NEWSCENTRAL views Logitech’s recent decision as an alarming signal for the entire Internet of Things (IoT) industry. When the company announced that, starting October 15, 2025, its POP Buttons and the associated hub would completely lose functionality, it wasn’t just another piece of news. It was a demonstration of how even a seemingly reliable device can become useless overnight-not due to hardware failure, but because a manufacturer decided to shut down the supporting cloud service.
POP Buttons were originally launched as a convenient, tangible interface for home automation. With a simple press, users could trigger lighting scenes on Philips Hue, control Lutron blinds, or start playlists on Sonos-all through a central hub and app. The starter kit was priced around $100, with additional buttons sold for $40. However, the lack of local logic and full reliance on the cloud created a single point of failure.
Logitech notified owners of the end of support only a couple of weeks before the shutdown. In the email, the company stated: “Your POP Buttons and associated hub will lose all functionality”-with no option for a local mode or independent migration. As “compensation,” Logitech offered a 15% discount on its products (including the Ultimate Ears line), but the offer is limited to the U.S. and excludes certain items.
According to Ethan Walker, InfoTectonics analyst for hardware technologies and consumer electronics, this move illustrates how companies increasingly treat “smart” devices not as long-term products but as cloud subscriptions with a built-in expiration date. Lucas Grant, NEWSCENTRAL analyst for semiconductor and manufacturing strategies, adds that the repeated integration failures of POP with HomeKit and SmartThings-as well as the gradual API degradation in recent years-were not just warning signs, but direct red flags Logitech chose to ignore.
Critics compare this situation to past cases where manufacturers shut down cloud services, turning devices into “digital fossils.” It underscores one of the main weaknesses of the smart home ecosystem-dependence on proprietary servers. Our experts predict that this precedent will further strengthen the case for local and open control systems such as Matter, Thread, and Home Assistant.
Across the industry, there’s growing demand for transparent device support timelines, rights to local control, and obligations to release updates over many years. At NEWSCENTRAL, we agree: without guarantees of long-term support and local functionality, even advanced devices risk becoming e-waste long before they physically wear out.
Given the current trends, we forecast that 2026-2028 will be a period of reevaluation for IoT monetization models. Manufacturers unable to adapt to the demand for sustainable products will lose customer loyalty. NEWS CENTRAL recommendations are as follows: when choosing smart home devices, prioritize local functionality, open APIs, and the brand’s reputation for long-term support-and avoid excessive dependence on cloud services. These principles, along with market pressure, will define the resilient architecture of the “smart home” in the coming decade.