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Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

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Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#21

Post by FredPret »

horsawlarway wrote: post #15
_fat_santa wrote: post #7

I really hate how we are moving more and more towards "managed experiences" in products. Used to, you would buy a product and use it how you see fit. But these days it seems that's not what the company wants you to do. You buy the product and enjoy a "managed" experience from the company. We see it everywhere with printers, coffee makers, phones, laptops, treadmills and even cars now. Everyone knows why this is being…

I've been thinking about this for a while, and my proposal is pretty simple: --- Legally - prohibit selling physical goods that contain digital locks unless the owner is given a key. Period. --- That's all you have to do. If I own the device, I get the keys for the physical locks, and the keys for the digital locks. I'm completely ok with manufacturers locking down computers for security, in much the same way that I…

That makes sense.

With these treadmills, gyms can simply keep their NordicTracks locked to prevent people messing with them.

And if you buy one for yourself, you can watch Netflix.

All at the owners’ risk. Treat adults like adults. I like it.

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#22

Post by whoomp12342 »

bmcniel wrote: post #5

Classically the feature was taken away to make you safer :) > The block on privilege mode was automatically installed because we believe it enhances security and safety while using fitness equipment that has multiple moving parts,

yep, thats why they let you watch netflix on tredmills at the gym!

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#23

Post by AniseAbyss »

_fat_santa wrote: post #7

I really hate how we are moving more and more towards "managed experiences" in products. Used to, you would buy a product and use it how you see fit. But these days it seems that's not what the company wants you to do. You buy the product and enjoy a "managed" experience from the company. We see it everywhere with printers, coffee makers, phones, laptops, treadmills and even cars now. Everyone knows why this is being…

Maybe companies don't want to get sued and end up in the American justice system clown world. Personal responsibility seems to go right out of the window when people smell money...

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#25

Post by axiosgunnar »

_fat_santa wrote: post #16
dhimes wrote: post #4

If Nordic is being honest that the issue is safety- preventing users from diddling with their software and accidentally making it unsafe, then they can simply install a browser so the users can view what they wish online.

From Nordic's POV, this is a safety issue, it affects the safety of their bottom line. Adding a browser would also compromise safety, again not the safety of the user but the safety of their bottom line.

Hilarious take

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#26

Post by jabroni_salad »

Jeeze, I will stick with my modular solution: an ipad on a music stand. This is compatible not only with any commodity treadmill, but also bike trainers, ellipticals, and making vroomvroom noises on the motorcycle when it's too icy to actually ride. I could also swap out the ipad for a laptop, non-ipad tablet, or a collection of cute succulents should I desire it.

snark aside, I'm a bicycle guy and I really like that we have an ecosystem of bluetooth trainers and apps that all work pretty well with each other. Simulating hilly courses is actually really useful and has made me a better rider, so it's not like I'm advocating being a total luddite. While I prefer to ride outdoors in the sun, my area in Iowa is extremely flat and the only difficulty comes from the wind, and I find the new toys are a lot more fun than a dumb trainer with a sufferfest DVD. I don't really know much about the treadmill scene but I hope you guys have access to similar stuff.

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#27

Post by MaxBarraclough »

Not the first time a company has pushed an update that removes important features.

To my knowledge the first high-profile instance of this was when Sony updated the PS3 to remove Linux support, which resulted in a successful class-action in the US. [0]

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OtherOS

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#28

Post by dont__panic »

horsawlarway wrote: post #15
_fat_santa wrote: post #7

I really hate how we are moving more and more towards "managed experiences" in products. Used to, you would buy a product and use it how you see fit. But these days it seems that's not what the company wants you to do. You buy the product and enjoy a "managed" experience from the company. We see it everywhere with printers, coffee makers, phones, laptops, treadmills and even cars now. Everyone knows why this is being…

I've been thinking about this for a while, and my proposal is pretty simple: --- Legally - prohibit selling physical goods that contain digital locks unless the owner is given a key. Period. --- That's all you have to do. If I own the device, I get the keys for the physical locks, and the keys for the digital locks. I'm completely ok with manufacturers locking down computers for security, in much the same way that I…

Yeah, it's fine for a corporate device or a child's device to have some safety rails in place. But it's bullshit that an iOS device I purchased won't run any application or customization or OS version that I want.

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#29

Post by CountDrewku »

I don't understand this obsession with electronic exercise devices. The peloton, that stupid thing that mounts to the wall, treadmills etc.

Outside is so much better than all of those. I will 100% run in single digit temperatures with snow on the ground before I touch a treadmill. If I have to be inside it's weight lifting.

Re: Locked out of 'God Mode', runners are hacking their treadmills

#30

Post by AndrewOMartin »

horsawlarway wrote: post #15
_fat_santa wrote: post #7

I really hate how we are moving more and more towards "managed experiences" in products. Used to, you would buy a product and use it how you see fit. But these days it seems that's not what the company wants you to do. You buy the product and enjoy a "managed" experience from the company. We see it everywhere with printers, coffee makers, phones, laptops, treadmills and even cars now. Everyone knows why this is being…

I've been thinking about this for a while, and my proposal is pretty simple: --- Legally - prohibit selling physical goods that contain digital locks unless the owner is given a key. Period. --- That's all you have to do. If I own the device, I get the keys for the physical locks, and the keys for the digital locks. I'm completely ok with manufacturers locking down computers for security, in much the same way that I…

Yeah, wouldn't it be great if there was a foundation to advocate for being able to have the keys to your digital locks?

We could call it something like the Freedom from Locks on Software Foundation, or maybe something a bit snapper.

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