Futurehome Smarthub mandatory subscription fee: Difference between revisions
m Update feedback form URL, pointing directly to the English version of the form (there's also a language switcher on the bottom left of the form) |
Improve references |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
Futurehome ransomed customer devices after bankruptcy, forcing them to pay a subscription fee or face disabled core functionality. | Futurehome ransomed customer devices after bankruptcy, forcing them to pay a subscription fee or face disabled core functionality. | ||
In 2025, Futurehome's new owners announced that '''existing customers would now have to pay an annual subscription to continue using their previously purchased smart-home hubs'''. After a bankruptcy and relaunch, Futurehome imposed an annual fee of 1,188 NOK (around $117 USD) for access to its app and cloud services, locking users out unless they subscribed.<ref name=": | In 2025, Futurehome's new owners announced that '''existing customers would now have to pay an annual subscription to continue using their previously purchased smart-home hubs'''. After a bankruptcy and relaunch, Futurehome imposed an annual fee of 1,188 NOK (around $117 USD) for access to its app and cloud services, locking users out unless they subscribed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-18 |title=FAQ Subscription - Futurehome |url=https://support.futurehome.no/hc/en-no/articles/28158944965277-FAQ-Subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.ph/UBjdJ |archive-date=2025-07-13 |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Krever abonnement av kundene - Elektro24-7 |url=https://www.elektro247.no/krever-abonnement-av-kundene.6722352-567787.html |access-date=2025-07-14 |language=no}}</ref> | ||
'''Customers who declined to pay lost access to the mobile app (even for local use)''', along with all automations and the hub's local API integrations, leaving only basic on-device (physical) control. | '''Customers who declined to pay lost access to the mobile app (even for local use)''', along with all automations and the hub's local API integrations, leaving only basic on-device (physical) control. | ||
==Company info & Background== | ==Company info & Background== | ||
'''Futurehome''' AS is a Norwegian smart-home technology company founded in 2013, known for the ''Futurehome Smarthub'', a central gateway device that connects and controls IoT devices. The Smarthub and Futurehome’s own product line ''(thermostats, smart plugs, relays, sensors, etc<ref>https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/products</ref>)'' allow users to automate lighting, heating, EV charging, and other home functions via a mobile app and cloud platform. | '''Futurehome''' AS is a Norwegian smart-home technology company founded in 2013, known for the ''Futurehome Smarthub'', a central gateway device that connects and controls IoT devices. The Smarthub and Futurehome’s own product line ''(thermostats, smart plugs, relays, sensors, etc<ref>{{Cite web |title=Products - Futurehome |url=https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/products |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref>)'' allow users to automate lighting, heating, EV charging, and other home functions via a mobile app and cloud platform. | ||
The hub lets users pair Zigbee-, Z-Wave-, and Futurehome-branded devices and control them locally or remotely through a free mobile app and cloud service; it also exposes local APIs for third-party integrations such as Home Assistant. | The hub lets users pair Zigbee-, Z-Wave-, and Futurehome-branded devices and control them locally or remotely through a free mobile app and cloud service; it also exposes local APIs for third-party integrations such as Home Assistant. | ||
The '''Futurehome Smarthub'''<ref>https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/</ref> was '''originally sold as a one-time purchase.''' '''Prior to 2025, Futurehome operated on a one-time hardware purchase model''', with app and cloud services included at no extra cost. | The '''Futurehome Smarthub'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome |url=https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/ |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref> was '''originally sold as a one-time purchase.''' '''Prior to 2025, Futurehome operated on a one-time hardware purchase model''', with app and cloud services included at no extra cost. | ||
Futurehome AS was declared bankrupt on May 20, 2025. The platform and its services were acquired in a 50/50 split by Sikom Connect AS and the former Futurehome owners. The business was relaunched under a new entity: '''FHSD Connect AS.'''<ref name=":0" | Futurehome AS was declared bankrupt on May 20, 2025. The platform and its services were acquired in a 50/50 split by Sikom Connect AS and the former Futurehome owners. The business was relaunched under a new entity: '''FHSD Connect AS.'''<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==June 2025 Subscription Rollout== | ==June 2025 Subscription Rollout== | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
==Futurehome's reply== | ==Futurehome's reply== | ||
FHSD CEO Øyvind Fries justified the subscription model as necessary to ''“secure stable operation, fund product development, and provide high-quality support,”'' according to statements given to [[Tek.no]] and reiterated in the FAQ.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=": | FHSD CEO Øyvind Fries justified the subscription model as necessary to ''“secure stable operation, fund product development, and provide high-quality support,”'' according to statements given to [[Tek.no]] and reiterated in the FAQ.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":13" /><ref name=":1" /> Fries explained that the subscription was introduced to ensure the '''long-term viability''' of the platform after bankruptcy: without new revenue, they could not guarantee stable operation of the cloud servers or continued updates to the product.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Rasende kunder opplever smarthjem-utpressing |trans-title=Furious customers experience smart home blackmail |url=https://www.tek.no/nyheter/nyhet/i/alMe04/rasende-kunder-opplever-smarthjem-utpressing |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Tek.no |language=no}}</ref> | ||
He stated that the annual fee would help fund ongoing development of new features and maintain a high level of support for customers.<ref name=": | He stated that the annual fee would help fund ongoing development of new features and maintain a high level of support for customers.<ref name=":0" /> The company also emailed users saying the change would ultimately provide ''"better functionality, more security, and higher value in the solution you already have invested in"'' positioning the subscription as an improvement for the user base. | ||
==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
The reaction from Futurehome’s user base was negative. Norwegian customers described the move as a betrayal, given that the original sale included full functionality with no indication that a subscription would be introduced later. | The reaction from Futurehome’s user base was negative. Norwegian customers described the move as a betrayal, given that the original sale included full functionality with no indication that a subscription would be introduced later. | ||
On Reddit’s r/norge, there is an active discussion thread filled with outrage, legal concerns, and comparisons to ransomware tactics.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/norge/comments/1lek0p7/futurehome_tvinger_eksisterende_kunder_over_til/</ref><ref | On Reddit’s r/norge, there is an active discussion thread filled with outrage, legal concerns, and comparisons to ransomware tactics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome tvinger eksisterende kunder over til et abonnement, hva nå? : r/norge |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/norge/comments/1lek0p7/futurehome_tvinger_eksisterende_kunder_over_til/ |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> | ||
One user, muffinmeistro, wrote:<blockquote>''I can't understand how what they're trying to do here is legal. I'd like to hear what u/thomasiversen thinks.'' | One user, muffinmeistro, wrote:<blockquote>''I can't understand how what they're trying to do here is legal. I'd like to hear what u/thomasiversen thinks.'' | ||
''They're removing functionality locally in a hub (computer) that I've paid for with an update.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-18 |title=Futurehome is forcing existing customers to switch to a subscription, what now? : r/norge |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/norge/comments/1lek0p7/comment/myhs0sm/?tl=en | ''They're removing functionality locally in a hub (computer) that I've paid for with an update.''<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-18 |title=Futurehome is forcing existing customers to switch to a subscription, what now? : r/norge |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/norge/comments/1lek0p7/comment/myhs0sm/?tl=en |url-status= |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> | ||
''(Translated from Norwegian)''</blockquote>Another user posted expressing concern for the pushing a subscription, as well as a poor user experince:<blockquote>''I want to spend my money somewhere else than paying over 1000 kroner a year for half-hearted functionality. What options do I have? I currently have lights and thermostats from Futurehome. Can these devices be used with Home Assistant?<ref>{{Cite web |last=MrGeniusL |date=2025-06-18 |title=Futurehome tvinger eksisterende kunder over til et abonnement, hva nå? |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/norge/comments/1lek0p7/futurehome_tvinger_eksisterende_kunder_over_til/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=r/norge}}</ref>'' | ''(Translated from Norwegian)''</blockquote>Another user posted expressing concern for the pushing a subscription, as well as a poor user experince:<blockquote>''I want to spend my money somewhere else than paying over 1000 kroner a year for half-hearted functionality. What options do I have? I currently have lights and thermostats from Futurehome. Can these devices be used with Home Assistant?<ref>{{Cite web |last=MrGeniusL |date=2025-06-18 |title=Futurehome tvinger eksisterende kunder over til et abonnement, hva nå? |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/norge/comments/1lek0p7/futurehome_tvinger_eksisterende_kunder_over_til/ |access-date=2025-07-14 |website=r/norge}}</ref>'' | ||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
===Similarity to Wink=== | ===Similarity to Wink=== | ||
In 2020, Wink suddenly introduced a $4.99 monthly fee for continued use of its previously free smart-home service, giving customers only a one-week ultimatum & warning that devices would stop working if they didn't pay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wink smart hub users get one week’s notice to pay up or lose access - Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/05/wink-smart-hub-users-get-one-weeks-notice-to-pay-up-or-lose-access/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Wink smart hub users get one week’s notice to pay up or lose access - Ars Technica}}</ref> That move led to a class-action lawsuit alleging deceptive business practices, breach of warranty, and even ''"trespass to chattels"'' on the grounds that Wink's remote deactivation scheme unlawfully interfered with consumers' owned property.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenwald Davidson Radbil PLLC {{!}} Greenwald Davidson Radbil PLLC files amended class action complaint against Wink Labs, Inc. over new monthly charge |url= | In 2020, Wink suddenly introduced a $4.99 monthly fee for continued use of its previously free smart-home service, giving customers only a one-week ultimatum & warning that devices would stop working if they didn't pay.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wink smart hub users get one week’s notice to pay up or lose access - Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/05/wink-smart-hub-users-get-one-weeks-notice-to-pay-up-or-lose-access/ |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Wink smart hub users get one week’s notice to pay up or lose access - Ars Technica}}</ref> That move led to a class-action lawsuit alleging deceptive business practices, breach of warranty, and even ''"trespass to chattels"'' on the grounds that Wink's remote deactivation scheme unlawfully interfered with consumers' owned property.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Greenwald Davidson Radbil PLLC {{!}} Greenwald Davidson Radbil PLLC files amended class action complaint against Wink Labs, Inc. over new monthly charge |url=https://www.gdrlawfirm.com/Wink-class-action |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313203733/https://www.gdrlawfirm.com/Wink-class-action |archive-date=2023-03-13 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Greenwald Davidson Radbil PLLC {{!}} Greenwald Davidson Radbil PLLC files amended class action complaint against Wink Labs, Inc. over new monthly charge}}</ref> | ||
Futurehome's forced subscription draws parallels to the Wink case while demonstrating an industry pattern of undermining the '''right to own''' what one has bought. Critics argue that such practices erode consumers' sense of ownership, turning purchased devices into services that can be revoked or paywalled at any time. . | Futurehome's forced subscription draws parallels to the Wink case while demonstrating an industry pattern of undermining the '''right to own''' what one has bought. Critics argue that such practices erode consumers' sense of ownership, turning purchased devices into services that can be revoked or paywalled at any time. . | ||
| Line 64: | Line 64: | ||
Beyond the immediate loss of app functionality, the subscription requirement '''disables all third-party integrations'''. Futurehome previously allowed integration with: | Beyond the immediate loss of app functionality, the subscription requirement '''disables all third-party integrations'''. Futurehome previously allowed integration with: | ||
*[[Home Assistant]] via a custom MQTT bridge<ref>https://github.com/runelangseid/hassio-futurehome2mqtt</ref> | *[[Home Assistant]] via a custom MQTT bridge<ref>{{Cite web |title=runelangseid/hassio-futurehome2mqtt |url=https://github.com/runelangseid/hassio-futurehome2mqtt |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref> | ||
*[[Homebridge]] via NPM plugin for Apple HomeKit<ref>https://www.npmjs.com/package/homebridge-futurehome</ref> let Futurehome devices be controlled via Siri and the Apple Home app | *[[Homebridge]] via NPM plugin for Apple HomeKit<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=homebridge-futurehome - npm |url=https://www.npmjs.com/package/homebridge-futurehome |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref> let Futurehome devices be controlled via Siri and the Apple Home app | ||
These relied on the hub’s local API and MQTT server. Once disabled, no data is sent or received, breaking compatibility with these platforms. Once the subscription enforcement kicked in, the hub stopped publishing or accepting local MQTT messages and the API shut down, breaking compatibility. | These relied on the hub’s local API and MQTT server. Once disabled, no data is sent or received, breaking compatibility with these platforms. Once the subscription enforcement kicked in, the hub stopped publishing or accepting local MQTT messages and the API shut down, breaking compatibility. | ||
While some users may migrate to other smart home ecosystems using open protocols like Zigbee2MQTT<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zigbee2MQTT Supported Devices – Futurehome |url=https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/supported-devices/#v=Futurehome}}</ref>, some Futurehome-branded devices (e.g., the HAN-Sensor and Futurehome Charge EV charger) may lose core features or become inaccessible due to lack of open community drivers. | While some users may migrate to other smart home ecosystems using open protocols like Zigbee2MQTT<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zigbee2MQTT Supported Devices – Futurehome |url=https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/supported-devices/#v=Futurehome |access-date=2025-07-14}}</ref>, some Futurehome-branded devices (e.g., the HAN-Sensor and Futurehome Charge EV charger) may lose core features or become inaccessible due to lack of open community drivers. | ||
==Inadequate subscription notice== | ==Inadequate subscription notice== | ||
| Line 79: | Line 79: | ||
<gallery mode="slideshow"> | <gallery mode="slideshow"> | ||
File:Subscription.jpg|The only mention of a subscription on [https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/ site homepage] is in fine print on the second scroll page.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome |url=https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/ |url-status= | File:Subscription.jpg|The only mention of a subscription on [https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/ site homepage] is in fine print on the second scroll page.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome |url=https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/ |url-status= |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> | ||
File:Homepage futurehome.jpg|Landing view of homepage with no subscription mention. | File:Homepage futurehome.jpg|Landing view of homepage with no subscription mention. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
| Line 86: | Line 86: | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Applefree.jpg|Apple App Store listing for Futurehome, no mention of required subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome on the | File:Applefree.jpg|Apple App Store listing for Futurehome, no mention of required subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome on the App Store |url=https://apps.apple.com/tr/app/futurehome/id1470952171 |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> | ||
File:Androidfree.jpg|Google Play listing for Futurehome app, no mention of subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=no.futurehome.futurehome_app&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1 |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> | File:Androidfree.jpg|Google Play listing for Futurehome app, no mention of subscription.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Futurehome - Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=no.futurehome.futurehome_app&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1 |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> | ||
File:Hansensor.jpg|HAN Sensor product page: no mention of subscription requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HAN-Sensor - Futurehome |url=https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/shop/han-sensor |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> | File:Hansensor.jpg|HAN Sensor product page: no mention of subscription requirement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=HAN-Sensor - Futurehome |url=https://www.futurehome.io/en_no/shop/han-sensor |access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> | ||