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Best Buy discontinuation of Insignia Connect
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On November 6, 2019, Best Buy discontinued support for its Insignia Connect app.[1] This resulted in major functionality losses for affected Insignia products that used the service.
Background[edit | edit source]
Insignia is a private label brand that Best Buy uses to stock its own items alongside name-brands within its stores.[2]
Affected products[1][edit | edit source]
| Product | Model | Affected Functionality[3][citation needed ] |
|---|---|---|
| Insignia - Wi-Fi Smart Plug | NS-SP1X7[4] | Plug can no longer be toggled on or off remotely with the use of an app. Existing timers that were already set on the plug will continue to function, but are no longer able to be altered. |
| Insignia - Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Power Metering capability | NS-SP1XM8[5] | Plug can no longer be toggled on or off remotely with the use of an app. Existing timers that were already set on the plug will continue to function, but are no longer able to be altered. Users also have no method to view the power metering statistics that the plug provides. |
| Insignia - Wi-Fi Smart In-Wall Light Switch | NS-CH1XIS8[6] | Switch can no longer be toggled on or off remotely with the use of an app. |
| Insignia - 720p Wi-Fi Camera | NS-CH1IPC8[7] | "[A]ffected products will still function at a basic level, but any features that rely on its Insignia Connect app and platform will no longer work."[3] |
| Insignia WiFi Freezers | [citation needed ] | "[A]ffected products will still function at a basic level, but any features that rely on its Insignia Connect app and platform will no longer work."[3] |
Consumer harm[edit | edit source]
Compensation with a catch[edit | edit source]
Best Buy did provide compensation to customers affected by the discontinuation, however, this was only in the form of a partial refund in the form of a virtual gift card that was determined by the product type.[8][1] Customers were also only able to redeem up to 10 serial numbers for product refunds, even if they owned more affected products.[3][8] Refunds for affected products has since ceased, as the window to apply for compensation only lasted for 56 days after the discontinuation date.[9]
Harm to consumer ownership[edit | edit source]
Generation of E-waste[edit | edit source]
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Insignia. "Insignia Connect Product Validation Site." November 5, 2019.
- ↑ Best Buy. "Best Buy Brands."
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Statt, Nick. "Best Buy is leaving smart home users in the cold, but its Wi-Fi freezer will still mostly work." The Verge, September 6, 2019.
- ↑ Best Buy. "Insignia™ - Wi-Fi Smart Plug - White."
- ↑ Best Buy. "Insignia™ - Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Power Metering capability - White."
- ↑ Best Buy. "Insignia™ - Wi-Fi Smart In-Wall Light Switch - White."
- ↑ Best Buy. "Insignia™ - 720p Wi-Fi Camera - White."
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Insgnia. "FAQ." December 12, 2019.
- ↑ Insignia. "Insignia Connect Product Validation Site." November 9, 2019.