CAVEAT EMPTOR: Logitech Harmony Link no longer being supported (1 Viewer)

[bigshot]

I just got a message through my Logitech app that in March, Logitech will no longer support the Harmony Link and it will become non-functional. Gee thanks Logitech for turning my remote control into a shiny black doorstop.

Of course, they encourage me to buy the new and improved Logitech hub, which does basically the same thing. Swell. How long until THAT isn't supported and I have to buy something else?

I bought a remote. I didn't expect to be entering into a lease agreement.

 

[DaveF]

How does it just die next year? The Link is a dumb device, with no internet reliance or “kill switch”, right? The smartphone app will continue to work until an OS update inevitably kills it.

Granted, Logitech taking its configuration tool offline will prevent any new changes or updates to your configurations.

So it’s dead ended. But I don’t understand how it will just go offline next year.

Did they mean they’re stopping support next March, and your use of it then come to an end some time after that?

 

[bigshot]

It does rely on an internet connection to work. There was a time a couple of years back where I couldn't control my system with it for almost a month because their servers were messed up. Logitech is terrible about keeping up with iOS updates too. In April, the Link be a boat anchor.

It's infuriating to buy a remote control for almost $100 and have it just stop working after a few years. They offered $25 off the price of the hub as a consolation prize. How long will that work before they pull the same trick again? I wonder if my configuration from my Link will carry over to the Hub?

 

[George_W_K]

Well that's discouraging. I just bought an Elite this year, never considered this as being a possible outcome.

 

[DaveF]

Ok. The reviews I read didn’t mention needing an internet connection or Logitech server for its functionality.

 

[DaveF]

FWIW, I’ve used the same Harmony One for about a decade. But, no internet required except for setup/configuration. And I think that’s still active.

Any smartphone-app based product is at the mercy of ongoing updates against the OS-makers schedule. Just the price and risk we pay for smart devices.

 

[bigshot]

Ok. The reviews I read didn’t mention needing an internet connection or Logitech server for its functionality.

I didn't know either and I did a lot of research before I bought it.

The lousy thing about all this is that the only difference between the hub and the link is that it can control lights too. It's almost the exact same product. I don't know why they couldn't maintain legacy servers. I kind of expect a product like this to last more than three or four years.

 

[DaveF]

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/201...and-support-for-harmony-link-devices-in-2018/

 

[bigshot]

https://boingboing.net/2017/11/08/logitech-plans-to-brick-its-in.html

Class action suit being talked about

 

[atfree]

FWIW, I’ve used the same Harmony One for about a decade. But, no internet required except for setup/configuration. And I think that’s still active.

Any smartphone-app based product is at the mercy of ongoing updates against the OS-makers schedule. Just the price and risk we pay for smart devices.

Love my One. The online set-up/config site is still there. I hook up my One to it occasionally to update firmware etc.

 

[bigshot]

One other major irritation... Now every time I go to use the link it makes me reconnect the phone to it and then pops up a screen to tell me it's going to stop working in a few months. I have two screens of BS to click through every time I use it. I'm beginning to despise Logitech.

 

[DaveF]

“Update: We Will Replace Your Logitech Harmony Links”

http://blog.logitech.com/2017/11/09/update-will-replace-logitech-harmony-links/

 

[bigshot]

That is good that they're doing the right thing. Hopefully they'll get rid of that annoying popup notification whenever you go to use it.

 

[George_W_K]

I'm happy to see this.