Bankrupt Futurehome suddenly makes its smart home hub a subscription service

Futurehome, a smart home device manufacturer, has taken a controversial step by mandating a subscription service for fundamental functionalities of its products. Established in 2016, the company's flagship product, the Smarthub, was initially sold as a comprehensive solution for managing Internet-connected devices within smart homes. This included smart thermostats, lighting, and safety alarms, all accessible through a one-time payment that covered app and cloud service access. Starting June 26, however, the company requires users to pay an annual subscription fee of 1,188 NOK (approximately $116.56) to maintain access to these essential features. Without the subscription, users will lose the ability to control their devices, set automations, and receive customer support, effectively rendering their devices non-functional. Futurehome's FAQ states, "You lose access to controlling devices, configuring automations, modes, shortcuts, and energy services." The change has understandably upset many customers who feel blindsided by the new fees for technology they have already purchased. More experienced users are voicing concerns that this shift jeopardizes the devices' ability to operate independently from the cloud by relying solely on local connections. Futurehome has indicated that they "cannot guarantee that there will not be changes in the future" regarding local API access. In a discussion on Reddit, one user expressed sympathy for Futurehome's need to cover ongoing operational costs but criticized the decision to restrict local functions—features that should be accessible without a subscription. For now, customers who choose not to subscribe can still perform basic actions, such as managing household accounts and resetting their Smarthubs, although their experience will be significantly limited.