The Graveyard of Good Intentions: Remembering 10 Dead Smart Home Gadgets

The promise of the smart home is alluring: convenience, efficiency, and a Jetsons-esque future at our fingertips. But the reality is sometimes less rosy. The rapid pace of technological advancement, coupled with shifting business priorities, can leave consumers with dead smart home gadgets—devices rendered useless by discontinued support, shuttered services, or simply the relentless march of progress. Join us as we explore ten infamous examples of once-promising smart home devices that now reside in the tech graveyard, cautionary tales of innovation's fleeting nature. This isn't just about reminiscing; it's about learning how to make smarter choices in our increasingly connected world.

The Fallen: A Requiem for Discontinued Dreams

The following are examples of smart home devices that, for one reason or another, have been abandoned by their manufacturers, leaving users with expensive paperweights.

1. Amazon Echo Look: The Fashionista That Wasn't

Launched: 2017; Original list price: $200; Date deactivated: July 24, 2020

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Envisioned as an Alexa-powered personal stylist, the Amazon Echo Look scanned daily outfits and offered fashion advice. This early "look what Alexa can do!" device, however, never truly resonated with consumers. One key factor in its demise was the absence of a privacy shutter for its camera, making many uncomfortable with placing it in their bedrooms. Amazon discontinued the three-year-old Look in July 2020, offering a free Echo Show 5 as compensation, a gesture that hardly offset the initial $200 investment.

2. Amazon Echo Connect: The Landline's Last Stand

Launched: 2017; Original list price: $35; Date deactivated: February 29, 2024

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The Echo Connect aimed to bridge the gap between traditional landlines and the burgeoning smart home. It enabled users to make phone calls via their landline using Alexa voice commands, requiring only a connection to the Connect box. As landlines faded into obsolescence, however, the Echo Connect's utility diminished. Amazon abruptly terminated support in February 2024, providing a $10 Amazon gift card as recompense.

3. Revolv Smart Home Hub: One Hub to Rule Them All (Briefly)

Launched: 2013; Original list price: $299; Date deactivated: May 15, 2016

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The Revolv smart home hub promised to unify control of disparate smart devices through a single app, boasting compatibility with multiple wireless protocols. This compelling concept led Nest (then owned by Google) to acquire Revolv's parent company in 2014, promptly ceasing the hub's sales. Despite initial assurances of continued support, Nest bricked existing Revolv hubs in May 2016, leaving customers with $300 paperweights and fueling consumer anxieties about smart home longevity.

4. Iris by Lowe's Home Automation Platform: A Rocky Road to Nowhere

Launched: 2012; Original list price: $50 hub, bundles from $99; Date deactivated: March 31, 2019

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Lowe's ventured into the smart home arena with Iris, a comprehensive platform featuring a hub and a wide array of sensors and smart components. Plagued by technical issues, a cumbersome setup process, and slow feature implementation, the Iris platform struggled to gain traction. Despite efforts to address customer complaints, Lowe's ultimately shut down the Iris platform in March 2019. While users faced the daunting task of rebuilding their smart homes, Lowe's offered refunds for incompatible devices, and Samsung SmartThings provided migration assistance.

5. Hive Home Security Products: Retreating From the Front Lines

Launched: 2017; Original list price: Various; Date deactivated: September 1, 2023 (Leak sensor), August 1, 2025 (security products)

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UK-based Hive initially aimed to expand its smart home ecosystem beyond thermostats, launching security cameras and the HomeShield alarm system. However, Hive scaled back its smart home ambitions, withdrawing from North America and announcing the discontinuation of its security product line by August 2025, with the Leak Sensor losing support in 2023. Hive cited a shift in focus due to the climate crisis as the reason for its decision, leaving users with limited recourse for their investments.

6. Samsung SmartThings: Hubs Gone Too Soon

Launched: 2014 (1st gen Hub), 2017 (ADT System), 2018 (Link); Original list price: $99+, $550+, $40; Date deactivated: June 20, 2021

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Even established smart home giants aren't immune to product sunsets. Samsung SmartThings, a major player in the industry, discontinued support for its first-generation Hub in 2021, a move deemed understandable given the hub's age. More controversial was the decision to abandon the newer Samsung Link (a dongle enabling Nvidia Shield functionality as a SmartThings hub) and the ADT SmartThings Home Security system, both relatively recent additions to the SmartThings ecosystem. Samsung and ADT offered affected users a combination of refunds and discounts on replacement hardware.

7. Philips Hue Bridge (First Generation): Fading into the Night

Launched: 2012; Original list price: $199 (starter kit); Date deactivated: April 2020

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Philips Hue, a dominant force in smart lighting, also experienced its share of obsolescence. While the original Hue Bridge continued to function for years after being superseded by an upgraded model, Philips Hue eventually ceased online support in April 2020. Although local control via the Hue app remained functional, users lost remote access and voice command capabilities.

8. Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight: Silenced by Financial Woes

Launched: 2014; Original list price: $99; Date deactivated: Late 2019

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The Leeo Smart Alert Nightlight offered a unique service: monitoring for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and alerting users via mobile notifications, all without a subscription fee. This lack of recurring revenue, however, proved unsustainable. Facing financial difficulties, Leeo shut down its network in late 2019, rendering the Smart Alert's smart features defunct.

9. Dropcam HD and Dropcam Pro: Nest's Acquisitions of the Doomed

Launched: 2012 (HD), 2013 (Pro); Original list price: $149, $199; Date deactivated: April 8, 2024

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The Dropcam HD and Pro, pioneering smart security cameras, gained popularity for their user-friendly design and impressive video quality. Acquired by Nest in 2014, the Dropcam line continued to operate for a decade before Nest pulled the plug in April 2024. Users received a complimentary Nest Cam as compensation, a somewhat bittersweet consolation for the loss of their original devices.

10. Nest Secure: An Expensive Exit

Launched: 2017; Original list price: $499; Date deactivated: April 8, 2024

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Nest Secure, a DIY home security system, combined sleek design with tight integration with other Nest products. Its high price point and limited number of contact sensors, however, hindered its market appeal. Nest discontinued the Secure system in 2020, and in April 2024, it ceased functionality altogether. Google offered Nest Secure owners either a new ADT security system or a $200 Google Store credit.

Lessons Learned: Navigating the Smart Home Minefield

The demise of these dead smart home gadgets highlights crucial considerations for consumers venturing into home automation:

• Longevity and Support: Research the manufacturer's track record for long-term support and software updates. A device's value extends beyond its initial features; sustained support is paramount.
• Ecosystem Compatibility: Choose devices that seamlessly integrate with your preferred smart home platform to avoid future compatibility issues.
• Offline Functionality: Consider the device's functionality in the absence of an internet connection. A device that becomes entirely useless offline may not be a wise investment.
• The Cloud Dependency: Cloud-dependent services can disappear, bricking your device. Choose devices that offer local control whenever possible.
• Subscription Costs: Be wary of devices that lock essential features behind recurring subscription fees. The long-term cost can outweigh the initial savings.
• Planned Obsolescence: Be aware that some companies intentionally phase out older products to drive new sales.
• Privacy: Make sure your smart devices have safeguards for privacy, such as camera shutters and a clear privacy policy.

Beyond Ownership: The Subscription Model and the Future of IoT

The trend of dead smart home gadgets also raises questions about ownership in the age of IoT. As devices become increasingly reliant on cloud services and software updates, the line between owning a product and subscribing to a service blurs. Some analysts suggest a future where consumers lease smart appliances rather than purchasing them outright, shifting the burden of maintenance and obsolescence to the manufacturer. While this model offers potential benefits, it also raises concerns about long-term costs and data privacy.

The smart home revolution continues, but it's important to proceed with caution, awareness, and a healthy dose of skepticism. By carefully considering these factors, you can minimize the risk of investing in a dead smart home gadget and build a truly intelligent and sustainable connected home.