Echelon fitness firmware lockout: Difference between revisions

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QZ (qdomyos-zwift) was created in September 2020 by Italian software engineer [[wikipedia:Roberto_Viola|Roberto Viola]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> The application functions as a Bluetooth bridge that intercepts proprietary communications from closed fitness devices & translates them into standard protocols compatible with other mainstream fitness platforms.

For almost five years, QZ maintained compatibility with Echelon devices. Viola notes that the app ''"helped Echelon sell tens of thousands of bikes"'' by making them compatible with multiple training platforms. Viola also personally recommended the Echelon as the ''"best indoor bike on the market."''<ref name="viola-blog">{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>

For almost five years, QZ maintained compatibility with Echelon devices. Viola notes that the app ''"helped Echelon sell tens of thousands of bikes"'' by making them compatible with multiple training platforms. Viola also personally recommended the Echelon as the ''"best indoor bike on the market."''<ref name="viola-blog">{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> Prior to the incident, Echelon's official marketing materials explicitly promoted third-party compatibility. Their FAQ stated devices were designed to give users '''''"the flexibility to use your favorite devices"''''' & specifically mentions "third party apps you can use as well."<ref name="echelon-faq" />

===Echelon's business model===

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The update removes all offline workout capabilities, requiring constant internet connectivity for any device operation. Users report being unable to perform basic manual workouts without server validation.<ref name="viola-blog" />

==Echelon's response==

~~===Advertised compatibility===~~

Echelon's official marketing materials explicitly promoted third-party compatibility. Their FAQ states devices were designed to give users '''''"the flexibility to use your favorite devices"''''' & specifically mentions "third party apps you can use as well."<ref name="echelon-faq" />

~~===FitOS platform contradiction===~~

Echelon's FitOS platform, introduced for screened equipment, actually '''expanded''' third-party app access to include Netflix, Disney+, & other entertainment apps.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://echelonfit.com/blogs/blog/introducing-fitos |title=Introducing FitOS |publisher=Echelon Fit |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> This contradicts the simultaneous restriction of core fitness functionality through firmware updates.

~~===Official communications===~~

Echelon has not issued public statements regarding the July 2025 firmware update or its impact on third-party compatibility.<ref name="viola-blog" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2025/07/30/exercise-bike-company-yanks-features-away-from-purchased-bikes-via-firmware-update/ |title=Exercise Bike Company Yanks Features Away From Purchased Bikes Via Firmware Update |publisher=Techdirt |date=30 July 2025 |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref>

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 QZ (qdomyos-zwift) was created in September 2020 by Italian software engineer [[wikipedia:Roberto_Viola|Roberto Viola]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> The application functions as a Bluetooth bridge that intercepts proprietary communications from closed fitness devices & translates them into standard protocols compatible with other mainstream fitness platforms.
-For almost five years, QZ maintained compatibility with Echelon devices. Viola notes that the app ''"helped Echelon sell tens of thousands of bikes"'' by making them compatible with multiple training platforms. Viola also personally recommended the Echelon as the ''"best indoor bike on the market."''<ref name="viola-blog">{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref>
+For almost five years, QZ maintained compatibility with Echelon devices. Viola notes that the app ''"helped Echelon sell tens of thousands of bikes"'' by making them compatible with multiple training platforms. Viola also personally recommended the Echelon as the ''"best indoor bike on the market."''<ref name="viola-blog">{{cite web |url=https://robertoviola.cloud/2025/07/22/how-i-built-qz-and-how-echelon-is-now-breaking-it/ |title=How I Built QZ—and How Echelon Is Now Breaking It |author=Roberto Viola |date=22 July 2025 |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> Prior to the incident, Echelon's official marketing materials explicitly promoted third-party compatibility. Their FAQ stated devices were designed to give users '''''"the flexibility to use your favorite devices"''''' & specifically mentions "third party apps you can use as well."<ref name="echelon-faq" />
 ===Echelon's business model===
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 The update removes all offline workout capabilities, requiring constant internet connectivity for any device operation. Users report being unable to perform basic manual workouts without server validation.<ref name="viola-blog" />
 ==Echelon's response==
-===Advertised compatibility===
-Echelon's official marketing materials explicitly promoted third-party compatibility. Their FAQ states devices were designed to give users '''''"the flexibility to use your favorite devices"''''' & specifically mentions "third party apps you can use as well."<ref name="echelon-faq" />
-===FitOS platform contradiction===
-Echelon's FitOS platform, introduced for screened equipment, actually '''expanded''' third-party app access to include Netflix, Disney+, & other entertainment apps.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://echelonfit.com/blogs/blog/introducing-fitos |title=Introducing FitOS |publisher=Echelon Fit |access-date=23 July 2025}}</ref> This contradicts the simultaneous restriction of core fitness functionality through firmware updates.
-===Official communications===
 Echelon has not issued public statements regarding the July 2025 firmware update or its impact on third-party compatibility.<ref name="viola-blog" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.techdirt.com/2025/07/30/exercise-bike-company-yanks-features-away-from-purchased-bikes-via-firmware-update/ |title=Exercise Bike Company Yanks Features Away From Purchased Bikes Via Firmware Update |publisher=Techdirt |date=30 July 2025 |access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref>