I agree there isn't much incentive, and this is where standardised local protocols like ZigBee, Z-Wave etc come in; I can buy the hardware I want and run it how I want and those who want simplicity can buy a local hub, which can cover the cost of the hosted servers I have no interest in.
Failing that, I'd settle for manufacturers adding an option in their app of wherever suitable, that will let me change the server URL and leave me to it, I'll reverse engineer then protocol, or if they're feeling generous they can open source or provide an API doc.
Unfortunately, my experience reverse engineering lots of devices over the years is that they're often sharing more than they should, and subsidising the devices they sell you with your data.
There is also an overwhelming number of hardware manufacturers who just have piss poor software with atrocious security who should probably be embarrassed to release their code.
We already know what it's like in home WiFi router world.
Failing that, I'd settle for manufacturers adding an option in their app of wherever suitable, that will let me change the server URL and leave me to it, I'll reverse engineer then protocol, or if they're feeling generous they can open source or provide an API doc.
Unfortunately, my experience reverse engineering lots of devices over the years is that they're often sharing more than they should, and subsidising the devices they sell you with your data.
There is also an overwhelming number of hardware manufacturers who just have piss poor software with atrocious security who should probably be embarrassed to release their code.
We already know what it's like in home WiFi router world.