Yes, when the descaling light is blinking, the machine is blocked. It can only be unblocked by pressing buttons 20 and 18 at the same time for at least 3 seconds to unlock the machine and allow the now mandatory descaling function to start. But I guess you worked that out :)
The BCC12 is being phased in as a replacement for the BCC02 series. The BCC12 uses slightly less power, and there is a difference in the grinding mechanism. Galaxus prices are based on supply/demand, which is why different colours can vary in price so much. In terms of manufacturer prices, there is no difference between any of them.
According to the manufacturer, the difference lies in the aesthetics. The Smeg BCC12BLMEU has an adjustable coffee grind and a larger cup tray than the Smeg BCC02BLMEU. The price is current. Our prices are determined by various factors.
We actually have higher procurement costs for this colour than for the others. In addition, the market price for this article is also considerably higher than for the other colours, which our system automatically takes into account.