[skybrian]

It's not e-waste unless for some reason you want to throw out a working thermostat just because it doesn't have network access.

[emodendroket]

Probably for the same reason you bought one in the first place rather than using the cheap one that your home already had.

[skybrian]

Wasn't our decision. At least it looks nice.

[emodendroket]

I see. That might be why you're having trouble understanding why someone would be upset to have spent the money for extra features, only to have them remotely disabled so that it was exactly the same as the item they'd replaced.