Agree that you shoudn't be buying gadgets that rely on someone elses servers. If you are buying a gadget+service, it makes more sense to subscribe to the service and have the gadget on loan. At least when the service provider dies you can just sign up to another, and get a new gadget (e.g. how cable modems used to work).

The problem with the user setting up his own boxes is that I absolutely will not be bothered with updating the machines. So until there is a solution that lets me have internet connected machines at home that require no maintenance no matter how many years they run, then I'm out of luck.