Nest, a home automation company that designs and manufacturers programmable thermostats and smoke detectors, has announced that it is no longer supporting the Revolv smart hub as of May 2015. The move could have wider implications for the growing Internet of Things and smart home devices. Cesare Garlati, Chief Security Strategist for prpl Foundation comments:
"The recent news that NEST has shut down leaving Revolv home IoT hub users with a useless device highlights a few key problems with this kind cloud dependent "IoT home hub.
1). Consumers should not buy into IoT that is dependent on the cloud as a middle man. The device, to have true benefit to the consumer, needs to ensure that consumers are in control and not reliant on another service- in other words consumers want to pay for what they own.
2). Privacy is affected when the cloud is introduced. Not only does the provider have access to (and sell) your data, whether it's location, what time of day you're turning your heating up- basically any of the information you are sending to the cloud - but you're also paying the provider for the 'privilege'.
3). Having a device rendered useless because of a shut down in cloud service highlights the need for open standards in IoT devices. This will mean users aren't locked into a provider and gives the consumer more control over the way in which they can use the device."