MINDSTORMS RI app going away June 1

[Jetro]

My MINDSTORMS RI app displays the following notice:

I have had some unfortunate experiences with LEGO pulling app and literally removing them from my Android device, but since this is on the laptop I suspect it will stay there.

Nevertheless I really don't get why LEGO is not making provisions (as it did with the NXT and EV3 apps to ensure it can still be downloaded. The unfortunate side effect of having this app in the Microsoft Store is that the isn't a single .exe that you can save somewhere for future reference. Add to that that much of the value of the app is in the additional downloads which even now don't work anymore!?!

I've been in touch with LEGO Customer Service, and they have assured me this download glitch will be fixed, but that is a very short term solution and the app is still going away. Ideally I'd like to have an option to download an installer with all the additional content included. I accept that that will be an app with no support or warranty - that's fine, but at least we still have access to something. Moving to the Spike app is not really an option as the programs made in the RI app are not compatible with the Spike app 

Since LEGO only appears to listen when fans make a LOT of noise, maybe you can take a moment to let them know how you feel about this. 

The direct email for Customer Service is: hello@support.lego.com

Some things you can tell / ask them:

- does this mean the app will disappear from my computer? (it won't )

- I cannot use my existing programs with the Spike app because they are not compatible.

- if I use the Spike app how can I use the custom blocks that are necessary for the models in the set?

- Will you make sure the app stays available through some other channel than the Microsoft Store?

- Will you make sure the additional downloadable content will be included in the app after June 1

- will you provide guidance to recreate the custom blocks that are necessary for the models in the app to work?

- any other worries and misgivings you have

 

Please take a moment to make some noise. Thanks!!

[Paul B Technic]

This why why I like to keep my work (IT) and my hobby separate.... I would love LEGO to just focus on the bricks and not do anything that requires apps for another device to be supported in to the future.

[COPERNICON]

at least pybricks is still an option, it sucks so bad that lego just doesnt care to future proof its products

[aFrInaTi0n]

1 hour ago, Paul B Technic said:

This why why I like to keep my work (IT) and my hobby separate.... I would love LEGO to just focus on the bricks and not do anything that requires apps for another device to be supported in to the future.

OR just some application lifecycle management may be scoped for their IT products.. which may allow transitions into deprecated modes as over the expected lifetime of any application that may be a wise thought in the beginning of how the journey may end - with such "retirement" of an application may be no big issue... :)

----

What may be of interest is the EU initiative "Stop Destroying Videogames" (Commission registration number: ECI(2024)000007) - as it may / could have effects to LEGO and their digital products as well...

Linkie: https://citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/details/2024/000007_en

Even as the initiative is mainly about videogames, my hopes are that may have effects for similar fields as well - finally leading to LEGO to take care of allowing their old software stacks to be still available for everybody.