Smart-home technology is becoming a tougher proposition for consumers because manufacturers increasingly disable or degrade products remotely, when they no longer see them as financially viable, even if the hardware still works. This undermines trust in connected devices, since buyers risk losing key “smart” features—or entire services—after purchase, due to business decisions beyond their control. This makes traditional “dumb” devices look more reliable and future-proof by comparison.
Here are recent examples of smart home products and services that have been discontinued or had core “smart” functions shut off:
Google / Nest Dropcam cameras
Models: Dropcam HD and Dropcam Pro.
Status: Cloud support and connectivity ended on April 8, 2024; cameras no longer function as networked security devices, though owners were offered a free Nest Cam.
Google Nest Secure alarm system
Status: Hardware stopped selling in 2020; remaining systems lost cloud functionality on April 8, 2024, so the security system effectively stopped working as a monitored smart platform.
Early Nest Learning Thermostat generations
Status: In April 2025, Google announced the end of support for first‑ and second‑generation Nest Learning Thermostats; they still work as manual thermostats but lose app and “smart” features.
Hive smart home security products (UK)
Status: Hive exited home security; various sensors and security devices were scheduled to become obsolete by August 2025, with only limited refunds or migration paths.
Logitech Harmony remotes (for AV/smart home control)
Status: Logitech discontinued Harmony in 2021; support for some earlier models is being phased out, reducing functionality that depends on Harmony’s cloud services.
Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight
Status: The company shut down its backend service in late 2019; devices lost cloud-based smoke/water alert features and now function only as basic nightlights.
Insteon smart home system
Status: In 2022, Insteon abruptly shut down its servers, leaving hubs and apps nonfunctional; a later revival restored some capabilities but many users permanently lost full smart-home functionality.
Revolv smart home hub (Google)
Status: After acquiring Revolv, Google shut down its servers; all hubs became unusable despite the hardware still working, killing entire connected setups that relied on the hub.
Apple HomePod (original, large model)
Status: The first‑generation HomePod smart speaker was discontinued; Apple now focuses on the smaller HomePod mini, with no new full‑size model as of recent guides.
More information is available here.
Above image: Pixabay.com
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