If you look at the blog post, you'll see a very strange reason for deciding not to continue operating the Link which I'm sure will interest most HN readers:
"Q: Why can’t you just patch the product or extend the license?
We made the business decision to end the support and services of the Harmony Link when the encryption certificate expires in the spring of 2018 – we would be acting irresponsibly by continuing the service knowing its potential/future vulnerability. Our system shows this product, which was last sold by Logitech in fall of 2015, had a small active user base. We’re now reaching out to all affected customers to provide an option for replacement."
And
"We understand that services are important to you. Because the certificate that’s expiring relates to security, we would be acting irresponsibly by continuing the service knowing its potential/future vulnerability."
I'm glad that there was enough backlash and attention on this for a happy ending. It's disappointing they handled it so poorly from the start, especially considering how good their cs has been when I've had minor issues in the past.
The cynic in me says “the right thing” was a last resort. “Let’s float a 35% discount first, see if it flies. If it does, we can still make some profit off this. If not, well, pull out our prepared statement and give them a hub. Won’t hurt to try, and if we have to use plan B, we’ll look like we ‘listen to our customers’”.
Sadly, I think it is worse. I see them having gone in with no plan B. I have no doubt, if the internet rage machine didn't go off, Logitech would have continued to be bastards, and only "listened to our customers" in blind panic.
"Q: Why can’t you just patch the product or extend the license?
We made the business decision to end the support and services of the Harmony Link when the encryption certificate expires in the spring of 2018 – we would be acting irresponsibly by continuing the service knowing its potential/future vulnerability. Our system shows this product, which was last sold by Logitech in fall of 2015, had a small active user base. We’re now reaching out to all affected customers to provide an option for replacement."
And
"We understand that services are important to you. Because the certificate that’s expiring relates to security, we would be acting irresponsibly by continuing the service knowing its potential/future vulnerability."