Bricking Nest Thermostats to force consumer upgrades and cash grab?

[vexden]

So back when I started the smart home choice I chose google.  Apparently I chose poorly.

I now look like the fool as I have 4 first/second Gen Nest Thermostats that are going to be end of life (forced by google) that work perfectly.  I have 3 HVAC units in my home (with a backup thermostat for just in case) where I use the nest app on a regular basis to control.  

I fully understand how a company wants to push consumers to the new platforms, make more money etc, but this is nothing more than a cash grab.  

I currently have ~30 google devices in my home, and now it is time for me to rethink everything, as I cannot support a company that will do this to their customers.  I work in IT, and understand the support structure for aging devices.  This is not something that would be that difficult to keep in place for the people that currently have "legacy" items.  

I am not going to spend another $500+ with google to replace perfectly working devices .  What I will do is replace everything google in my home and cease to purchase anything in the future related to google.  

If you want to do this properly, you offer to replace >FOR FREE< all legacy devices you are going to phase out.  Or at least keep the functionality of the legacy devices. 

I currently have 1 or more of the following in my home related to google:  Thermostats, speakers, cameras, TV's, media controllers, phones, routers, outlet controllers, lights.  And as soon as they turn off my thermostats, I will replace everything one by one and phase google out of my home and personal life.  

[CoolingWizard · Accepted solution]

@tomdfw1 ,

Does Apple have to keep upgrading the iPhone? Do you buy a new phone every few years?  Eventually the older phones will no longer be eligible for software upgrades and new features. The iPhone X cannot be upgraded to iOS 18.  

You are upset not because you have your thermostat. Quite the opposite.  You love the technology and cannot stand to be without it. Come on the journey with the latest advancements with Google Gemini AI and explore endless possibilities it will open up to. 

The Cooling Wizard

[tomdfw1]

Well said!  Google is a crook for doing this...I switched all my devices over to Wyze.  They work great, have all the functionality, a really good integrated mobile app for about 20 different device types.  And the thermostats are $75 each!

[Ninety5eclipz]

They are not bricking them. Just can’t be use with the app. Try using windows xp, window ME and see if you still receive updates. Try using an older model iPhone or Samsung and see how well it works with apps. Everything has an end life. Move on with life and upgrade 

[tomdfw1]

A thermostat is apples - oranges to Operating Systems!  What a ridiculous comment.  The functionality and "features" associated with a thermostat don't compare to an OS.

This is like GM or Ford telling you to buy a new car because they no longer support it after 4 years!

Or how about KitcheAid requiring you to buy a new refrigerator, washer/dryer and oven because they no longer support it.

Google should be ashamed!

[CoolingWizard]

@tomdfw1 ,

you call the Google Nest Learning Thermostat Gen-1 or Gen-2 a brick.  When try to code unlock technology and turn it into brick, it has no value. You thermostat still functions as a thermostat.  It is not a brick. 

The Cooling Wizard

[vexden]

If I want to go UP to a device to MANUALLY control it, I would stick to the non digital SMART device that was in place already.  

Removing a HUGE function of a SMART device (being able to remotely control by voice or handheld device to change said function) removes a HUGE capability.  You can do set schedules non smart thermostats for decades.  Being able to give a voice command and change the temperature, or change it on the fly by using a device is one of the main draws for me.  (and I am willing to be others as well).  

[CoolingWizard · Accepted solution]

@tomdfw1 ,

Does Apple have to keep upgrading the iPhone? Do you buy a new phone every few years?  Eventually the older phones will no longer be eligible for software upgrades and new features. The iPhone X cannot be upgraded to iOS 18.  

You are upset not because you have your thermostat. Quite the opposite.  You love the technology and cannot stand to be without it. Come on the journey with the latest advancements with Google Gemini AI and explore endless possibilities it will open up to. 

The Cooling Wizard

[vexden]

I am unsure why you keep referring to operating systems and phones.  Comparing those to a thermostat that literally does simple functionality is not really fair.  Tell me what amazing features are worth the upgrade.  "get with the times" is not an intelligent answer.

Take away the annoying auto scheduling, take away the LEAF that likes to mess up everything else. 

Leave the functionality that allows you to set the temp from "hey google" and from your smart device.  

It isn't that hard.  

[vexden]

And yes, I am upset because I PAID for a device that allowed me to control my HVAC remotely by using voice commands and or by an app whenever needed.  THAT IS WHAT I PAID FOR.  Not at any time did it state in small writing that the device would cease to work after 2-5 years of purchase due to "needing an upgrade".  

[tomdfw1 · Accepted solution]

Do you know how delusional you sound?  A thermostat does ONE thing...a phone is an operating system running multiple apps and capabilities that need hardware upgrades, just like a PC and Operating system.  Stop lying to yourself and others.  My washer/dryer/coffee maker/refrigerator/garage door/cameras/sprinklers/lights/plugs/watches/locks/headphones/scale ALL do one thing well and work with my home automation system. (Most are Wyze)  None of them tell me I need to buy new hardware to keep using them.

Google is a money grabbing crook and you drink their Kool Aid!

[CoolingWizard]

@tomdfw1 , 

I say nothing disparaging about any of you users that are whining about technology advancements. Yet here you are attacking me personally. You call me delusional and drinking the Kool Aide. Early in my engineering career I designed ASIC’s for advanced communications equipment. And,  when technology advancements came along they became obsolete. I am not employed by Google so there is no Kool Aide to drink. 
I understand the complexity of technology advancements.  I have vision and I can see that the technology of the 1st Gen and the 2nd Gen; which are tied to the Nest App, are not compatible with the technology approach of the Google Home app.  A company has to make a choice, move forward or stay stuck in the past. The first steps of change was the 2020 version then the Gen-3.  Finally the evolution was made when the Gen-4 came out.  With the Gen-4 the need for the Nest App architecture was no longer essential or needed.  The Google Home app has been moving forward and is part of the Google technology road map for the future which includes AI technology.  The Nest App architecture simply cannot reasonably be migrated; it has reached end of life.  

Unlike you, and others, I have never insulted or attacked another user on here. I state facts and use logic. I inform, educate and enlighten others with my more than 40 years of experience.  
@tomdfw1 what is your excuse sir? Why wad necessary to call me delusional and drinking Kool Aide?

The Cooling Wizard

[Gohan]

You keep sinping Google in every negative post... If this is the future you don't own anything, think about it. 

[tomdfw1]

Did you forget you started off by saying "You are one of those people who click on everything".  That is an attack.  And you don't have to work for Google to drink their Kool Aid.

Regarding you change of technology.  Gen 4 uses the matter platform...Gen 3 doesn't.  So it is only a matter of time that Gen 3 is mothballed with this lame excuse, and then a new standard will come out relegating Gen 4 useless and requiring an upgrade.

We all purchased these thermostats because of wifi/network access.  I'd still like you to tell me one of these Wifi devices that have forced you to upgrade or remove Wifi functionality:  Washer/Dryer/Coffee maker/Refrigerator/GarageOpener/Toaster oven/cameras/Sprinklers/Lights/Plugs/Watches/Locks/Headphones/Scale

I am not attacking you or insulting you.  I am stating FACTS.  You are delusional thinking it is acceptable for Nest to require a new $300 purchase to their new thermostats.

[Spjt]

Not receiving updates is entirely different than disabling the core functionality of the device. This is more like if Apple disabled Internet access and all your apps on the EOL date.

I don't even have a Gen2, but this came across my news feed and I had to go through a bunch of nonsense to figure out that I had a Gen3. Probably going to replace it with something else now anyway rather than find out it's been bricked for no reason when I don't have time to research and install a new thermostat.

Fool me once, shame on you. You know how the rest goes.

[DisgruntledNest]

Apple do not stop you from using the phone, you can still use an original iPhone if you wish. What Nest has done is the equivalent of Apple removing cellular services or Wifi from your phone, something that to my knowledge they have never done. Sure they may become obsolete but the Gen 2 thermostats that I was happily using up until a few days back were still very much fit for purpose. 

[gtb88]

The difference is the iPhone still works even though it can’t get the latest IOS. The nest thermostats have been maliciously disconnected from the network 

[pdewitt]

I just purchased 2 honeywell wifi thermostats to replace my Nest thermostats.  I no longer trust google products and as a home builder I will no longer recommend them to clients.  Eliminating functioning controllers to make more money is a serious violation of consumer trust and shows me everything I need to know about the future of google products.

[CoolingWizard]

@pdewitt 

Good for you. Enjoy the Honeywell thermostats.  How much did you pay for them?  Can they learn your system and detect and notify of a deficiency on performance like the Goggle Nest Learning Thermostats can? How about integrating with other home automation using a single app?  Can it display for you the wires connected and the function of each wire?  Can it perform an HVAC system check?  How about more than four schedule entities?  Can the Honeywell be linked in an app with support for multiple residencies?

The Cooling Wizard

[vexden]

There is one thing for sure that it >CAN< do.  It can be controlled by "Hey Google" set my temp to "Temp".  Which in a few days the GOOGLE one can't.

Who cares if it can do a system check, how many times do you utilize that?  The "Learning" that they do have never done me any good.  They come up with temps that make zero sense, and do not match any of my prior historical temp values.  I find it funny how you mention all of these "features" that google supports that are not something that the every day user even cares about.  You are grasping at straws to try and play the victim (stating you are being attacked), and validate a company that is removing the very features that you buy a product for and use every day with features that are rarely used if even at all.

[pdewitt]

LOL, none of that matters when you screw your previous users, even if I tried to specifiy it now people will not want it as they don't care about any of those items you mentioned over continured service and function of all features.  My AC guy is going to be so happy as he hates the nest thermostats.

[Jaybess]

Summed up perfectly,"none of that matters when you screw your previous users". 

[pdewitt]

Honeywell thermostats are installed and working great and you know what is cool.  I can change the setting on my phone which you cannot do on nest products past a certain age.  Same price as the discounted replacement price and I now I am rid of google/nest in my house.

[MLeoCon]

This is not like pc, tv support timing out: those items continue to operate as they did when purchased, only there may be a succession of products upon which the aging hardware may underperform, or fail to operate in concert.

The Nest obviously still interacts correctly with its applications: for a company to kill the Nest/app connection is premeditated obsolescence.

[CoolingWizard]

@MLeoCon 

The Nest App was created to work with the Nest Gen-1 and Gen-2 Thermostats.  However, the technology has been advancing and changed to include more intelligent features. The technology that is based in the Gen-1 and Gen-2 are obsolete.  Would every owner of the Gen-1 and Gen-2 agree to pay a $10.00 per month subscription fee? After all, you asking google to keep supporting an old app that has not compatible with the current product roadmap of evolution.  You are asking Google to spend financial and labor resources to maintain an obsolete technology. Research has shown that consumers would not be willing to pay a monthly subscription fee. Therefore the remaining option is discontinue the obsolete products. 
You mentioned at TV. The broadcast evolved to HD and 4K.  Do you still prefer lower definition broadcast? Or did you upgrade?  

The Cooling Wizard

[Tw33b3r]

...they're turning off the remote connectivity. Probably citing some security risk to protect their users. 

It would be better to allow the consumer to decide that their devices are insecure or not. This would release Google of responsibility and place the burden on the user to secure their network.

Google could even provide tips for doing so.

I read somewhere that the "Do No Evil" sign was taken down on their campus. Maybe metaphorically if not physically.

...t