Key Takeaways
- Futurehome now requires a subscription for core functionalities of its smart home devices, previously sold without ongoing fees.
- The annual subscription fee is 1,188 NOK (approximately $116.56), limiting access to essential features post-grace period.
- Users express frustration over losing control of purchased devices, while Futurehome states it cannot guarantee future access to local functions.
Subscription Model Introduced for Futurehome Devices
Smart home device manufacturer Futurehome has shifted its business model by implementing a subscription requirement for basic functionality of its products. Established in 2016, the company previously sold devices such as the Smarthub, smart thermostats, smart lighting, and safety alarms for a one-time fee, which included access to its companion app and cloud services.
Effective June 26, Futurehome announced that controlling devices, configuring automations, and accessing critical support would now necessitate an annual subscription fee of 1,188 NOK (about $116.56). Without this subscription, users will find their smart devices effectively rendered non-functional.
As recently as four weeks after the subscription announcement, many customers experienced a sudden loss of access to control and configuration features, leading to disappointment and frustration. A customer expressed on Reddit that they understood the need for fees related to ongoing server expenses but argued that local functionalities of devices should not be restricted by a paywall.
Futurehome reassured customers that, even without a subscription, they can still manage household setups, including editing users and performing factory resets on their Smarthubs. However, the company has cautioned that it cannot assure customers regarding future changes affecting local API access for devices. With claims of reaching around 38,000 households, the company’s switch to a subscription model marks a significant shift in its customer relationship strategy, eliciting mixed reactions from users.
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