I mean, it used to only Apple products. But now Windows is trying to force an online activation (I know theres a bypass CMD command, but still… they could remove it in the future).
Android phones, while do no require “Activation” are arealy trying to nudge you into connecting to the internet and making an account.
Some OEMs are trying to get you to make an account with them.
I could see a future where some OEMs are starting for force you to go online before the device can be used, or just outright done for every Android device if its Google wanting that to happen.
The most popular Drone manufacturer, DJI, requires online activation. Same with the second leading one, Autel. (Cheaper brands don’t require them, but those drones suck).
If you want to install a security cameras, most of them will require an app 🤮 (they do know that web-browser interface, such as 192.168.1.1 for routers, exists, right? they could just set up a similar thing for those cameras… oh yea thats right, they want to harvest data, thats why the app). And some, especially those “Ring” types, require an account (I haven’t used them, correct me if I’m wrong).
How long before everything is “CONNECT YOUR WIFI” or “DOWNLOAD THE APP”.
Like what next? Do car makers just get rid of the fob all together and be like “DOWNLOAD APP” and use that to open doors and ignition? House door being “Use the App to unlock door”?
🤔
(Are be going towards a technological dystopia?)
🤔🤔🤔
(Oh btw, cars now have this GPS thing. Dealers getting excited like “DOWNLOAD OUR APP” to instantly track your car’s location, and know the tire pressures and everything, and remote start. I’m like… all that is available through an app?.. seems like a security/privacy nightmare. Whats stops a crazy ex from knowing where you are? I don’t even drive btw, was with parents at the dealership to translate, parents did not seem worried about the privacy concerns… 🤷♂️)
There are a couple of problems with this logic and it’s why regulations are critical to a functioning world.
Its certainly more nuanced than that, but that’s just a quick breakdown of the challenges of voting with your wallet.
Food is a bad example because it will never have a subscription fee on it.
The point of my post was if there’s any way reasonably that you can get around not buying it, then just don’t buy it.
That’s why I chose a microwave. Do you really have to have a microwave? Not really
do you really have to have a TV to watch TV? No you don’t have to watch TV.
Do You really have to have an electronic alarm clock? No.
Headphones same thing, …
Are there instances where you might not have any choice? Yeah of course. But the vast majority of purchases do not fall in that category. That’s my point. If there is a realistic way to not buy something then don’t.
Car is a great example: do you really have to buy a NEW car? No. You are choosing to buy a new car. There’s used cars out there.
Don’t need to know the ins and outs of every industry. Just ask a couple of simple questions: does this have a subscription fee? Do I really have absolutely no other choice but to buy this item?
Not sure why that would be tough for people to ask.
If you want to limit consumer decisions to subscription vs no-subscriptions than sure, but subscriptions are just one element of the choices people have to make.
You also have issues like data privacy, ethical labor, maintainability, etc. Too many things for everyone to keep up with and effectively vote with their wallet.