Google ended support in October 2025 for three older Nest Learning Thermostats: the first-generation model from 2011, the second-generation model from 2012, and its European version from 2014. Although the devices still control heating and cooling locally, losing access to Google’s cloud services removed the features that made them smart: app-based monitoring and remote adjustments, phone notifications, voice control, and integrations with Nest Protect and third-party assistants. Home/Away Assist, shared Eco Mode, and emergency shutoff also stopped working. Owners can still change temperatures, choose operating modes, and set schedules directly on the thermostat, but cannot manage it through Google Home or the Nest app. Google gave advance notice and offered upgrade discounts; the shutdown followed more than a decade of support.
An open-source project called No Longer Evil, created by Cody Kociemba, offers a way to restore remote control and other internet-connected features. Owners can install new firmware and use the project’s hosted servers with a free account, or run the service themselves through a Home Assistant add-on or a custom server. The project restores functions such as remote adjustments, scheduling, and automatic Away detection, giving the discontinued devices a possible second life. Newer Nest models, including the third- and fourth-generation Learning Thermostats and the Thermostat E, were not affected by this cutoff. The shutdown nevertheless shows that cloud-dependent features can disappear even when the hardware remains functional.
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More than 300 Boston Dynamics employees urged executives to stop a deal supplying ICE with modified robot dogs, citing risks to the company and its workers. Executives stood by the sale, saying the robots would not be weaponized. (arstechnica.com)
Micron Taiwan’s new labor agreement raises pay for more than 80% of employees, with production workers’ annual salaries increasing from NT$630,000 to over NT$2 million. It also boosts employer pension contributions to 10% and triples day-shift allowances for production workers. (ec.ltn.com.tw)
Boston Dynamics employees petitioned the company to cancel a $1.3 million ICE contract for four Spot robot dogs and related technology. ICE says the robots will help assess dangerous scenes before agents enter, while workers argue the sale damages the company’s reputation. (wbur.org)
Linux 7.4 adds initial support for Apple’s M4 and A18 Pro chips, enough to boot and display a console, while most hardware features remain unsupported. The kernel also adds support for Google Tensor G5, Qualcomm chips and boards, and Valve’s Steam Frame headset. (phoronix.com)
AI coding tools are making it easier for hobbyists to modify smart TVs and revive abandoned gadgets, including removing ads and replacing outdated interfaces. These changes can improve old devices but also introduce security and reliability risks. (zdnet.com)
Intel agreed to acquire quantum software company Classiq, combining its synthesis platform with Intel’s spin-qubit hardware and software. The deal aims to create an accessible, full-stack quantum computing platform that can scale toward mainstream use. (intc.com)
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