Logitech’s $100 Pop Buttons Will Stop Working on Oct. 15
▼ Summary
– Logitech will permanently disable all Pop smart home switches on October 15, 2025, rendering them non-functional.
– The Pop switches, launched in 2016, allowed users to control third-party smart devices like Philips Hue lights and Sonos speakers via Wi-Fi.
– Affected customers received a 15% discount coupon valid only in the US until March 2026, with numerous product exclusions.
– Logitech cited evolving technology as the reason for ending support after nearly a decade of maintaining the Pop ecosystem.
– The company did not address concerns about e-waste, the short notice period, or potential local functionality after shutdown.
For early adopters of smart home technology, the announcement from Logitech that its Pop switches will cease functioning on October 15, 2025, marks another frustrating instance of planned obsolescence. These once-promising gadgets, which originally retailed for $100 per starter pack, will transform into electronic waste overnight, leaving users with non-functional hardware and raising questions about product longevity in the connected device market.
Introduced back in August 2016, Logitech’s Pop switches offered a streamlined way to trigger various smart home routines. Owners could program each button with up to three distinct actions, enabling one-touch control over compatible third-party devices. This included adjusting Philips Hue or Insteon lighting scenes, starting a specific Sonos playlist, or operating Lutron smart window shades. The system functioned by identifying gadgets on the same Wi-Fi network and was managed through a dedicated mobile application available for both Android and iOS platforms. Alongside the $100 starter kit, additional Pop Add-on Home Switches were sold individually for $40.
A company representative confirmed to Ars Technica that notification emails went out to customers on September 29, informing them of the impending shutdown. Copies of these messages shared on Reddit quote Logitech’s official statement: “As of October 15, 2025, your POP button(s) and the connected hub will no longer be supported and will lose all functionality.” This abrupt discontinuation gives users less than a month to find alternatives for their automated setups.
As a form of compensation, Logitech is providing affected customers with a coupon for 15 percent off select products from its lineup. This discount applies to items like Ultimate Ears speakers but comes with significant restrictions. The offer is valid only in the United States until March 31, 2026, and explicitly excludes Pro or RS racing wheels, videoconferencing equipment, the Logitech for Business series, and any newly released products. Many users have expressed dissatisfaction with this gesture, viewing it as insufficient given the total loss of their Pop devices.
When questioned about environmental concerns related to e-waste, the short advance notice provided to customers, or the possibility of local functionality continuing after server support ends, Logitech’s spokesperson did not offer any clarification. Instead, the company reiterated the reasoning shared in its customer email: “For close to a decade we have been maintaining the POP ecosystem, but as technology evolves, we have made the decision to end support for this device.” This response highlights the challenges consumers face when investing in proprietary smart home ecosystems that depend entirely on ongoing manufacturer support.
(Source: Ars Technica)
