Bose’s 10.12.12 firmware update adds Bluetooth LE Audio, Android spatial audio and improved USB performance to the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), although the headline wireless upgrade is unavailable on Apple devices.
Bose has pushed a sizeable firmware update to its QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), adding four features that broaden the headphones’ usefulness beyond standard wireless listening. According to What Hi-Fi?, the 10.12.12 update brings Bluetooth LE Audio, 5.1 spatial audio with head tracking for compatible Android phones, improved gaming and voice performance over USB-C, and better USB behaviour for web conferencing applications.
The most significant addition is Bluetooth LE Audio, a newer wireless standard designed to be more efficient than conventional Bluetooth and to support the LC3 codec. In theory, that should offer better sound than basic SBC playback, although the real-world benefit is still debated. Bose has also quietly opened the door to Auracast, which allows one device to broadcast audio to multiple compatible headphones at once, a feature that could be useful in public venues such as airports or stations.
There is, however, an important limitation: Bluetooth LE Audio does not work with Apple devices. That means the headline wireless upgrade is effectively reserved for Android and Windows users. Bose’s update notes also do not promise a battery-life improvement, even though LE Audio’s lower power demands could, in principle, bring marginal gains. For Apple owners, the new software will be far less transformative.
Bose says the firmware is delivered through its app and can take a long time to complete. What Hi-Fi? reports that the download itself may take up to 40 minutes, with installation adding another 15 minutes on top. Bose’s support pages also set out the compatible update methods and browsers for the updater tool, underlining that the process is not entirely frictionless. Even so, the update shows how premium wireless headphones can continue to improve after purchase, while rivals such as Sony and Sennheiser are also moving towards LE Audio on selected models.
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