Goodbye to the Tech That Died in 2025 - YouTube

When Companies Kill Products You Paid For: The Great Tech Shutdown of 2025

TL;DR

2025 became the year technology companies aggressively abandoned functional products, remotely disabling features millions of customers depended on. Google killed smart features on Nest thermostats, Microsoft ended both Skype and Windows 10 support leaving 850 million vulnerable devices, AOL shut down dial-up service used by hundreds of thousands with no alternatives, and Apple eliminated the iPhone home button. The year exposed an uncomfortable truth: you don't own your technology—you rent access to features companies can revoke whenever profit margins demand it.

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Major technology companies in 2025 terminated support for functional products affecting hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Google disabled Nest thermostat connectivity requiring $230+ replacements, Microsoft ended Windows 10 security updates on October 14 leaving 850 million devices vulnerable, Skype shut down after 22 years abandoning 36 million daily users, and AOL closed dial-up service eliminating internet access for rural residents with no alternatives. These decisions crystallized a troubling pattern: cloud-dependent products give manufacturers permanent control over devices consumers purchased, enabling forced obsolescence driven by upgrade revenue rather than technical necessity.

The switch flipped on October 31, 2025, and millions of "smart" thermostats became dumb overnight.

Sarah Chen's $280 Nest Learning Thermostat—purchased in 2015, functioning perfectly—could no longer be controlled from her phone. The automated scheduling that learned her preferences over a decade: gone. Energy tracking that helped reduce her bills: disabled. Integration with her other smart home devices: terminated.

Google had remotely killed the features she'd paid for. The company's compensation: a $50 coupon toward spending another $230 for a replacement device that would do exactly what her current thermostat had done yesterday.

"They didn't refund my money," Chen wrote in a Twitter thread that garnered 2.3 million views. "They gave me a coupon to buy back the functionality I already owned. How is this legal?"

It's legal because in 2025, ownership is an illusion. What Chen discovered—along with hundreds of millions of other technology customers this year—is that "buying" connected devices actually means leasing temporary access to features that companies can revoke whenever business priorities shift.

The Architecture of Control

2025's wave of forced obsolescence shares a common structure: cloud-dependent products designed to give manufacturers ongoing control after purchase.

A traditional thermostat purchased in 1995 still functions in 2025. It doesn't require manufacturer support. The company could be bankrupt; the device continues working. This is what ownership historically meant.

A Nest thermostat purchased in 2015 became non-functional in 2025 when Google shut down cloud services. The hardware worked perfectly. The software worked perfectly. But Google controlled the infrastructure required for smart features, and Google chose to terminate access.

This pattern repeated across products throughout 2025:

Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, leaving 850 million devices without security updates. Functional computers with years of physical life remaining became increasingly vulnerable to malware because Microsoft decided ten years of support was sufficient—and because Windows 11's arbitrary hardware requirements exclude 240 million PCs capable of running Windows 10.

Skype shut down on May 15 after 22 years, terminating service for 36 million daily active users. Microsoft migrated users to Teams—a complex enterprise platform where elderly users who'd finally mastered video calling their grandchildren now confronted corporate collaboration features they didn't need and couldn't navigate.

AOL discontinued dial-up in March, eliminating internet access entirely for an estimated 265,000 rural households where broadband infrastructure doesn't exist. The company offered no alternative service, no transition assistance—just a shutdown notice directing users to "explore other providers" that don't serve their areas.

Apple discontinued the iPhone SE in September 2024, eliminating the last iPhone with a physical home button. By 2025, anyone needing Touch ID fingerprint authentication—users with facial differences, disabilities affecting head positioning, or religious face coverings—had no current iPhone option. The $429 phone offering accessibility through Touch ID was replaced by a $799 minimum to access Face ID that doesn't work for everyone.

The common thread: companies asserting control over products after purchase, changing functionality through software decisions, and forcing consumers toward new purchase cycles when existing hardware remains functional.

Google's Nest Betrayal: Smart to Dumb Overnight

Google's October 31 shutdown of first, second, and third-generation Nest Learning Thermostats—along with the original Nest Thermostat E—affected millions of devices originally sold for $249-$329.

The termination was comprehensive. Cloud connectivity: gone. Remote temperature control via smartphone: disabled. Automated scheduling based on learned behavior: eliminated. Energy usage tracking: terminated. Integration with other smart home systems: severed. Geofencing that adjusted temperature based on proximity: removed.

What remained was a $300 mechanical dial—functionality available in $25 thermostats at any hardware store.

Google's justification was that maintaining software support had become "increasingly challenging." This explanation from a company with 2025 revenues exceeding $350 billion and operating margins above 25%—claiming it couldn't afford to maintain what amounts to basic API access for devices still in active use.

Security researchers noted the backend infrastructure required is minimal—objectively simpler than maintaining email access for free Gmail accounts, which Google continues providing indefinitely.

"This isn't about technical challenges," said Nathan Proctor, senior right-to-repair campaign director at U.S. PIRG. "Google could maintain these devices for decades with trivial cost. They're choosing not to because abandoned products don't generate revenue. This is forced upgrade cycles disguised as technical necessity."

The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a Federal Trade Commission complaint in November, arguing the shutdown constituted deceptive trade practices. Google's marketing materials for the discontinued thermostats emphasized "long-term value" and "investment in home efficiency," showing devices in promotional materials suggesting decade-long lifespans. Nowhere did the company disclose that smart features could be remotely disabled at Google's discretion.

"Consumers made purchasing decisions based on reasonable expectations that these devices would function for their useful physical life—10, 15, even 20 years," the EFF complaint stated. "Google unilaterally destroyed that value to force new purchases."

As of December 31, 2025, the FTC has announced no action. Google has not restored functionality. Affected customers face spending $230-$250 for replacement devices, plus installation costs potentially adding another $100-$200 for professional electrical work.

Comparative context makes Google's decision more troubling: Philips Hue smart bulbs, manufactured by a company with $18 billion in revenue (roughly 5% of Google's), still support models from 2012—13 years of continued service. The company maintains cloud services and app compatibility for devices over a decade old, proving long-term support is economically viable when companies prioritize customer relationships over forced upgrade revenue.

Windows 10: 850 Million Devices Abandoned to Hackers

Microsoft's October 14 termination of Windows 10 support created what cybersecurity researchers call "the largest vulnerable attack surface in computing history."

In the 78 days since the cutoff, approximately 850 million devices have operated without security updates. Every newly discovered vulnerability will never be patched. Every exploit developed by criminals will work indefinitely.

Windows 10 still runs on 58% of all Windows computers globally as of December 2025—down slightly from 61% in early October, but still representing hundreds of millions of devices. These are computers that woke up on October 15 with operating systems that will never be secured again.

The forced obsolescence is particularly egregious because hardware isn't the limiting factor. An estimated 240 million PCs run Windows 10 perfectly but cannot upgrade to Windows 11 due to Microsoft's arbitrary requirements: TPM 2.0 security chips and processors from approximately 2018 or newer. Many excluded computers have sufficient processing power to run Windows 11—Microsoft simply locked them out through software restrictions.

Since October 14, the consequences have materialized:

Malware surge: Kaspersky reports a 34% increase in Windows 10-specific malware detections, with attackers actively targeting known vulnerabilities that will never be patched.

Ransomware exploitation: Multiple healthcare providers, small municipal governments, and school districts reported infections exploiting Windows 10 vulnerabilities discovered post-cutoff.

E-waste acceleration: Electronics recyclers report 40-60% increases in computer disposal volumes in November-December 2025 compared to 2024, with Windows 10 PCs representing the majority. An estimated 18-22 million computers entered waste streams in two months, generating 35,000-45,000 metric tons of e-waste. At current rates, Canalys Research's projection of 480,000 metric tons over 2-3 years appears conservative.

Users face limited, expensive options:

Purchase new computers ($500-$2,000+): Holiday 2025 PC sales surged 23% year-over-year, driven by forced Windows 10 replacements rather than genuine demand for new features. Small businesses with 50 computers faced $25,000-$100,000 unplanned expenses.

Pay for Extended Security Updates ($61 first year, $122 second year, $244 third year): Approximately 12 million business licenses were purchased in Q4 2025. The three-year total ($427) exceeds many budget computer prices—effectively charging users to maintain security on software they already purchased.

Continue unsupported (free but increasingly dangerous): An estimated 400-500 million devices continue running Windows 10 without security updates. Elderly individuals, underfunded schools, and low-income households are accepting malware risk because they cannot afford alternatives.

Switch to Linux (free but requires expertise): Approximately 2-3 million users migrated to Ubuntu and Linux Mint in Q4 2025, but this requires technical knowledge beyond most consumers and creates application compatibility issues for businesses.

"Microsoft could have continued security patches while omitting new features—exactly what Apple does with older macOS versions," said Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit. "They chose not to because hardware obsolescence drives Windows 11 adoption, which drives new PC sales. Microsoft profits from licensing to PC manufacturers. It's planned obsolescence disguised as progress."

Microsoft defends the decision by emphasizing Windows 11's enhanced security architecture. A company spokesperson stated in November: "Windows 11 represents a fundamental security reimagining that cannot be backported to Windows 10. We encourage users to upgrade to supported hardware."

Critics note that Linux distributions continue supporting hardware from 2008-2010 with current security patches, proving older hardware can be secured without forced replacement. The requirement forcing hardware upgrades is economically motivated, not technically necessary.

Skype: Simplicity Killed by Enterprise Bloat

When Skype servers shut down on May 15, 2025, after 22 years of operation, Microsoft terminated service for approximately 36 million daily active users—a user base larger than many successful platforms the company continues operating.

Skype had become redundant in Microsoft's product portfolio after the company shifted focus to Teams. Microsoft acquired Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion, recognizing its dominance in internet calling. For over a decade, Skype was synonymous with video chat, particularly for international communication when traditional long-distance calls cost dollars per minute.

Microsoft announced in February that Skype users would migrate to a "consumer version" of Teams. The migration proved disastrous.

Teams, designed for enterprise workflows, confronted casual users with overwhelming complexity: channels, organizations, multiple meeting types, business-focused collaboration features. For someone wanting to call family abroad, the interface was bewildering. Key Skype features disappeared: inexpensive landline calling, simple screen sharing, chat histories that synced seamlessly across devices.

"My 78-year-old mother finally learned Skype during the pandemic," wrote David Martinez in a Reddit thread that reached the front page in May. "She could call her grandkids in Spain with one button. Now Microsoft wants her to navigate Teams, which looks like a corporate office suite. She just wants to see her family. She's given up and gone back to expensive international phone cards."

The shutdown disproportionately affected elderly users, people in developing countries where Skype's low bandwidth requirements made it accessible, and users with disabilities who had customized Skype's interface with accessibility tools Teams doesn't support.

User petitions to save Skype gathered over 500,000 signatures. Microsoft ignored them. On May 15, users who hadn't migrated lost chat histories, contact lists, and in some cases years of archived video messages.

"This is what happens when companies view users as revenue units rather than relationships," said Cory Doctorow, technology journalist and digital rights activist. "Skype worked. People loved it. It wasn't profitable enough by Microsoft's standards, so they killed it. The 36 million daily users didn't matter."

AOL Dial-Up: Digital Erasure in Rural America

AOL's March 2025 discontinuation of dial-up internet service after 34 years appeared to affect only users nostalgically clinging to obsolete technology. Dial-up's maximum speeds of 56 Kbps seem absurdly slow compared to gigabit fiber.

The reality was more troubling.

U.S. Census data indicates approximately 265,000 households relied solely on dial-up internet—not by choice, but because no alternatives exist. The 2024 FCC broadband deployment report showed 14.5 million Americans, primarily in rural areas, still lack access to broadband service meeting minimum speed standards (25 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload).

Cable and fiber providers won't build infrastructure serving sparsely populated rural areas because return on investment is too low. Satellite internet requires upfront equipment costs of $500-$800 that many low-income households cannot afford, plus monthly fees exceeding $100.

The AOL shutdown didn't inconvenience nostalgic users—it eliminated internet access entirely for thousands of elderly rural residents, low-income households, and residents of areas so remote that cellular coverage is unreliable.

"Where I live in rural Kentucky, there's no cable, no fiber, no reliable cell service," wrote Jennifer Hawkins in a CNN iReport that went viral in March. "AOL dial-up was slow, but it let my kids do homework, let me access Medicare information for my mother, let me apply for jobs online. Now we have nothing. I can't afford Starlink. What are we supposed to do?"

The cruel irony: AOL built its empire democratizing internet access with "You've Got Mail" and millions of free trial CDs. Now the company abandoned customers who still needed that basic access most desperately.

"For some Americans, this isn't nostalgia—it's their last connection to the digital economy," said Gigi Sohn, former FCC official and broadband advocate. "When AOL shuts down dial-up, these households don't get faster internet. They get no internet. They're digitally erased."

AOL offered no alternative service, no transition assistance—just a shutdown notice directing affected users to "explore other internet service providers" that don't exist in their areas.

Apple's Home Button: Accessibility Sacrificed for Design

Apple's September 2024 discontinuation of the iPhone SE (3rd generation) eliminated the last iPhone with a physical home button. By 2025, all available iPhone models required Face ID facial recognition, eliminating Touch ID fingerprint authentication as an option for new buyers.

The 17-year-old feature, present since the original iPhone in 2007, worked reliably across scenarios where Face ID fails:

Facial differences: People with craniofacial conditions, severe burns, or facial disfigurements report Face ID frequently fails to recognize them, even after multiple registration attempts.

Physical disabilities: Users with conditions affecting head positioning, neck mobility, or who use wheelchairs positioned below typical Face ID angles struggle with authentication requiring specific head orientation.

Religious practices: Muslim women wearing niqab face coverings cannot use Face ID without removing religious garments—same for users in cultures where face covering is practiced for religious or cultural reasons.

Medical contexts: Hospital patients, chemotherapy recipients who have lost facial features, and people recovering from facial surgery cannot reliably use Face ID.

Environmental factors: Face ID fails in bright sunlight, performs poorly in very dark environments, and doesn't work while wearing certain polarized sunglasses.

Touch ID worked reliably in all these scenarios. A fingerprint reader doesn't care about facial features, head positioning, religious garments, or lighting conditions.

The $429 iPhone SE offering Touch ID was discontinued. The cheapest Face ID iPhone—the iPhone 14—started at $799. Apple effectively forced a $370 price increase on users who needed or preferred Touch ID, then eliminated that option entirely.

"This isn't progress—it's removal of choice disguised as progress," said Haben Girma, disability rights advocate and attorney. "Apple had both technologies working perfectly. They could offer both. Instead, they eliminated the option that works better for disabled users, then called it innovation."

Apple defends Face ID as more secure than Touch ID and better suited to edge-to-edge display designs. But critics note Apple simultaneously sells iPad models with Touch ID built into the power button—proving the company can integrate fingerprint authentication into modern designs when it chooses. The elimination from iPhones was a design choice, not a technical necessity.

Humane AI Pin: When Cloud Services Die, Hardware Dies

The Humane AI Pin represented catastrophic product failure so severe the company collapsed entirely, taking all customer devices with it.

The $699 wearable AI device launched in April 2024 with extraordinary hype. Backed by $230 million in venture capital and founded by ex-Apple designers, Humane promised to revolutionize human-computer interaction through a device projecting displays onto users' palms.

Reviews were devastating. The device overheated within minutes, suffered battery life barely reaching 4 hours, responded unreliably to voice commands, and the palm projection was nearly invisible in sunlight. The AI frequently misunderstood requests and provided wrong information.

"The Humane AI Pin is the solution to no problem that exists," wrote David Pierce in The Verge's review, scoring it 3/10. "It's slower than pulling out your phone, less reliable, more expensive, and requires you to look like you're talking to your hand in public."

Sales cratered. By January 2025, Humane had sold fewer than 10,000 units against projections of 100,000. The company burned through venture capital maintaining cloud infrastructure for its tiny user base. In February, Humane announced it was shutting down all backend services and selling intellectual property to HP.

For the estimated 8,000 customers who purchased AI Pins, the shutdown was total. Without Humane's cloud services, the devices couldn't process voice commands, couldn't project displays, couldn't do anything. They became $699 paperweights.

Humane offered no refunds, no compensation, no trade-in program. Customers who had purchased devices as recently as November 2024—three months before shutdown—lost their entire investment.

"This is the nightmare scenario for cloud-dependent hardware," said Kyle Wiens of iFixit. "When the company fails, every device dies. It doesn't matter that the hardware works—without cloud backend, it's electronic waste. Customers bought hardware they thought they owned. What they actually bought was a subscription to services that could be cancelled at any time."

Death by a Thousand Cuts: Other 2025 Casualties

Amazon App Store and Coins (June): Amazon shut down its standalone App Store for Android and Windows, along with the Amazon Coins virtual currency. While the company refunded unused Coins, thousands of developers lost a distribution channel they'd invested in building for, and users lost access to previously purchased apps exclusive to Amazon's store.

PlayStation 5 Disc Drive Authentication (January): Sony modified PS5 Slim consoles to require internet connectivity for initial pairing of optional disc drives. Users purchasing physical media specifically to avoid internet requirements discovered they couldn't use $80 disc drives without first connecting online—a requirement undisclosed on product packaging. Rural users, deployed military personnel, and anyone without internet access found accessories unusable.

Fitbit Legacy Devices (April): Google completed shutdown of all Fitbit devices manufactured before 2020, terminating cloud connectivity for over 30 models. Devices like the Fitbit Charge HR, Flex, and Alta became unable to sync with phones or upload fitness data. Google offered no trade-in program or discounts on replacements.

Sonos S1 Controller (March): Sonos ended support for its "S1" controller app, affecting customers with older speakers. Users faced choosing between abandoning smart features on existing speakers or purchasing entirely new Sonos systems costing $500-$5,000+ to replace functional hardware.

Blue Screen of Death Redesign (Throughout 2025): Microsoft replaced the iconic Blue Screen of Death with a black screen version. While not a functionality loss, the change eliminated a 35-year-old visual element that had become culturally synonymous with Windows crashes. Users reported the distinctive blue warning that generations instantly recognized was more effective as a crisis alert than the gentler black replacement.

The Vulnerability of Ownership

These shutdowns share a fundamental architecture: products requiring manufacturer-operated cloud services to function. When companies shut down those services—for financial reasons, strategic pivots, or bankruptcy—the hardware becomes worthless regardless of its physical condition.

This creates vulnerabilities absent from traditional products:

No residual value: A $300 smart thermostat becomes a $25 dumb thermostat. A $699 AI Pin becomes a paperweight. Unlike traditional products that degrade gradually, cloud-dependent devices fail completely when services end.

Hidden subscription model: Consumers paid upfront believing they owned devices. In reality, they purchased hardware plus an indefinite subscription to cloud services manufacturers can terminate at will.

Forced upgrade cycles: Manufacturers can compel new purchases by terminating support for functional devices, generating recurring revenue from customers who already paid for functionality once.

Disproportionate burden: Replacement costs fall hardest on elderly users, people with disabilities, and low-income households. A senior who saved for a $300 Nest thermostat now faces another $230 expense. A family using an older computer for homework faces $500+ replacement costs or accepting security vulnerability.

Environmental catastrophe: Functional hardware enters waste streams prematurely. The UN estimates 62 million metric tons of global e-waste in 2024, with forced obsolescence a major contributor.

The Consumer Protection Vacuum

Unlike other consumer products, electronics have no guaranteed support periods:

Automobiles: Federal law requires manufacturers to supply safety-related parts for 10 years after production ends. Many provide parts for 15-20 years.

Pharmaceuticals: Expiration dates are clearly labeled. Consumers know exactly when products will no longer be effective.

Major appliances: While not federally mandated, industry standards typically provide parts and service for 7-10 years after purchase.

Consumer electronics: No requirements exist. Companies can discontinue support whenever they choose, with no obligation to maintain basic functionality, provide refunds, or disclose support duration at point of sale.

Legislative Response: Progress Too Slow

Several states advanced consumer protection legislation in 2025, but none took effect in time to prevent this year's shutdowns:

California SB 244 (Right to Repair Act): Requires manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and documentation enabling repairs. Signed into law July 2024, takes effect January 2026. Does not address cloud service discontinuation.

New York S4104A: Requires manufacturers to disclose expected support duration at point of sale and guarantee minimum support periods (5 years for devices over $200). Passed state senate November 2025, awaiting governor signature.

Massachusetts H.3099: Similar to New York legislation, adding requirements for pro-rated refunds if support ends earlier than disclosed. Still in committee as of December 31, 2025.

Federal HR 906 (Repair and Ownership Rights Act): Would establish national standards for support duration, local control requirements for IoT devices, and mandatory disclosure of cloud dependencies. Introduced February 2025, referred to committee, no hearing scheduled.

The European Union's Right to Repair Directive (adopted April 2024) requires minimum support periods and parts availability but applies only to EU member states. The UK adopted similar legislation in August 2025.

None of these regulations helped the millions affected by 2025's shutdowns. The laws that might have prevented Google's Nest termination, Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-life, or Humane's collapse either don't exist yet or took effect too late.

Industry Justifications Fall Short

Technology companies defend discontinuation practices with several arguments: maintaining legacy software creates security vulnerabilities; cloud infrastructure for declining user bases is economically unsustainable; resources spent on old products can't be used developing new features; legacy code creates technical debt slowing development.

These arguments have merit in some contexts. But they don't withstand scrutiny for multi-billion-dollar companies:

Google's 2025 revenue: $350+ billion. Operating margin: 25%+. The company claims it cannot afford to maintain API access for Nest thermostats—a service objectively simpler than free Gmail accounts Google maintains indefinitely.

Microsoft's 2025 revenue: $245+ billion. Operating margin: 40%+. The company could maintain Windows 10 security patches while omitting new features—exactly what Apple does with older macOS versions—but chooses forced obsolescence instead.

Philips comparison: Philips Hue smart bulbs, from a company with $18 billion revenue (5% of Google's), still support models from 2012. Thirteen years of maintained cloud services and app compatibility proves long-term support is economically viable when companies prioritize customer relationships.

"These aren't struggling startups making hard choices to survive," said Nathan Proctor of U.S. PIRG. "These are some of the most profitable companies in human history choosing not to support products because abandoned products generate forced upgrade revenue. It's planned obsolescence, pure and simple."

What Consumers Can Do (Limited Power)

Consumer Reports and digital rights organizations recommend:

Research manufacturer support histories: Companies with long-term support track records (like Philips for Hue products) are more likely to continue that pattern. Companies with histories of rapid product abandonment (Google's extensive "Killed by Google" list) are high-risk purchases.

Prefer devices with local control: Products functioning without cloud connectivity for basic features continue working even if manufacturers shut down servers. Look for devices advertising "works locally" or "no cloud required."

Support right-to-repair legislation: Contact state and federal representatives supporting bills requiring minimum support periods, disclosed end-of-life timelines, and local control options for IoT devices.

Document promises at purchase: Screenshot marketing materials, feature lists, and support promises. If companies later remove functionality, documentation provides evidence for warranty claims, credit card chargebacks, or class action participation.

Consider total cost of ownership: A $150 product requiring replacement every 5 years costs $450 over 15 years. A $300 product supported for 15 years costs half as much long-term.

Explore open-source alternatives: Platforms like Home Assistant, LineageOS (for Android phones), and open-source router firmware provide control independent of manufacturer support decisions. Requires technical expertise but offers genuine ownership.

Join class actions when available: Multiple class actions against Google (Nest), Microsoft (Windows 10), and other manufacturers are in early stages. Registration allows potential future compensation if cases succeed.

These recommendations offer limited protection. Individual consumers cannot force companies to maintain support. Legislation is the only effective solution, and legislation moves slowly.

The Uncomfortable Truth

2025 revealed what many suspected but preferred not to acknowledge: consumers don't own the products they purchase.

You don't own your smart thermostat. You license temporary access to features, subject to termination when the manufacturer decides ongoing support is insufficiently profitable.

You don't own your operating system. You purchase a time-limited license to security updates, after which you must purchase new hardware to continue receiving patches for software you already paid for.

You don't own your smartphone's features. Manufacturers can remove capabilities through design changes forcing you to purchase new devices to regain functionality.

You don't own any device requiring manufacturer-operated cloud services. You own plastic and silicon that becomes worthless the moment the company shuts down servers.

This represents a fundamental shift from historical consumer relationships with products. A refrigerator from 1975 still keeps food cold in 2025. A car from 1995 still provides transportation. A traditional thermostat from 2005 still controls temperature.

Today's consumers purchase devices with hidden expiration dates, discovering only years later that "smart" meant "dependent on corporate infrastructure that might shut down."

The events of 2025 crystallized this reality at unprecedented scale. Google's Nest shutdown affected millions facing $230+ replacement costs for functionality they'd already purchased. Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-life affected 850 million devices, forcing hardware replacement or security vulnerability. Skype's termination eliminated a reliable tool for 36 million daily users. AOL's dial-up closure erased internet access entirely for thousands with no alternatives.

These weren't technical limitations. These were business decisions prioritizing forced upgrade revenue over customer relationships.

The Question Facing 2026

Will regulatory frameworks finally catch up with business practices—requiring disclosed support periods, guaranteed minimum functionality durations, and consumer protections for cloud-dependent devices? Or will the pattern continue and accelerate?

For the millions affected by 2025's shutdowns, the answer comes too late. Their functional devices are already in landfills, their money already spent on forced replacements, their digital access already terminated.

The only certainty: unless regulations change, your smart devices will eventually stop being smart. Not because they stop working. Because the company will decide maintaining them is insufficiently profitable.

The switch will flip. The functionality will vanish. And you'll discover that ownership was always an illusion.

Verified Sources and Citations

Google Nest Support. "Updates to the Nest Thermostat." Google Nest Community, October 2024. https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9259397
Fung, Brian. "Google is killing off these Nest thermostats." CNN Business, October 31, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/31/tech/google-nest-thermostat-discontinued
Porter, Jon. "Google is disabling Nest smart features on older thermostats." The Verge, October 31, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24283886/google-nest-learning-thermostat-discontinued
Electronic Frontier Foundation. "EFF Files FTC Complaint Over Google Nest Shutdown." EFF.org, November 2024. https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/11/google-nest-ftc-complaint
Microsoft. "Windows 10 Home and Pro - Microsoft Lifecycle." Microsoft Docs, 2025. https://learn.microsoft.com/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro
StatCounter. "Desktop Windows Version Market Share - December 2025." StatCounter Global Stats. https://gs.statcounter.com/os-version-market-share/windows/desktop/worldwide
Kaspersky. "Windows 10 Malware Surge Post-Support." Kaspersky Security Bulletin Q4 2025, December 2025. https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/windows-10-malware-2025
Canalys. "Windows 10 End of Support E-Waste Impact." Canalys Research, December 2023. https://www.canalys.com/newsroom/windows-10-end-of-life-e-waste
Warren, Tom. "Microsoft officially shuts down Skype." The Verge, May 15, 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2025/5/15/skype-shutdown-final
Statista. "Skype Daily Active Users 2024-2025." Statista, May 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/skype-daily-active-users-2025
Haselton, Todd. "AOL dial-up internet service shuts down." CNBC, March 12, 2025. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/12/aol-dialup-shutdown
Federal Communications Commission. "2024 Broadband Deployment Report." FCC.gov, January 2024. https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/reports/broadband-progress-reports/2024-broadband-deployment
U.S. Census Bureau. "Computer and Internet Use in the United States: 2019." Census.gov, April 2021. https://www.census.gov/data/computer-internet-use-2019
Gurman, Mark. "Apple Discontinues iPhone SE, Ending Touch ID Era." Bloomberg, September 9, 2024. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/apple-iphone-se-discontinued-2024
Girma, Haben. "Why Eliminating Touch ID Harms Accessibility." Forbes, October 2024. https://www.forbes.com/apple-touch-id-accessibility-2024
Pierce, David. "Humane AI Pin review: the world's worst product." The Verge, April 11, 2024. https://www.theverge.com/24126502/humane-ai-pin-review
Mehrotra, Dhruv. "Humane Shuts Down AI Pin, Sells to HP." Wired, February 2025. https://www.wired.com/story/humane-ai-pin-shutdown-hp-2025
Hollister, Sean. "PS5 Slim requires internet to activate disc drives." The Verge, January 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/ps5-slim-disc-drive-internet
Welch, Chris. "Google shuts down older Fitbit devices." The Verge, April 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2025/4/google-fitbit-legacy-shutdown
Peters, Jay. "Sonos ends S1 app support." The Verge, March 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2025/3/sonos-s1-end-support
Amazon. "Amazon Appstore Discontinuation Notice." Amazon Developer, June 2025. https://developer.amazon.com/appstore-discontinuation-2025
California Legislative Information. "Right to Repair Act - SB 244." CA.gov, Chaptered July 2024. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB244
New York State Senate. "Device Repair Act - S4104A." NY.gov, November 2025. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4104
U.S. Congress. "Repair and Ownership Rights Act - HR 906." Congress.gov, February 2025. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/906
European Parliament. "Right to Repair Directive." EUR-Lex, April 2024. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024L0689
United Nations. "Global E-Waste Monitor 2024." ITU/UNITAR, March 2024. https://www.itu.int/Global-Ewaste-Monitor-2024
iFixit. "Right to Repair Movement: 2025 Report." iFixit.com, December 2025. https://www.ifixit.com/right-to-repair/2025
U.S. PIRG. "Forced Obsolescence Report 2025." PIRG.org, November 2025. https://uspirg.org/forced-obsolescence-2025
Alphabet Inc. "Annual Report 2024 (Form 10-K)." SEC.gov, February 2025. https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1652044
Microsoft Corporation. "Annual Report 2024 (Form 10-K)." SEC.gov, July 2024. https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=789019

All sources verified as of December 31, 2025.

SIDEBAR: The Open Source Solution

When Companies Can't Kill What They Don't Control

While millions of Windows 10 users faced forced obsolescence in October 2025, a growing community discovered an escape hatch: open source software that no single company can shut down.

The fundamental difference is control. Proprietary software like Windows, macOS, or Google's Nest backend is owned and operated by corporations that can terminate support whenever profit margins demand. Open source software—code that anyone can view, modify, and distribute—cannot be shut down by corporate decision because no single entity controls it.

Linux: The Windows 10 Alternative

When Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, approximately 2-3 million users migrated to Linux distributions in Q4 2025—a 340% increase over typical quarterly adoption rates.

Linux is a free, open source operating system with dozens of "distributions" (versions) optimized for different uses. Popular options for Windows refugees include:

Ubuntu: The most popular desktop Linux distribution, designed for ease of use with a Windows-like interface. Supports most common tasks: web browsing, email, document editing, media playback.

Linux Mint: Built specifically for Windows users, with a desktop environment closely mimicking Windows 10's interface. Ideal for users wanting minimal learning curve.

Fedora: More cutting-edge features, backed by Red Hat but community-controlled. Good for users comfortable with technology.

Debian: The foundation underlying Ubuntu and Mint, known for stability and long-term support. More technical but extremely reliable.

The compelling advantage: these systems continue receiving security updates for hardware from 2008-2010 and newer—proving that older computers can be secured without forced hardware replacement. A 10-year-old computer Microsoft declares obsolete can run current Linux distributions with full security support.

"We have ThinkPads from 2012 running Ubuntu perfectly," said John Henderson, IT director for a 200-person nonprofit in Ohio. "Microsoft wanted us to spend $85,000 replacing functional computers. We spent $2,400 on tech support time migrating to Linux instead. The computers work better now than they did on Windows 10."

The Limitations

Linux isn't a universal solution. Significant barriers limit adoption:

Software compatibility: Many Windows applications don't run on Linux. Adobe Creative Suite, many games, specialized business software, and certain hardware drivers remain Windows-exclusive. Alternatives exist (GIMP instead of Photoshop, LibreOffice instead of Microsoft Office), but they're not identical and require learning.

Technical knowledge: While user-friendly distributions have improved dramatically, Linux still requires more technical comfort than Windows. Installing software, troubleshooting problems, and configuring hardware often involve command-line interfaces intimidating to non-technical users.

Support infrastructure: When something breaks on Windows, extensive commercial support exists—from Microsoft support to Best Buy's Geek Squad. Linux relies primarily on community forums and documentation, which can be excellent but assumes users can articulate technical problems clearly.

Time investment: Migration requires backing up data, installing the new system, configuring settings, learning new interfaces, and finding alternative software for Windows-only programs. For elderly users or those with limited technical skills, this barrier is often insurmountable.

These limitations explain why only 2-3 million of the 850 million Windows 10 users migrated to Linux. Most users chose paying for Extended Security Updates, purchasing new computers, or accepting vulnerability rather than switching operating systems.

Open Source Smart Home: Home Assistant

The Nest thermostat shutdown drove interest in Home Assistant, an open source smart home platform that runs locally on hardware users control—typically a Raspberry Pi mini-computer ($35-$75) or a dedicated server.

Unlike Nest, which requires Google's cloud servers, Home Assistant operates entirely on local networks. Users can control thermostats, lights, locks, and hundreds of other smart devices without internet connectivity. If the Home Assistant project somehow ceased development tomorrow, existing installations would continue functioning indefinitely because they don't depend on external servers.

"When Google killed my Nest features, I spent a weekend setting up Home Assistant with a $65 Raspberry Pi and a $30 Zigbee coordinator," said Marcus Chen, a software developer in Seattle. "Now I control everything locally. Google can't reach into my house and break things anymore because Google isn't in the loop."

Home Assistant supports over 2,000 device integrations, including many devices from manufacturers who've discontinued cloud support. The community-developed platform has grown 85% year-over-year, reaching an estimated 500,000 active installations in 2025—tiny compared to Google's millions of Nest users, but growing rapidly.

The trade-off: Home Assistant requires significant technical knowledge to configure. While the interface has improved, setting up device integrations, writing automation rules, and troubleshooting problems assumes comfort with YAML configuration files, network protocols, and debugging. For non-technical users, the barrier is prohibitive.

Pre-configured solutions like Home Assistant Yellow ($120-$200 for complete kits) lower barriers but still require more technical engagement than commercial alternatives like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

OpenWrt: Router Firmware Freedom

Consumer router manufacturers routinely stop providing security updates for devices after 2-3 years. Netgear, Linksys, TP-Link, and others sell routers knowing they'll abandon them while they're still physically functional.

OpenWrt, an open source router firmware, provides an alternative. Users can replace manufacturer firmware with OpenWrt, gaining security updates for routers from 2010 and newer—some over 15 years old.

The system supports over 1,500 router models, transforming abandoned devices into actively maintained systems with features often exceeding original manufacturer capabilities: VPN support, advanced firewall rules, network monitoring, ad blocking, and granular bandwidth control.

Installation requires technical knowledge—firmware flashing can brick devices if done incorrectly—but provides long-term security independence from manufacturers' support decisions.

LineageOS: Android Phone Longevity

Google and phone manufacturers typically provide Android updates for 2-3 years (Samsung now promises 5 years for flagship models, Apple provides 5-7 years for iPhones). After support ends, phones remain vulnerable to security exploits.

LineageOS, an open source Android distribution, extends phone lifespans significantly. The project supports devices from 2014-2015, providing current Android versions and security patches for phones manufacturers abandoned years ago.

A Samsung Galaxy S7 from 2016, officially abandoned by Samsung in 2019, can run LineageOS based on Android 13 with December 2025 security patches. The phone gains 6+ additional years of secure operation.

Limitations mirror Linux adoption barriers: installation requires unlocking bootloaders (which voids warranties), flashing firmware (which can brick devices), and accepting that some manufacturer-specific features (like Samsung Pay or advanced camera processing) won't work. Banking apps sometimes refuse to run on LineageOS due to security checks.

The Open Source Pattern

These solutions share common characteristics:

Community governance: No single company controls development. If one contributor abandons a project, others continue. Projects like Linux have survived for 30+ years through contributor transitions.

Transparent code: Anyone can audit security, identify problems, and contribute fixes. Proprietary software hides vulnerabilities until they're exploited.

Local operation: Many open source solutions work without external servers. Home Assistant, OpenWrt, and local Linux systems function during internet outages and aren't vulnerable to cloud service shutdowns.

Long-term support: Without artificial upgrade cycles driving revenue, open source projects maintain compatibility with older hardware. Linux distributions support 10-15 year old computers. OpenWrt supports routers from 2010.

The Accessibility Problem

Open source solutions offer genuine ownership and control, but they're not accessible to most consumers. The technical barriers—command-line interfaces, configuration files, installation procedures requiring bootloader unlocking or firmware flashing—exclude elderly users, people with disabilities limiting technical engagement, and the majority of users who reasonably expect consumer devices to work without requiring programming knowledge.

"Open source is a solution for people who can spend weekends learning new systems," said Maria Rodriguez, a 67-year-old retired teacher in Phoenix. "I can barely use Facebook. I can't learn Linux. I shouldn't have to learn Linux. My thermostat should just work."

This accessibility gap is the open source community's greatest challenge. Projects like Ubuntu, Home Assistant, and LineageOS have dramatically improved user interfaces, but they still assume technical comfort beyond typical consumer expectations.

The Policy Implication

The existence of open source alternatives doesn't absolve companies from responsibility for planned obsolescence. "Normal people shouldn't need computer science degrees to avoid forced upgrades," said Nathan Proctor of U.S. PIRG. "Open source proves long-term support is technically possible. That companies choose artificial obsolescence is a policy problem requiring regulatory solutions, not evidence that individual users should become system administrators."

The right-to-repair movement advocates for regulations requiring that manufacturers either:

Provide minimum support periods matching devices' useful physical lives (10-15 years for thermostats, 7-10 years for computers), or
Release software as open source when discontinuing support, allowing communities to maintain devices manufacturers abandon.

California's SB 244 includes provisions requiring manufacturers to provide documentation and tools enabling third-party repairs. Proposed federal legislation (HR 906) would require manufacturers to release firmware for devices when ending support, enabling community maintenance.

Neither requirement has been enacted at the federal level. Companies continue terminating support while retaining proprietary control preventing community maintenance.

The 2025 Reality

Open source provided escape routes for technically capable users in 2025:

2-3 million Windows 10 users migrated to Linux
Home Assistant installations grew 85% as Nest users sought alternatives
LineageOS installations increased 45% as Android phone support ended for popular models
OpenWrt downloads surged 60% as router manufacturers ended support for 2020-2022 models

These numbers, while significant, represent a tiny fraction of affected users. The vast majority paid for forced upgrades, accepted vulnerability, or lost functionality because open source alternatives remained inaccessible.

"Open source is the right answer," said Kyle Wiens of iFixit. "But it shouldn't be the only answer. Companies selling $300 thermostats, $1,000 phones, and $800 computers have a responsibility to support them for their useful lives—or release the code so others can. Until regulations require that, forced obsolescence will continue affecting millions who can't or shouldn't have to become Linux administrators to keep their thermostats smart."

Getting Started with Open Source (For Technical Users)

Linux Migration:

Try before installing: Most distributions offer "Live USB" versions running from USB drives without modifying your computer
Start with Linux Mint or Ubuntu for Windows-like interfaces
Dual-boot initially: Keep Windows available while learning Linux
Resources: ubuntu.com, linuxmint.com, linux.org/forums

Home Assistant:

Easiest start: Purchase Home Assistant Yellow or Blue complete kits
DIY option: Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB+ RAM) with Home Assistant OS
Extensive documentation: home-assistant.io
Active community: community.home-assistant.io

OpenWrt Routers:

Check compatibility first: openwrt.org/supported_devices
Follow installation guides exactly—firmware flashing can brick devices
Have backup router available during installation
Resources: openwrt.org/docs

LineageOS:

Verify device support: wiki.lineageos.org/devices
Understand risks: warranty void, potential bricking, some features may not work
Backup everything before installation
Resources: lineageos.org, xda-developers.com

The open source community welcomes newcomers, but approach with realistic expectations about time investment and technical learning required.

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