Logitech Will Be Intentionally Bricking All Harmony Link Units on March 16th, 2018

[tripplej]

from gizmodo,

"Logitech will be deliberately bricking every unit of the Harmony Link, a universal hub which allows users to control their home theater systems and a variety of other devices from their smartphones, on March 16th, 2018. According to Bleeping Computer, on that date Logitech will issue a firmware update that permanently disables the devices. As Popular Science additionally noted, the Harmony Link relies upon a cloud-based service to function that will be taken offline, ensuring that users will be locked out no matter what."

"Rory Dooley, head of Logitech Harmony, told Gizmodo in a statement that the decision to turn off the devices “does not impact Logitech’s commitment to Logitech Harmony customers,” adding that those within a one-year warranty period could exchange their devices for free for an upgraded Harmony Hub. Other owners can get a “one-time discount offer” (35 percent, per Bleeping Computer) on the $100 replacement."

 

[Tony V.]

Given both my Harmony remotes are several years old this really does not surprise me. That was actually one reason I went with another Onkyo for my new receiver as it would still function even if the website goes down to do the updates.