The ads aren't mandatory. At any time, you can use the information provided by them to make your own control panel and not have the device interact with their network. You also can skip paying for the base device too and take their hardware plans to build your own.

The ads help pay for the network service. Now, it would be nice if they did offer tiered service, like a free ad supported network like they have now, and a $3 a month or something ad free subscription.

For my use at work, the cost of the hardware is proving to be an excellent deal for what we get out of it. When we are done it won't be tied into the Chumby network, so the ads won't ever be seen.