141–150 of 246 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes; PiHoles are used for far more than just blocking smart TVs. The difference between browsing the web at my house and browsing away from home is so stark that it's almost not worth browsing most sites if I'm not behind it.
I run a simple VPN at my house alongside pinhole. You can block ads anywhere that way.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
>I agree despite using DNS blocking myself. DNS blocking can easily be mitigated against with DoH or DoT at the application level. It's only a matter of time before advertisers start using either to bypass DNS blocking and serve ads. DoH/DoT are just the camel's nose under the tent. Just wait (perhaps it's already happening) until TV manufacturers install 4g/5g modems in their devices. At which point, there will be a…
>Just wait (perhaps it's already happening) until TV manufacturers install 4g/5g modems in their devices. I hear this raised every now and then, but is that even feasible economically? Those embedded cell connections are a recurring cost, after all. I'm curious if the per-unit revenue from ads and tracking is large enough to justify the per-unit cost to send/receive that data over a cell connection. Seems like UI nud…
I was just thinking about how much I hate our TV blasting random shows every time I turn it on. Who on earth wants more “recommendations by ai”? AI is short for advertising industry at this point.
Nice one. Added to https://github.com/globalcitizen/taoup
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I sidedstepped the problem by buying a nice TV and not caring about ads or what the thing is doing w/ my wifi. Of all the things for me to get worked up over, this isn’t one of them.
Just wondering... (really interested, not being snarky!) I see this opinion with family members and other people who aren't in tech/computers (the majority of people). I figured it was because they don't know how impressive data science has become. But you most likely do know: so what would it actually take to make you care about what they are doing over your wifi? Transmit every remote control button push? Send hash…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sounds like we also need a list of IPs to null route
The workaround is already in use for ad hosting - serve all the content from one domain (or an IP) with services natted behind that, so if you block it, nothing works.
Though in the case of a smart TV, you would want to block everything except for whichever streaming services you're subscribed to.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I can always deny internet via MAC address, but a modern panel that just turns on instantly and works is the stuff of dreams.
You can buy them, commercial displays, but they are... quite expensive.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
>Just wait (perhaps it's already happening) until TV manufacturers install 4g/5g modems in their devices. I hear this raised every now and then, but is that even feasible economically? Those embedded cell connections are a recurring cost, after all. I'm curious if the per-unit revenue from ads and tracking is large enough to justify the per-unit cost to send/receive that data over a cell connection. Seems like UI nud…
It’s not just a recurring cost with 4G/5G modems, but it’s also practically infeasible in many countries where getting a cellular connection of any kind requires KYC and related formalities. There’s no way these TV manufacturing companies can buy one connection per TV (and accept the liabilities that come with such a connection) or get their customers to have one. If they do try WiFi to a known hotspot that the compa…
That doesn't seem to bother Amazon's Whispernet.
Amazon has been doing this for years[0]. Free cellular access for specific Kindle devices for specific purposes. They've sold many millions of those around the world.
Granted, Amazon was generating revenue from selling ebooks, which was the incentive for providing the service.
>There’s no way these TV manufacturing companies can buy one connection per TV (and accept the liabilities that come with such a connection) or get their customers to have one.
If they follow Amazon's lead, they'll enter into contracts with global networks (Amazon uses AT&T) for bulk rates on carrying their products' traffic.
That said, it's not at all clear to me what the break even point might be on a per-device basis for these TVs, but the first search result for "WiFI/LTE chipset price" yielded this link[1]:
ZTE 4G Module LTE Wireless Wifi Board with Sim
Card Slot Mini Router PCB for IOT Camera GPS
Sensor Data Transmission
1 - 499 Pieces $17.49
500 - 1999 Pieces $15.99
>=2000 Pieces $14.99
Whether or not it would be profitable for the TV manufacturers is an open question.
I'm not saying that it will happen, just that it could.
And that would make me sad.
[0] https://smallbusiness.chron.com/amazon-whispernet-work-58992...
[1] https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/4g-Lte-Zte4g-ZTE-4G-M...
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can buy them, commercial displays, but they are... quite expensive.
They don't always support the DRM apps want for 4K streaming.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
They don't always support the DRM apps want for 4K streaming.
Wait, so you're saying that DRM has become so ingrained in modern tech that if I wanted to connect a firestick to a Dumb Display(No electronics other than to drive the display), if that Display doesn't have DRM functionality then the app won't load or play content even though the firetv has the DRM?