a good move for apple to stock them. Lets not get all petty, and just have beats products. The consumer wins out if they carry Bose imo, and Apple wins out because the consumer doesn't buy them elsewhere.

Except Apple is going to need room once Watch launches. A lot of the stores are cramped the way it is. Removing third-party products to make room for new Apple products only makes sense in my opinion.

 

[Markiie]

Bose needs Apple here. I would guess a huge chunk of their products was being sold through the Apple Store and along with Best Buy.

I'm sure Apple is getting a nice piece of the pie. Everyone is a winner in this deal but it goes without saying.....Apple is the Evil Empire. For sure.

 

[Rogifan]

Having choice is always a good thing the way I see it.

Exactly. Which is why Apple stores weren't the only place you could buy Bose products.

 

[MasterRyu2011]

I love that portable Bose speaker. Very compact, but packs a punch. You can spend less for louder speakers, but the quality is great with this one.

 

[Sonmi451]

I think its a good move for apple to stock them. Lets not get all petty, and just have beats products. The consumer wins out if they carry Bose imo, and Apple wins out because the consumer doesn't buy them elsewhere.

if it's a choice between beats and bose, we all lose.

 

[SimonTheSoundMa]

Bose and Beats, both as bad as each other. Terrible products that are over-hyped and over-priced.

 

[CrazyForApple]

I say big deal. If I wanted something from Bose, I would buy it directly from them.

 

[solamar]

if it's a choice between beats and bose, we all lose.

Neither one.... If you're spending that much money on speakers, buy Sonos, period. Granted, they don't make headphones, yet, but any speaker purchase for that much money, Sonos all the way.

 

[dannyyankou]

It would be awesome if they carried Sennheiser, Grado, Shure, Beyerdynamic, and Audio Technica headphones as well.

 

[gugy]

if it's a choice between beats and bose, we all lose.

I like Sennheiser for headphones and Bowers & Wilkins for speakers, even though their Airplay connectivity plain sucks but the speaker sounds is very good.

 

[scott911]

It would be awesome if they carried Sennheiser, Grado, Shure, Beyerdynamic, and Audio Technica headphones as well.

Really? Carry quality stuff instead of over-hyper trash?
When I see beats on Craigslist or being sold out of the back of a car, I seriously think to myself - lucky bugger - he's getting a counterfeit which will probably sound better than the licensed item! Same with Bose, except for the noise canceling tech which they seem to have some home done right in spite of themselves....

 

[randyj]

I bought that exact Bose product from an Apple store!
Glad to see them making a return.
Some of their headphones and bluetooth speakers are very good.

 

[Rogifan]

It would be awesome if they carried Sennheiser, Grado, Shure, Beyerdynamic, and Audio Technica headphones as well.

What Apple Store has room for all that? Especially with Watch (and possibly a larger iPad) coming in the spring? It's Best Buy that's a joke basically carrying Beats cans, skull candy, Sony and not much else. They have the room to carry more high-quality headphones.

 

[Markiie]

It would be awesome if they carried Sennheiser, Grado, Shure, Beyerdynamic, and Audio Technica headphones as well.

I've bought a paid of Sennheisers at the Apple store so i know they sell those......or at least they use to. Haven't checked lately.

 

[dannyyankou]

I've bought a paid of Sennheisers at the Apple store so i know they sell those......or at least they use to. Haven't checked lately.

Yeah, they sell the momentums but that's it. They should carry some HD598s HD600s, and HD650s.

 

[scoobydoo99]

The company also pulled Fitbit fitness accessories from its retail and online stores in November, without explanation.

why in the world would you expect an "explanation"?!?

Stores change product offerings all the time. Target pulls one brand and stocks another, just like every other retailer. Maybe they got a better deal on a competing product. Maybe that product wasn't moving and they wanted the shelf space for something that sells better. Who knows. Who cares.

 

[Fangio]

Bose? Pffh...

JBL rulez!

 

[69650]

It's only a matter of time before they remove all non-Apple products from their retail stores. Why waste valuable floor space on small margin third party accessories when they could make a range of their own accessories.

They already make cases and covers, with Beats they have a range of speakers and headphones. The Apple Watch will take up a whole table next year and the multitude of straps available will need prime place on the shelves.

Shift all the third party accessories to their online store.

 

[groovyd]

complete garbage