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Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

arstechnica.com

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Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#11

Post by [deleted] »

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #3

Kinda a wild idea I had never really considered, but absolutely a possibility: using a TV as a loss leader to sell ads. Not sure if that's they're intent here, but I could easily see that becoming a thing (if it isn't already). And what better way to collect useful ad data on people than forcing them to create an account and then tracking their usage of the device.

[deleted]

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#15

Post by Robdel12 »

Is there any kind of “hook up” on wholesale large dumb displays?

I know I’m preaching to the choir, but I just want a giant dumb display from my Apple TV. I vaguely remember someone posting a link to tvs restaurants use but I don’t remember exactly what or if it was what I’m looking for.

(Sorry, being lazy here)

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#16

Post by sjsdaiuasgdia »

darknavi wrote: post #6

Isn't that actually great? Just never create and sign into a Walmart account and now your TV isn't infected.

This presumes that, now or later, there won't be an on-screen message that can't be dismissed saying "Sign in to a Walmart account to enable all TV features."

There's plenty of ways they can interfere with attempts to use the TV in "dumb" mode. Heck it could refuse to show any video at all til you've signed in.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#17

Post by andrewmunsell »

SunshineTheCat wrote: post #3

Kinda a wild idea I had never really considered, but absolutely a possibility: using a TV as a loss leader to sell ads. Not sure if that's they're intent here, but I could easily see that becoming a thing (if it isn't already). And what better way to collect useful ad data on people than forcing them to create an account and then tracking their usage of the device.

This has been a thing for years, and so much so, that there's an entire TV with a dedicated second screen that shows you ads underneath your main screen: https://www.telly.com

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#18

Post by [deleted] »

sjsdaiuasgdia wrote: post #16
darknavi wrote: post #6

Isn't that actually great? Just never create and sign into a Walmart account and now your TV isn't infected.

This presumes that, now or later, there won't be an on-screen message that can't be dismissed saying "Sign in to a Walmart account to enable all TV features." There's plenty of ways they can interfere with attempts to use the TV in "dumb" mode. Heck it could refuse to show any video at all til you've signed in.

[deleted]

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#19

Post by 1bpp »

Robdel12 wrote: post #15

Is there any kind of “hook up” on wholesale large dumb displays? I know I’m preaching to the choir, but I just want a giant dumb display from my Apple TV. I vaguely remember someone posting a link to tvs restaurants use but I don’t remember exactly what or if it was what I’m looking for. (Sorry, being lazy here)

Look for used 'Digital Signage' or 'Commercial' displays. They usually have dumb firmware and the same panels as retail models.

Re: Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features

#20

Post by interloxia »

pavel_lishin wrote: post #14
limagnolia wrote: post #9

So, just like Google, Amazon, and Roku TV's? (And probably LG and Samsung too?)

Google and Amazon make smart TVs?

TV/streaming devices. Amazon's launched in 2014 and GoogleTV in 2010 according to wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_TV_(2010%E2%80%932014)

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