Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account • Hacker News Board

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#31

Post by littlestymaar » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:08 AM UTC

acadapter wrote: post #27

andersrs wrote: post #3

#internetofshit

Internet of Trash would be a better name (same IoT abbrev.)

Too bad this ship has sailed long ago.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#32

Post by rpodraza » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:08 AM UTC

Does anyone know if they can force users to do so in EU? It sounds like it's gonna make the product unusable if not registered, therefore revoking my previous rights to use a product without an account.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#33

Post by amelius » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:09 AM UTC

We need a no-tether law.

If you buy a product you should be able to use it even if you completely break all ties with the original vendor. Otherwise it's a service and not a product.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#34

Post by lotsofpulp » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:09 AM UTC

jorvi wrote: post #22

zeisch wrote: post #10

Time and time again It takes just one MBA trying to boost numbers to turn a good product into a data collection nightmare. Honestly is there any IoT brand that we can trust long-term? Maybe IKEA stuff?

There is a somewhat strangely named German brand that sells private IoT door / security cams. Forgot the name, sadly. They’re quite expensive though. My guess is they might sell private lightbulbs. For home audio, Sonos is great. Their voice assistant is completely locally processed.

This one is French, but I thought it might be what you are referring to.

https://www.netatmo.com/

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#35

Post by littlestymaar » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:10 AM UTC

justinclift wrote: post #24

noncoml wrote: post #7

HP was forcing me to have an account to scan on my printer using their mobile app. I voted with my money and when I needed a printer for my dad I got a Brother.

Brother is unfortunately playing games with DRM and similar now too. :(

Bad service drives out good…

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#36

Post by Escapado » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:10 AM UTC

Whenever I read something like this I sometimes wonder if there is a viable model for a consumer electronics company which works akin to a non-profit that has irrevocable principles it has to follow where something like this won't happen and where shareholder value, buy outs and angel investors can't force the company to become like that. A company that makes use of open standards and hardware, respects right to repair, user privacy, local/offline first, open sources its hardware and software, works with sustainable ecofriendly materials and processes whereever possible, has a transparent and fair salary structure and open inclusive company culture and won't engage in toxic or anti-competitive behaviour.

Now I realise that a lot of those points are not as clear cut and products would probably cost a bunch more but somehow I would prefer that. What do you guys think?

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#37

Post by mrweasel » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:11 AM UTC

The whole IoT world is a huge mess. A large number of the products are a massive privacy nightmare, security is questionable in interoperability is a pipe dream.

I have an old house, where it location of a few switches are just completely illogical. One solution would be to install a few "smart" switches and a relay or two. If I want to stay secure and care the least bit about cost and privacy, there's no choice other than run an open source gateway solution, funnily enough it's also the only solution that will work with almost everything.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#38

Post by amelius » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:11 AM UTC

brainzap wrote: post #20

zeisch wrote: post #10

Time and time again It takes just one MBA trying to boost numbers to turn a good product into a data collection nightmare. Honestly is there any IoT brand that we can trust long-term? Maybe IKEA stuff?

companies are profit first, not trust first

Yes, we need more regulation. Or a better system to begin with.

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#39

Post by chx » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:11 AM UTC

Escapado wrote: post #36

Whenever I read something like this I sometimes wonder if there is a viable model for a consumer electronics company which works akin to a non-profit that has irrevocable principles it has to follow where something like this won't happen and where shareholder value, buy outs and angel investors can't force the company to become like that. A company that makes use of open standards and hardware, respects right to repa…

Both people who care about these would make a great customer base /s

Re: Philips Hue will soon force users to create an account

#40

Post by krisoft » Thu, Sep 21, 2023, 9:12 AM UTC

dharmab wrote: post #12

krisoft wrote: post #9

I have noticed the announcement of the change too. This materially changes the product for me. I was a happy user so far, and was thinking about buying more bulbs in fact, but not anymore. Is there a way to force the company to return the money I have paid for my bulbs and hub so far? Even if it is arduous and cost me more money than I'm able to gain back I would be inclined to do it to signal my displeasure with thi…

Sue in small claims court?

Possible. But I guess I should maybe wait for the change to actually happen, then send the equipment back to them and ask for a refund, and only sue them if they are not refunding me?