Logitech Says Harmony Link to Be Discontinued in March, Points Users to Harmony Hub

Users have started criticising Logitech as the company has formally announced the discontinuation of the Harmony Link. The universal hub that was launched back in 2011 will completely stop working in March as a result of the new decision. However, existing users who own a Harmony Link under warranty have been offered a free upgrade to the Harmony Hub that was debuted in 2014.

The USP of Logitech's Harmony Link was to let users transform their iPhone and Android devices into universal remotes and control their media systems right through its cloud-based, companion app. The device communicates with mobile handsets using a Wi-Fi network and sends IR signals to compatible systems to enable changing of channels, volumes , and other functions remotely.

For early Harmony Link users, Logitech is offering a 35 percent discount on the purchase of a Hub from its official stores. The Harmony Hub is priced at $99 and includes integration with Amazon's Alexa assistant.

It appears that the users aren't pleased with the replacement offer and unhappy about having to abandon the Harmony Link. Some of them reached Logitech support forums and Reddit to express their dissatisfaction.

A Logitech employee highlights the expiry of a "technology certificate license" as the cause of the discontinuation in a response post. "I understand some of you have Harmony Links that are working perfectly fine right now. However, there is a technology certificate license that will expire next March. The certificate will not be renewed as we are focusing resources on our current app-based remote, the Harmony Hub," the employee with username Logi_WillWong responded.

In a statement to Ars Technica, a Logitech representative confirmed the discontinuation and stated that it was first communicated to Harmony Link owners in August. "We've refocused development resources on newer technologies, and therefore, we are not updating the Harmony Link certificate. We first communicated to affected customers in August 2017 that we are offering a free Harmony Hub to replace a Link (if within warranty) or a discount on the Harmony Hub (if out-of-warranty)," the representative noted.