Remember folks: Any smart device you have that requires an internet connection or app is e-waste waiting to happen at the company's whim.
this post was submitted on 08 Jul 2024
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I mean, there are some devices that fundamentally have to be online to be useful. You're not losing anything there.
A Roku stick requires the Roku streaming service to be functioning to be useful. If there wasn't a service with streaming media, the stick would have nothing to stream.
The problem is when you have a device that doesn't have that fundamental requirement but is then unnecessarily tied to an online service. Home automation requiring Internet connectivity, for example, when virtually no home automation actually requires access to any online services, or converting non-live-service video games to live-service video games.
A Roku stick requires the Roku streaming service to be functioning to be useful. If there wasn't a service with streaming media, the stick would have nothing to stream.
In cases like this; it's still only artificially dependant on Rokus services.
The hardware is perfectly capable of streaming from any number of services, including entirely self-hosted solutions like Emby/Jellyfin/Plex; yet the device can be remotely bricked just by nolonger providing Rokus services to it.
A Roku stick requires the Roku streaming service to be functioning to be useful. If there wasn't a service with streaming media, the stick would have nothing to stream.
Still becomes e-waste if Roku drops support for it. Granted, that's not the best example as I've got an old-ass Roku that still works, but the point stands. Same goes for Fire sticks and other devices like that.
They really should be forced to, at minimum, release unlocking tools to allow 3rd party firmware. (Think flashing OpenWRT to a Roku and using it as a travel router or something). Ideally, they'd also release a development kit to foster "after-life" uses of such devices.
Lots of companies will accept old devices back (supposedly to recycle), but there's another "R", re-use, that's also an important part of the process.
Still becomes e-waste if Roku drops support for it. Granted, that’s not the best example as I’ve got an old-ass Roku that still works, but the point stands. Same goes for Fire sticks and other devices like that.
Just look at Spotify's Car Thing.
Thank you, lol. I knew there was a very recent example but was blanking on it.
There are other risks, such as the functionality changing without your knowledge or input (see again: Roku): https://www.theverge.com/24188282/roku-tv-update-motion-smoothing-turn-off
So if you own pair of these shoes you will no longer be able to use the features on said shoes?
Without the app, wearers are unable to change the color of the sneaker's LED lights. The lights will either maintain the last color scheme selected via the app or, per Nike, "if you didn't install the app, light will be the default color." While owners will still be able to use on-shoe buttons to turn the shoes on or off, check its battery, adjust the lace's tightness, and save fit settings, the ability to change lighting and control the shoes via mobile phone were big selling points of the $350 kicks.
I own a pair. You do lose some functionality without the app. The ability to change the light colors, set and recall presets.
You can still tighten them without the app. And I think you can set one preset as well (not sure tbh)
They announced the sunsetting of the app like 2 months ago but the media is capitalizing on the announcement now for some reason. It sucks but it’s not the end of the world not having the app.
Losing the app means that people can't change the color of the light on the shoe. You can still do all the other shit manually.
That said, I feel like companies should be required to open source shit like this once they drop support for it. Otherwise stuff like this adds to the mountains of e-waste poisoning the planet.
companies should be required to open source shit like this once they drop support for it
Damn right they should!
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Of all the overpriced bullshit people flock to for no reason other than to be suckers, sneakers are the one that made the least sense to me.
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Anything requiring a smartphone app to use should be an instant non-starter for everyone.
The problem is that there are usually no other alternatives, or at least not any easily accessible. Heck, these days even routers require app activation for no reason other than to be shitty.
There should be a law against this. All hardware requiring an app should also have an open API.
Heck, these days even routers require app activation for no reason other than to be shitty
There are more often than not alternatives that exist that don't have this requirement.
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Isn't the point of self-lacing shoes that they shouldn't require manual user input at all? What is the app for then?
So will there be a pirate app floating around for those who own these? Are there enough peeps who bought these for there to be interest in making one? Can't be tough
Prob for Android but not likely on iOS
lol
Just don't do it
Just screw it
Just do it yourself.
Let me guess.... AI enhanced feature?
why does it need an app? Why not just have a button on the shoe that pulls the laces into their chambers and forget about connecting it to your phone?
It could have a button.
But a button wouldnt give them all the permissions on your phone to harvest your data for sale and exploitation.
Because once their app is installed on your phone, they can send you push notification ads for their next great shoes.
It does. The only thing you can't do is change the lighting color I think
having it with any ability to connect to your phone at all is dumb. Why does everything have to be connected to everything else all the time to work? Oh right...surveillance from advertising companies
I just bought a breathalyzer so I can know my BAC when out having a couple at happy hour and be safe to drive home. It works standalone because it has a button and screen, but all over the place it's like "it has an app!!! It can connect to your phone!!!" who the fuck would ever want to do that?
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Finally, they fixed shoe-tying. Now all I gotta do when I wanna tie my shoes is download an app and make sure my shoes are charged.
“I’ve got to leave early.”
“Why? We’re having fun!”
“Sorry, I got to go home and charge my shoes.”
We surely live in the future! /s
Companies really should just opensource their apps at this point, or at the very least publish their protocols.
Can't see how dropping apps and bricking devices benefits anyone.
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We need self tightening AI nuts and bolts. We could sell them to Boeing or something idk.
I believe those are called stem bolts
Good luck trying to get any without yamok sauce.
Oh yeah. Let's hand aviation safety to the technology that thinks deathcap mushrooms are delicious and healthy.
I dont know what you're on about.
My Glue special pizza is delicious, and solved my issues with loose bowel movements! I dont even have bowel movements at all anymore! Its great!
How long before it requires a subscription?
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