Wemo discontinuation of service: Difference between revisions
temp article save |
revised draft |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Belkin Wemo smarthome devices require cloud connectivity to work. Belkin is closing that Cloud on January 31 2026, disabling remote access & automation functionality to most Wemo branded smarthome devices, while still having these items for sale on their Amazon WeMo store | Belkin Wemo smarthome devices require cloud connectivity to work. Belkin is closing that Cloud on January 31 2026<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-10 |title=Belkin Official Support - Wemo Support Ending – What You Need to Know |url=https://www.belkin.com/support-article/?articleNum=335419 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Belkin Official Support - Wemo Support Ending – What You Need to Know}}</ref>, disabling remote access & automation functionality to most Wemo branded smarthome devices, while still having these items for sale on their Amazon WeMo store <ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com: Wemo Smart Plug with Thread - Smart Outlet for Apple HomeKit - Smart Home Products, Smart Home Lighting, Smart Home Gadgets - Homekit Smart Plug - Tech Gifts - Works W/ Apple iPhone, Easy NFC Set Up : Tools & Home Improvement |url=https://www.amazon.com/Wemo-Smart-Plug-Thread-Products/dp/B09T4S3QKC |archive-url=https://archive.is/wip/ORa4X |archive-date=2025-07-13 |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Amazon.com: Wemo Smart Plug with Thread - Smart Outlet for Apple HomeKit - Smart Home Products, Smart Home Lighting, Smart Home Gadgets - Homekit Smart Plug - Tech Gifts - Works W/ Apple iPhone, Easy NFC Set Up : Tools & Home Improvement}}</ref><ref name=":12" /> and advertising them as working with Google, Alexa, & more.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com: Wemo |url=https://www.amazon.com/stores/Wemo/page/E33F6EA2-93FC-48CD-8BF6-EE10D5398795 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/wip/TBvNl |access-date=2025-07-13 |website=Amazon.com: Wemo}}</ref> | ||
According to Belkin, after January 31, 2026, devices from Wemo plugs, switches, light dimmers, sensors, in-wall devices & more will no longer be usable via | According to Belkin, after January 31, 2026, devices from Wemo plugs, switches, light dimmers, sensors, in-wall devices & more will no longer be usable via | ||
*Wemo app | *Wemo app | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Wemo is a smart home product line developed by Belkin, first made in 2011. It includes smart plugs, light switches, motion sensors, dimmers, & connected appliances like coffee makers | Wemo is a smart home product line developed by Belkin, first made in 2011. It includes smart plugs, light switches, motion sensors, dimmers, & connected appliances like coffee makers & humidifers These devices were marketed as one time purchases with cloud features, app control, and integration with Alexa/Google Home/Apple Homekit. | ||
Wemo became popular for convenience, ease of use, and integration with a wide variety of voice assistants & cloud automation programs. | Wemo became popular for convenience, ease of use, and integration with a wide variety of voice assistants & cloud automation programs. | ||
==Belkin 2025 shutdown announcement== | ==Belkin 2025 shutdown announcement== | ||
[[File:Email from belkin about wemo shutdown.jpg|alt=email from belkin about wemo shutdown[1]|thumb|email from belkin about wemo shutdown | [[File:Email from belkin about wemo shutdown.jpg|alt=email from belkin about wemo shutdown[1]|thumb|email from belkin about wemo shutdown]] | ||
On July 10th 2025, Belkin created a support page & began emailing customers informing them that most Wemo devices would stop working on January 31, 2026. <ref name=":0" / | On July 10th 2025, Belkin created a support page & began emailing customers informing them that most Wemo devices would stop working on January 31, 2026. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
The company said it had made a "difficult decision" to shut down cloud services for Wemo products & that any feature requiring cloud connectivity, such as app control& voice assistant support, would stop functioning. | The company said it had made a "difficult decision" to shut down cloud services for Wemo products & that any feature requiring cloud connectivity, such as app control& voice assistant support, would stop functioning. | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
*Wemo app will not be updated after January 31, 2026. | *Wemo app will not be updated after January 31, 2026. | ||
*Out of warranty users are being told to take them to an e-waste recycling facility | *Out of warranty users are being told to take them to an e-waste recycling facility | ||
===Partial list of devices affected:=== | |||
*Wemo Smart Plug | |||
*Wemo smart light switches | |||
*Wemo inwall dimmers & switches | |||
*Wemo applianes like smart crockpots, air purifiers, coffeemakers & humidifiers | |||
*Wemo motion sensors & LED lighting kits | |||
===Belkin tells customers to throw them away=== | ===Belkin tells customers to throw them away=== | ||
| Line 29: | Line 37: | ||
===Belkin continues selling devices that they suggest be thrown away:=== | ===Belkin continues selling devices that they suggest be thrown away:=== | ||
In spite of the prior statement, Amazon is still making for sale Wemo items on their Amazon, from smart plugs | In spite of the prior statement, Amazon is still making for sale Wemo items on their Amazon, from smart plugs to light switches<ref name=":1" />. As of 2025-07-13, The WeMo store still displays the following, while making '''no mention''' '''of support ending on January 30, 2026''': | ||
<blockquote>WORKS WITH: | <blockquote>WORKS WITH: | ||
| Line 42: | Line 50: | ||
ifttt </blockquote><gallery mode="slideshow"> | ifttt </blockquote><gallery mode="slideshow"> | ||
File:Stillsellingplug.jpg| Belkin Wemo dimmer still for sale on amazon after Belkin announced that it will be ending support for this product entirely. | File:Stillsellingplug.jpg| Belkin Wemo dimmer still for sale on amazon after Belkin announced that it will be ending support for this product entirely. | ||
File:Stillsellingdimmer.jpg| Belkin light switch still for sale on amazon after they announced that the product will no longer retain full functionality in less than six months. <ref name=":1" | File:Stillsellingdimmer.jpg| Belkin light switch still for sale on amazon after they announced that the product will no longer retain full functionality in less than six months. <ref name=":1" /> | ||
File:Amazonwemostoreworks.jpg| Belkin claiming on their amazon Wemo store that their devices work with a wide variety of platforms from Amazon alexa, apple homekit, google assistant, nest, etc. in spite of the fact that they have already announces that they will not work at all six months from now. | File:Amazonwemostoreworks.jpg| Belkin claiming on their amazon Wemo store that their devices work with a wide variety of platforms from Amazon alexa, apple homekit, google assistant, nest, etc. in spite of the fact that they have already announces that they will not work at all six months from now. | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== | ===Belkin's response=== | ||
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.}} | {{Placeholder box|If applicable, add the proposed solution to the issues by the company.}} | ||
Belkin suggested that some customers may be eligible for a partial refund if they have a proof of purchase & are within warranty. For those who are not in warranty, Belkin recommends disposing of the devices at an authorized e-waste recycling center. <ref name=":2" /> | |||
==Lawsuit== | ==Lawsuit== | ||
{{Placeholder box|If applicable, add any information regarding litigation around the incident here. | {{Placeholder box|If applicable, add any information regarding litigation around the incident here. | ||
| Line 63: | Line 71: | ||
The outcome of the suit, if any.}} | The outcome of the suit, if any.}} | ||
==Consumer response== | |||
Customers were aggravated to find out that Belkin would not be offering firmware updates or local control options for discontinued products as loss of cloud control defeats the purpose they were purchased for. | |||
== | The end of cloud support for Belkin’s WeMo products received backlash on forums & technology news sites. Many customers expressed aggravation at the loss of functionality; especially for devices that were still working & previously more expensive in the smart home space. | ||
===Arstechnica comments=== | |||
In response to Belkin's recommendation that wemo devices be disposed of at an e-waste recycling center, `ReaderBot` suggested the following: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
" I recommend boxing them up and shipping them directly to Belkin corporate headquarters." | |||
- [ReaderBot on Arstechnica](https://arstechnica.com/civis/threads/belkin-shows-tech-firms-getting-too-comfortable-with-bricking-customers%E2%80%99-stuff.1508302/post-43842885) | |||
</blockquote> | |||
===Reddit backlash=== | |||
Reddit users posted their frustration in the r/WeMo thread announcing the shutdown: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
"They just guaranteed I'll never buy Belkin again. Half the light switches in my house are going to need replacing." | |||
— [argonzo on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2en9py/) | |||
</blockquote> | |||
<blockquote> | |||
"At least they did it during Prime Day(s) so you can get suitable replacement (like Kasa) for a relative steal." | |||
— [same thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/) | |||
</blockquote> | |||
<blockquote> | |||
"I figured it's made by a trusted brand so it would be better than using no name Amazon junk. What a joke... Belkin is never getting a dollar from me again." | |||
— [ho_merjpimpson on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2et52a/) | |||
</blockquote> | |||
Some called for transparency and options: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
"It would be great if they released a firmware update to allow it to be setup/controlled locally at least. Or open source the firmware." | |||
— [naturalorange on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2eh166/) | |||
</blockquote> | |||
Others drew parallels to digital game preservation campaigns: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
"Just like cloud based games & the Stop Killing Games campaign, there probably needs to be something similar for IoT." | |||
— [whitebean on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/WeMo/comments/1lwilvc/comment/n2esknt/) | |||
</blockquote> | |||
===Technology press commentary=== | |||
Ars Technica’s Scharon Harding said the shutdown left "a long list of WeMo products that relied on the app...non-functional" & framed Belkin’s move as a reflection of an industry that "has grown too comfortable with bricking customers’ stuff" without offering recourse or transparency. | |||
— [Ars Technica, July 12, 2025](https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/belkin-shows-tech-firms-getting-too-comfortable-with-bricking-customers-stuff/) | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||