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The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

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Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#31

Post by nicbou »

littlecranky67 wrote: post #23
candiddevmike wrote: post #7

Downfall implies a failure or ending, it seems like they're still selling like hotcakes. This is why we need regulation to save us from surveillance, most consumers want cheap and don't understand/care that they're selling their privacy instead.

Any TV sold in the EU must adhere to the GDPR, so there has to be some sort of opt-out for tracking (and yes, GDPR opt-out also applies for "anonymized" profiling)

No opt-out. It must be opt-in - off from the start.

This does not stop companies from making it very difficult to stay opted out, or to disregard GDPR entirely. After all, enforcement is very rare.

Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#32

Post by formercoder »

candiddevmike wrote: post #7

Downfall implies a failure or ending, it seems like they're still selling like hotcakes. This is why we need regulation to save us from surveillance, most consumers want cheap and don't understand/care that they're selling their privacy instead.

I quite like my android tv on my lg display. It’s responsive with a nice solid feeling remote. I think there are ads on the screen but I’ve never given them more than a passing glance except once or twice I was recommended a good tv show. Most people outside of the HN crowd really don’t think about this stuff at all.

Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#33

Post by wombat-man »

ape4 wrote: post #20
DethNinja wrote: post #6

There is a much better option for HN crowd: Buy a large/modern computer monitor and connect it to your homelab’s media server. Literally there is no need for a smart TV so long as you are capable of setting up a small homelab.

What about over-the-air TV

Just need a tuner? Although I haven't used one in a while. I use a smart TV that isn't connected to internet.

Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#35

Post by scarface74 »

candiddevmike wrote: post #7

Downfall implies a failure or ending, it seems like they're still selling like hotcakes. This is why we need regulation to save us from surveillance, most consumers want cheap and don't understand/care that they're selling their privacy instead.

So what legislation? How many consumers even knowing that they are being tracked and advertised to are willing to pay the price so their hardware, software, and services come ad free?

If the US follows what the GDPR did, we will just have pop ups before every TV show asking us will we allow tracking.

Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#36

Post by designium »

zoba wrote: post #15
DethNinja wrote: post #6

There is a much better option for HN crowd: Buy a large/modern computer monitor and connect it to your homelab’s media server. Literally there is no need for a smart TV so long as you are capable of setting up a small homelab.

You can find these by searching “conference room monitor”

Depending on the size and brand, it's price is similar to "smart TVs". The bigger ones are costlier.

Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#38

Post by happymellon »

ClumsyPilot wrote: post #12
candiddevmike wrote: post #7

Downfall implies a failure or ending, it seems like they're still selling like hotcakes. This is why we need regulation to save us from surveillance, most consumers want cheap and don't understand/care that they're selling their privacy instead.

some manufacturers are outright scamming people - philips has added advertisement to TVs after they were sold!

I thought that was Samsung. Of course it wouldn't surprise me if it was both.

Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#39

Post by 2OEH8eoCRo0 »

formercoder wrote: post #32
candiddevmike wrote: post #7

Downfall implies a failure or ending, it seems like they're still selling like hotcakes. This is why we need regulation to save us from surveillance, most consumers want cheap and don't understand/care that they're selling their privacy instead.

I quite like my android tv on my lg display. It’s responsive with a nice solid feeling remote. I think there are ads on the screen but I’ve never given them more than a passing glance except once or twice I was recommended a good tv show. Most people outside of the HN crowd really don’t think about this stuff at all.

> I’ve never given them more than a passing glance except once or twice I was recommended a good tv show.

Looks like the ads worked.

Re: The downfall of smart TVs: From promises of seamless viewing to ad tool

#40

Post by moepstar »

nicbou wrote: post #27
theandrewbailey wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just don't use a smart monitor. Yeah, those will spy on you, too. https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-announce...

Frankly at this point I'd just avoid buying anything from Samsung. If there's one company that's displayed consistent disregard for data privacy, it's them.

Add Sony to that list as well - and not just disregard for privacy, even total disrespect to their buyers, repeatedly..
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