As I add more devices to my two HA instances (home and shop) I'm finding myself wondering more and more about device abandonment. For example "What if these 8 contact sensors I just bought, paired and added to integrations are abandoned by the manufacturer in 6 years?". I sometimes consider using more hardwired sensors and switches as those can't be abandoned. How frequent is it a problem that a manufacturer stops releasing firmware updates and then the devices are effectively rendered useless? I try to stick with reputable brands (Lutron, Zooz, Ring), but still... we've all seen big brands abandon products. I'm not on-board with ESP32, not for lack of interest, but it's a little too DIY for the amount of time I have available.
#Z-Wave device abandonment - a real problem or not?
abstract mortar
rich badger
You'll likely have no need to ever update the firmware in any zwave device, especially simple contact sensors
And if they work now, they'll continue to work. It doesn't matter if the company implodes
That's sorta the point of local protocols like zwave and Zigbee
abstract mortar
That's sorta the point of local protocols like zwave and Zigbee
I agree and that's a big part of why I chose Z-wave. I suppose your earlier comment is what I wanted to hear. I would hope they would just work as long as they're electronically viable. And I'm sure the protocol tries really hard not to introduce breaking changes
rich badger
I can't imagine it will ever do that. And open source protocols will find a way to continue supoort