ReadyNAS OS 6.10.10 released

The ability to install apps was already crippled by the archival of Debian Jessie.  Getting around that (prior to 6.10.10) required adding a statement to apt.conf to allow unauthenticated sources.  That has some security risk, though I believe it is acceptable for my home use.

But Netgear has to worry about liability, and making that a part of an official update could create some liability, so I'm not surprised they didn't do it.  What they did instead is that, instead of a app install simply not working (without the necessary change), it now informs the user that it's not allowed.

As for ReadyCloud, that required active maintenance of a server on their part.  And since it was a free service, there is no longer a train of new NAS sales to fund it.  Likewise, a limited chain of new sales wouldn't leave a lot of money to develop a total OS overhaul, which was sadly needed if they were to stay in the market.

As for driving users to another NAS.   Well, maybe they are also doing that -- driving us to one that they'll not have to support.

IMHO, Netgear made some poor decisions in failing to keep with the times on their NAS line and, I suspect, likely underestimated how long before refreshes most users would go.  Whether they'd already made the decision before COVID to drop from the market or if COVID supply chain and employee issues were the final nails in the coffin, I can't say.  But COVID was definitely a contributor to clearing out remaining stock as small businesses looked for work-from-home solutions, thus accelerating the process.  Once the decision was made to leave the market, the rest of their actions all make sense with the exception that they are driving potential customers from their entire business due to the bad taste left in customer's mouths from this latest abandonment.

FWIW, if the original ReadyNAS had been a Netgear product, I never would have bought one.  But I bought an Infrant unit -- from a small company with owners who had real stock in the company and provided exceptional support.  By the time Netgear bought Infrant, I was into ReadyNAS to a point I didn't feel like jumping to another ship.  And, BTW, I have never purchased a new Netgear-branded ReadyNAS.  All Netgear branded ones I have were purchased used.

Please note I am not trying to justify Netgear's actions, even though I can understand some of their (poor) thinking behind them.