For decades, devices were judged primarily by their hardware capabilities—how powerful the processor was, how sleek the design looked, how durable the materials were, or the quality of the output. Today, that’s no longer enough. In this software-defined era, device functionality is rooted in software, allowing it to dynamically grow over time. 

For manufacturers of speakers and other devices, this creates both challenges and opportunities. Those who embrace the software-defined model can innovate faster, deliver richer user experiences, and stay ahead of competitors.

What are Software-Defined Devices?

In earlier times, a device’s functionality was locked in place the moment it left the production line. Manufacturers had to design, produce, and distribute whole new hardware in order to add functionality. This method was slow, expensive, and, frankly, unsustainable in today's fast-paced market.

Enter the concept of the software-defined device (SDD). With SDD, a device is designed to be flexible and programmable, enabling its capabilities to evolve over time through targeted, real-time software adjustments, rather than a full system update. This separation of hardware and software allows manufacturers to introduce new features, optimize performance, and adapt to changing consumer needs, all without requiring physical updates.

As SemiEngineering notes, this approach transforms the role of hardware into a platform for innovation rather than a limiting factor. The article explains, “Hardware, software, and firmware that are mission- and safety-critical must be able to handle software updates a decade or more into the future” (How Software-Defined Vehicles Change Auto Chip Design, 2025).

AI also plays a significant role in the advancement of SDDs. AI enhances the capabilities of these systems, allowing for predictive maintenance, adaptability, personalization, and enhanced security, as well as more efficient processing and decision-making. For instance, McKinsey explains how AI can optimize the performance of software-defined devices by learning from data and making real-time adjustments (Software-Defined Hardware in the Age of AI, 2025).

Technologies that Enable Software-Defined Devices

Many technologies have contributed to the rise of software-defined devices, but some stand out as fundamental enablers, providing the required flexibility, intelligence, and connectivity. 

  • Cloud computing provides virtually unlimited computing power and storage, enabling scalability and on-demand resource allocation. For software-defined devices, this means: 
    • Centralized management and remote updates: Devices can receive real-time software updates and optimizations without physical intervention.
    • Cost efficiency and reduced hardware dependency: By offloading intensive processing tasks to the cloud, manufacturers can create leaner devices.
    • Interoperability: Devices can easily communicate across ecosystems (e.g. smart homes, connected audio systems).
    • Resilience and data protection: Cloud backups ensure data recovery in case of device failure. 
    • AI & big data capabilities: The cloud powers complex AI models, machine learning algorithms, and analytics, enhancing user experiences through personalization.
  • Machine Learning (ML) enhances software-defined devices by enabling them to analyze data, adapt, and improve performance over time. ML enables:
    • Predictive insights: Devices can anticipate failures or optimize consumption based on usage patterns.
    • Personalization: User preferences are learned and applied to tailor experiences, such as in smart assistants or recommendation features.
  • Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) act as the connective tissue between software applications and devices, facilitating integration and expanding device capabilities. Their role includes:
    • Ecosystem connectivity: Devices can interact with cloud platforms, mobile apps, and third-party services (e.g. integrating music streaming services into connected speakers).
    • Scalability: New features can be added through updates without requiring hardware changes.
    • Remote management: Devices can be monitored, controlled, and updated via cloud-based platforms.
    • Security enhancements: APIs provide authentication mechanisms (e.g. OAuth) to protect user and data privacy. 

Why This Matters for Device Makers

For device manufacturers, including those producing consumer-facing products like speakers, the benefits of software-defined devices are profound.

  1. Sustainable Improvement: Software-defined devices can extend their value and functionality even after deployment through real-time updates, reducing electronic waste. Instead of replacing outdated hardware, manufacturers can push regularly software changes to improve performance and features. 
  2. Cost Efficiency: Redesigning hardware is expensive and time-consuming. With SDD, the bulk of the innovation happens in software, which is significantly more efficient to develop, distribute, and maintain. Manufacturers can allocate resources more effectively, focusing on creating a robust, flexible hardware base while investing in software development to meet customer needs.
  3. Personalization: Consumers today expect products that feel tailored to their unique needs. Software-defined devices make personalization not just possible, but scalable, though this is dependent on a reliable user interface. While device makers may not have the necessary resources to build an app from scratch, software solutions handle the in-app personalization so that end users get the best experience organizing and playing their content. 
  4. Faster Time to Market: In a hyper-competitive environment, speed is critical. Companies that rely on static hardware design may find themselves lagging behind more agile competitors. With SDD, manufacturers can respond quickly to market demands, releasing updates and enhancements instantly instead of waiting months for a new hardware iteration.
  5. Opportunities for Innovation: By embracing software-defined strategies, device makers can unlock new opportunities for collaboration with third-party software companies. These partnerships allow manufacturers to leverage years of software expertise from specialized firms in order to co-develop new features and services that enhance user experiences, benefiting all parties involved. 
  6. Actionable Insights: Software-defined devices give manufacturers better visibility into how their products are used, when users choose to opt in. This usage data provides valuable insights into user preferences and behaviors, helping brands refine performance, personalize features, and make informed decisions for future product development. Over time, this leads to smarter design choices and stronger customer relationships. 
Cloud-enabled mobile device

Challenges Along the Way

Of course, the road to a software-defined future isn’t without obstacles:

  • For one, there’s a cultural shift required within many manufacturing organizations. Historically, these companies were focused entirely on hardware and often had little to no internal software expertise. As software began to play a larger role, any teams that were added often worked in silos, separate from hardware engineering. SDD demands closer collaboration between these disciplines from the earliest stages of product development.
  • Integration and compatibility can be significant hurdles. As new software features are developed, ensuring they work seamlessly across a variety of hardware configurations can be complex. Poor integration can lead to performance issues, instability and inefficient resource utilization, all of which impact user experience and long-term operational stability.
  • The absence of universal industry standards can create fragmentation, making it difficult for devices from different brands to work together. Many manufacturers may lack the in-house expertise to address these challenges, making collaboration with third-party software providers essential.
  • There’s also the challenge of security. With software taking center stage, and the large amounts of data sent back and forth, the risk of vulnerabilities increases. Manufacturers need robust systems in place to ensure that software updates are secure, and that devices are protected against potential cyberattacks.

How Cinemo Can Help

At Cinemo, we’ve built the first open cloud ecosystem designed specifically to enable software-defined devices and bridge the expertise gap between device makers, content providers and end users.

Cinemo allows manufacturers to continuously add new features and certified content providers to their devices, giving consumers access to services they didn’t even know they wanted, long after production and purchase. This keeps devices relevant, increasing long-term engagement and brand loyalty. Another benefit is the immediate access end users gain to advanced playback features – such as multi-room audio, synchronized playback, and stereo pairing – with minimal development required.

Our solution is scalable, flexible, and secure, helping manufacturers to focus on what they do best: creating great products.

The future is software-defined, and the time to act is now. By embracing this transformation, device makers can not only stay competitive but also redefine what’s possible.