“Be Ready for Today” They’re so supportive and enthusiastic, and because of this they’re killing off most of (maybe all?) of their WeMo line:
But hey, at least we know that they’re very appreciative of us, and that they wanted to provide us with simple to use accessories, and that they’re proud. Their empty corporate words make up for the pieces of ewaste we now have.
I believe WeMo with a lot of hacking can be controlled locally via a direct IP connection if set up through Home Assistant. It’s a pain, and it still requires their app, so maybe try to set it up now before they officially end support. Even without this workaround, it’s pure enshittification and Belkin is back on the “Don’t ever buy” list.
HomeAssistant to the rescue?
It really should be a law that if a company does this, they should open source the code for both devices and servers and provide a way for people to reflash their devices.
Like, they’re retiring a light switch that’s 3 years old, I don’t think anyone buys a light switch thinking they’ll get a new one just 3 years later.
Anyone who buys a WiFi enabled crock pot deserves what’s coming to them
Dinner?
Not anymore, it’s been deprecated
If a device relies on any kind of external service to initially set up or function thereafter, do not buy. Regardless of brand.
Or accept that it has a finite lifespan that you cannot control. It’s not a matter of if the rug will get pulled, but when.
There is a grey area for things that can be reflashed or rebrained, but I prefer to not rely on this. Local access methods like ZigBee, Z-Wave and 433Mhz are immune to this kind of enshittification by design. Even WiFi devices can fit in here, with appropriate restrictions in place.
An acceptable middle-ground would be for EOL devices to be offered (with a big disclaimer) a final update that removes the reliance on the service but retains the core function. That’s a pipe dream though.
There is a grey area for things that can be reflashed or rebrained
No, this should be the goal!
Yeah, if you can reflash it you are completely in control. This is the optimal state.
Yeah, unfortunately most people don’t understand what that is, and buy devices thinking they’ll be supported long term. Us here know better (I bought Wemo early on and stopped years and years ago now because I knew this was coming, but I know I’m not the majority).
If a device relies on any kind of external service to initially set up or function thereafter, do not buy. Regardless of brand.
This is what I strive for. When I was looking for a wall charger for my EV I was shocked at how there was only one option that wasn’t “cloud” based. And those aren’t cheap.
aFtEr CaReFuL cOnSiDeRaTiOn, We hAvE MaDe tHe DiFfIcUlT dEcIsIoN
Difficult decision my ass
A lot of our light switches and smart plugs are pre HomeKit WeMos and this is super frustrating. They weren’t a great product but we had them and they worked well enough, but Belkin’s on my fuck off list now.
Please post your fuck off list
Broadcom, Target, Amazon, Walmart, Tesla, Subnaughtica 2, Gearbox, Microsoft, T Mobile, McDonald’s, Pepsi Co, Coke, Disturbed, Falling in Reverse, 3 doors down, Trapt, PirateSoftware, Salvation Army, chick fil a, hobby lobby, and more. Those were some of the cuff for me. Google is there, but I can’t get out of everything there, and the Pixel is the best phone option. There are more but we could be here all night.
