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Peloton Axes Free 'Just Run' Feature from Treadmill

pcmag.com

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Re: Peloton Axes Free 'Just Run' Feature from Treadmill

#21

Post by k1t »

madamelic wrote: post #4

Can anyone explain how a company could release an update of _their_ software on _their_ machine that just adds a passcode lock to the screen but the only way to get that feature is to pay them money. I am quite confused how a lockscreen update & functionality and paid membership could fathomably be connected in code. This seems like Peloton is doing this to try to force people into buying membership.

Perhaps the recovery process for people who forget their passcode?

Easier to implement if you have other verified communication methods.

Re: Peloton Axes Free 'Just Run' Feature from Treadmill

#22

Post by whybotherwith »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #19
Fwirt wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The difference is that with a smartphone you can choose which service provider you want (even if they're more or less the same, at least there's "competition")... or don't if you just want to use your smartphone as an internet device/music player/weak little *nix box. Without a subscription, what can you use a Peloton treadmill for? A really low bench?

We didn’t buy a Peloton, but we did buy an Aviron row machine [1] after its Launch HN post [2]. $2k + $30/month. Is it worth it? It’s worth it to us between juggling work, zoom meetings, kids, life minutia and not having time to get to a gym. I can row at 2am if I want (and I do). That’s what money is for: to bring happiness and solve problems. [1] https://avironactive.com/ [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25…

This still doesn't feel like a fair comparison.

The Aviron website clearly states that the device is still perfectly functional as an exercise device without the membership.

Also, I cannot fathom that I'm considering a subscription service for something like this, and yet I am... anything to make exercising fun, I guess.

Re: Peloton Axes Free 'Just Run' Feature from Treadmill

#23

Post by toomuchtodo »

whybotherwith wrote: post #22
toomuchtodo wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We didn’t buy a Peloton, but we did buy an Aviron row machine [1] after its Launch HN post [2]. $2k + $30/month. Is it worth it? It’s worth it to us between juggling work, zoom meetings, kids, life minutia and not having time to get to a gym. I can row at 2am if I want (and I do). That’s what money is for: to bring happiness and solve problems. [1] https://avironactive.com/ [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25…

This still doesn't feel like a fair comparison. The Aviron website clearly states that the device is still perfectly functional as an exercise device without the membership. Also, I cannot fathom that I'm considering a subscription service for something like this, and yet I am... anything to make exercising fun, I guess.

I suppose that’s fair, as we can still row without the membership. I think the bigger issue is how this relates to right to repair and product warranty/merchantability. If you sell a product and then take away features using a software update, you should be required to either compensate owners for the lost functionality or buy back the equipment from them at purchase price.

Re: Peloton Axes Free 'Just Run' Feature from Treadmill

#24

Post by peapicker »

peapicker wrote: post #2

This sort of thing is why I went with a Concept 2 row erg and bike erg. There is no software connection to anything but the monitoring of the user - if desired. But with their bluetooth and many apps available you can still gamify it if you like.

Another plus about row/bike ergs is that they work even if the power is out.

Re: Peloton Axes Free 'Just Run' Feature from Treadmill

#25

Post by addicted »

Alexmania wrote: post #5

Article title is a bit misleading IMO, they are offering everyone Tread+ subscription for free (for 3 months) until the software feature is released to non paying members. Agree it's not the best customer experience but it doesn't really "brick" users from using the treadmill although does make it inconvenient for users that need to now sign up for Tread+

It’s not just a bit misleading. It’s completely wrong.

They aren’t taking away the free feature. They’ve disabled it while they make a similar but safer feature available in the free tier and in the meanwhile they are giving people free access to the paid tier.

No one who doesn’t want to pay Peloton the monthly subscription to use it will ever need to do so, and for a few months they will be able to use the premium features for free.

Re: Peloton Axes Free 'Just Run' Feature from Treadmill

#27

Post by bombcar »

FDSGSG wrote: post #26
bombcar wrote: post #11

Why would anyone pay so much for hardware that requires a subscription he said while posting from his $1500 + $100/mo smartphone.

What's the $100 for? Do people normally spend that much on app subscriptions?

Cell/internet service.

It’s true you can use a phone as a tablet without internet but it’s also true that very few do.

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