6<\/p>\n Some Nest Learning Thermostat models are losing support \u2013 and that means they won’t work with the app anymoreCredit: Google 6<\/p>\n Google Stadia fans are running out of time to stop their controllers from becoming useless bricksCredit: Google<\/p>\n Here are some of the biggest gadgets going dark (totally or partially) in your home this year.<\/p>\n Nest Thermostats<\/p>\n Nest Thermostats are “smart” gadgets that let you control your heating at home \u2013 only they’re about to become much less smart<\/a>.<\/p>\n Google<\/a>, which owns Nest, is ending support for three models:<\/p>\n These models won’t get updates, and will no longer work with the Nest or Google<\/a> Home apps<\/a>.<\/p>\n That means you won’t be able to control them remotely via an app or Google Assistant. They’ll just become boring old physical thermostats.<\/p>\n It all goes dark on October 25 this year.<\/p>\n Google Stadia controller<\/p>\n Back in 2019, Google launched a service called Stadia that let you play video games<\/a> by streaming them over the internet \u2013 removing the need for a console.<\/p>\n The service was ultimately doomed and killed off in January 2023<\/a>, and Google released an online tool<\/a> that would convert your Stadia game controller into a regular Bluetooth joypad.<\/p>\n Now that online tool is due to be killed off on December 31, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n Early Skype ads reveal the \u2018magic\u2019 of app as Microsoft vows to shut it down forever<\/p>\n That means if you don’t update your controller to become a generic joypad by then, it’s effectively just an expensive brick. Sorry.<\/p>\n Computers (Windows 10)<\/p>\n Microsoft<\/a>‘s latest software for your computer is Windows 11<\/a>. It launched in 2021 and is now widely used.<\/p>\n But millions of PCs will still be running Windows 10. Bad news: it’s going the way of the dodo.<\/p>\n On October 14, 2025, Microsoft will end software updates, technical assistance, and security fixes for Windows 10.<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n It’s all over for Windows 10 \u2013 and that’s bad news for anyone still using itCredit: Microsoft<\/p>\n That means not only do you lose the ability to access new features or tech help, it’ll also become increasingly dangerous to use.<\/p>\n If Microsoft won’t patch bugs, hackers can openly exploit them \u2013 and target you.<\/p>\n So if you’re using a laptop or computer running Windows 10, it’s better to upgrade ahead of the deadline. Your private files and bank account aren’t worth the risk.<\/p>\n Smartphones (LG)<\/p>\n It wasn’t so long ago that South Korean tech giant LG was a titan of the phone industry.<\/p>\n But in 2021, LG announced that it was putting a stopper on its smartphone efforts.<\/p>\n Now LG is getting ready to finally shut off its update servers<\/a> on June 30, 2025.<\/p>\n Once that’s done, you’ll no longer be able to download and install any Android<\/a> updates.<\/p>\n That doesn’t just mean you’ll miss out on features, but important security updates too.<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n A number of popular LG smartphones will be affected \u2013 so don’t wait to actCredit: Getty<\/p>\n And those un-fixed security loopholes can then be used by crooks to target you \u2013 and make you a victim.<\/p>\n “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude towards our customers who have loved and supported LG Electronics<\/a> mobile products,” LG said.<\/p>\n “After the termination date, you will no longer be able to use the software upgrade services.<\/p>\n “If you wish to use the services, we strongly recommend upgrading your software before June 30, 2025.<\/p>\n “Furthermore, as we will no longer provide application updates, you will not be able to download default applications deleted upon initialisation.”<\/p>\n Unless you’re deeply attached to it, you’re better off just buying a new phone that can still receive updates.<\/p>\n Skype app<\/p>\n Legendary chat app Skype is also set to be sunsetted \u2013 and imminently.<\/p>\n In fact, Microsoft plans to kill it on May 5, 2025, ending a nearly-22-year-long run.<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n Skype’s legendary text, audio and video chatting app is about to log off for the last time<\/p>\n The app will stop working, but your Skype account won’t be closed down immediately.<\/p>\n Instead you’ll be able to sign into Microsoft Teams using your Skype account.<\/p>\n Or you can save your old contacts and chats by exporting them from Skype.<\/p>\n Back in 2010, around 660 million people were using Skype each month \u2013 but that fell to 100 million by March 2020.<\/p>\n SKYPE \u2013 WHERE DID IT GET ITS NAME?<\/p>\n Have you ever wondered what Skype actually means?<\/p>\n Skype is now a household name, but most people never question how the app got its name.<\/p>\n It turns out that Skype is a shortening of the term “Sky peer-to-peer”.<\/p>\n That’s because Skype was an early pioneer of peer-to-peer calling, which meant that users would correct directly to each other \u2013 rather than via a server.<\/p>\n This was then shortened to the name Skyper.<\/p>\n Sadly some of the domain names for Skyper had already been snapped up.<\/p>\n So the app’s creators decided to ditch the final “r” in the name \u2013 leaving us with Skype.<\/p>\n Picture Credit: Microsoft \/ Skype<\/p>\n Microsoft stopped posting on its Skype blog in May 2024, and the death of the app was announced back in February<\/a>.<\/p>\n It faced tough competition from the likes of Zoom, Google Meet, Apple<\/a>‘s FaceTime, and Meta<\/a>‘s Facebook<\/a> Messenger.<\/p>\n iPhone (vintage)<\/p>\n Apple added another iPhone to its “vintage” list<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n Once at least five years has passed since a gadget was last sold, Apple may declare the device “vintage”.<\/p>\n 6<\/p>\n The iPhone 6S was one of 2015’s hottest gadgetsCredit: Apple<\/p>\n Then after another two years, it’ll can be demoted to “obsolete”.<\/p>\n![\"Nest](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/e03d76e5-0dc8-4de6-8dd2-55a55d476c6c_43a88d.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Screenshot\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/stadia-joypad.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\n
![\"Laptop](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/windows-11.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Person](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/congress-woman-testing-new-lg-991245588.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Skype](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/skype-contacts.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/skype-comp_700d73.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Silver](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/111952_SP726-iphone6s-gray-select-2015.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n