Skip to main content

Nest considers compensating owners of the soon-to-be defunct Revolv

nest revolv compensation flash link 1500x1000
Generally speaking, it’s sensible — strategic even — to be an early adopter. If nothing else, who doesn’t love saying, “I knew about that before it was cool”? Answer: owners of Revolv, the over-priced hockey puck that was once a part of the Internet of Things, but is now being shut down by parent company Nest. Now, in an attempt to appease angry Revolv owners, Nest (which bought the company back in 2014) is now considering compensating consumers “on a case-by-case basis.”

Revolv owners, we're here to help. Please get in touch so we can find the best solution for your needs: help@revolv.com

— Google Nest Support (@googlenesthelp) April 5, 2016

In a statement given to the Verge, a Nest spokesperson said, “We’ve been working with the small number of Revolv customers on a case-by-case basis since we sent out the first customer notification in February to determine the best resolution, including compensation.” But this rather ambiguous statement doesn’t reveal much about the nature of the compensation — will it be the full price of the Revolv hub? Some sort of recognition for wasted time? Another type of smart home system? Nobody knows.

Of course, it’s no great surprise that customers are none too pleased with Nest’s decision, especially given that Revolv once guaranteed a “lifetime subscription” with the sale of its hub, which meant that the device would be constantly updated “for the lifetime of the product” to ensure continuous, seamless activations. Needless to say, the company has reneged on this promise, and users have certainly noticed.

In a post on Medium, Revolv customer and CEO of medical app company Televero, Arlo Gilbert, noted that the end of Revolv would mean that “[his] landscape lighting will stop turning on and off, [his] security lights will stop reacting to motion, and [his] homemade vacation burglar deterrent will stop working.” He asked, “Is the era of IoT [Internet of Things] bringing an end to the concept of ownership? Are we just buying intentionally temporary hardware?”

While Nest and Revolv may not have an answer to that particular hard-hitting question, customers are encouraged to contact customer support at help@revolv.com for more information on the compensation piece of the puzzle, and hopefully, be made to feel slightly less ripped off in general.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
Nest Doorbell vs. Ring Battery Doorbell Plus: which is the better video doorbell?
The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus installed outside a front door.

Ring and Nest are responsible for some of the best video doorbells available. With easy-to-use smartphone apps, simple installation processes, and the ability to customize your motion alerts, the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Nest Doorbell have quickly established themselves as two of the best video doorbells money can buy.

But what exactly is the difference between these two popular gadgets? And which is better for your smart home?

Read more
The best Apple HomeKit devices for 2023
A person unlocking the Aqara U100 smart lock with their phone.

While not as widespread as Google Home or Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit remains one of the most popular smart home ecosystems of 2023. The software plays well with iOS devices, and several other gadgets such as smart lights, smart locks, thermostats, and cameras can be controlled using the fancy technology. If you’re looking to build your smart home around Apple’s ecosystem, here are the best HomeKit devices available today.
Locks

HomeKit doesn’t have the largest selection of smart locks, but that doesn’t really matter when you have something as well-rounded as the Aqara Smart Lock U100. Not only does it offer full HomeKit support, but you’ll even gain access to Apple home keys -- allowing you to unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch. There’s also the standard keypad for entering a passcode, along with a fingerprint sensor that can store several dozen fingerprints (so your whole family can enter the home without worrying about forgetting their password or smartphone).

Read more
Secure your home with Ring Floodlight Cam Plus and save $80
Ring Floodlight Camera placed on a wall outside.

Best Buy has one of the best security camera deals at the moment with $80 off the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Outdoor Wired Surveillance Camera. Usually priced at $200, it's down to $120 for a limited time only so if you're fast enough, you'll save a lot of cash. If you're looking to secure your home, keep reading while we tell you all about the advantages this security camera offers.

Why you should buy the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus
Considered to be one of the best floodlight cameras for someone seeking a hard-wired solution, the Ring Floodlight Cam Plus Outdoor Wired Surveillance Camera is a highly effective home security measure.

Read more