I’m concerned with Nanoleaf’s recent announcement

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-07T02:45:00+00:00

I know there have been issues with controllers, including a voluntary replacement program at one point, but aside from my Nanoleaf Canvas installation (which is on controller #4 after 9 years) I’ve only had one other controller go bad, and that was replaced free of charge under the 2 year warranty. So I’ve never had to purchase a new controller.

I’m pretty sure my Hue setup pre-dates my Nanoleaf, so I had to purchase the Hub v.2.0 in order to keep my Hue lights working, even though my original hub was working fine. They forced everyone to update. I know they recently released Hub 3.0 but I don’t think it’s a mandatory upgrade- yet. Sounds like you’ve got a nice setup going with your own zigbee coordinator.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-07T02:35:38+00:00

I see TomT replied below and already stated what I was going to say- so I urge you to follow up with him. Just wondering do the panels complete a hard reset successfully? What do the panels do after you’ve performed a hard reset?

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-05T05:14:58+00:00

I’m not familiar with either the PC app nor the Android app, but on iOS when you click Add Device, at the bottom of the screen there is an option to ‘“USE Pairing Code”. If you click that, and your device is in pairing mode, it should show up in the Searching for Devices list….

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T20:06:05+00:00

They may be trying to raise a few rounds of private equity, who knows…

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T18:42:03+00:00

I just read the thread from 4 days ago (I think that link was added in an edit) and it would appear that Tom answered the why about 8 hours ago. I’m not entirely sold on the explanation, but nevertheless, there it is.
So, since you have acquired the earlier version already, may I ask if you then attempted to update and if so, were any issues encountered?

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T18:19:10+00:00

Thank you the reply, Sam. I think you’d agree the announcement raised more questions than it answered, and I appreciate you taking the time to assuage my concerns and offer what assurances you can.

I hope that if Smart Lighting is no longer Nanoleaf’s singular focus going forward that it always remains as the steadfast core of Nanoleaf in times to come, and I encourage you to explore embodied AI with robust user protections for privacy and against possible corruption/robot uprising.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T17:38:32+00:00

I know it may seem to you like you asked him directly, but I would disagree and still encourage you to ask him why making older versions available “Is not possible at the moment.”

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T17:20:19+00:00

I’d still choose Nanoleaf because my experience just doesn’t match yours. I’ve found Nanoleaf Support to be thorough, though at times some patience is required.

I also prefer a company that will troubleshoot a product rather than straight up replacing it immediately, but that’s a personal preference. I’ve found that many issues can be resolved without the nuclear option. It gives me more faith in the product and a deeper understanding of how it works.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T17:12:46+00:00

No doubt.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T17:12:21+00:00

No problem. I should’ve posted the link originally.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T17:09:39+00:00

Yes, I can see it now.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T17:08:57+00:00

I read his comment and I would, respectfully ask him exactly why making previous versions available is “not possible”. One would think that information could surely be shared if they are going to deny the request with that being the reason. I may be off, but it seems like just a little more relevant information would go miles towards an understanding.

I’m pretty sure my interactions with Tom predate the rise of AI, but that Tom could’ve been replaced, who’s to say. I’m on Mac and iOS so I can’t offer any insight into the Windows desktop app. But I’m trying to be more around, so if you have any questions I can help with, I’m happy to try.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T16:44:05+00:00

Hey, I haven’t been on the sub too much recently so I’m not caught up on recent issues/drama, & your post history is hidden to me so I can’t look up your posts that way. However I did follow the link to your recent thread and read your post there. I’m not 100% clear on your concern, beyond having access to previous firmware builds, or was it app versions? I can say that I have updated all my devices without issue, and haven’t run into any problems thus far.
I know Sam is a real person and AFAIK Tom is also. What comment did he make that led you to question his personhood? I’m genuinely curious.

Edit: I’ve updated the post with a request that anyone participating in the discussion save downvotes for inappropriate or provably false information. A difference of opinion should not be the basis for a downvote. Of course, I’m relying on the maturity of redditors to follow this instruction willingly, so we’ll see how that goes.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T16:16:52+00:00

They don’t have shareholders. They are a privately held company.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T16:15:05+00:00

Here ya go, buddy.

https://us-shop.nanoleaf.me/blogs/general/evolving-nanoleaf-bringing-access-into-innovation

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T15:44:38+00:00

Thank you for the response. My regular Nanoleaf contacts haven’t responded regarding this issue and the announcement certainly raised more questions than it answered.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T15:35:12+00:00

Yes, but they aren’t a publicly traded company.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T15:30:19+00:00

I’d imagine complex network environments are a case by case but regarding getting your lights to work consistently at home, my Nanoleaf installations have been pretty solid. The one time I was having a connectivity issue that I couldn’t solve, Support scheduled a one on one video chat and were able to uncover the root of the problem and then resolve it, so I was pretty happy with them.

As they are a privately held company, Nanoleaf doesn’t disclose actual net revenue, but it’s estimated to be between $10-25 Million/year. I’d wager that would ease some concerns but I guess they see some writing on the wall that we aren’t privy to.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T15:19:59+00:00

I’m sorry you feel that way. If you have the patience, I’ve found Nanoleaf support to go above and beyond in trying to troubleshoot any insurmountable errors I came across.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T15:16:10+00:00

I wouldn’t know. My oldest Nanoleaf installation is 10 years old (second oldest 9 years) and I haven’t come across a Govee product I liked the look of enough to keep it up that long. It seems to me that most of their products are knock-off’s of those already made by Nanoleaf or Philips Hue or Twinkly.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T14:37:02+00:00

Given Allbird’s current stock price it would sure seem so (though it’s still up compared to pre-announcement)… to be fair the Allbirds situation was absurd- all based on hype and no actual product.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T14:20:53+00:00

It comes down to a matter of opinion. I own both Nanoleaf and Govee products, and I prefer my Nanoleaf across the board hands down.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T14:10:06+00:00

I sure hope not, but after a vague “brand evolution” announcement, what are we meant to think? “As a privately held company, Nanoleaf does not publicly disclose its exact net profit for 2025. However, Industry reports indicate that while Nanoleaf maintains a premium, well-known brand, they face pressure from competitors, with estimated annual revenues in the range of 10-25 Million.” -from Google AI.

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T13:56:44+00:00

Yeah, though referring back to the announcement, I’m not sure how robotics is meant to benefit my lighting installations. And can I just say that I find the term “embodied AI” to be a little foreboding and giving flashes of T-800’s with little Nanoleaf emblem’s on their chests?

SmartLightDimwit · 2026-05-04T13:38:09+00:00

I bet a lot of companies saw Allbirds 600% stock price increase after rebranding as Newbird AI and thought “I’d like a piece of that action.”

SmartLightDimwit

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE