Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

cnn.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

441–450 of 555 posts

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#441

Post by krono »

iknowstuff wrote: post #365
krono wrote: post #314

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They already posses the capability to perform to the implied specifications with or without that $60/mo.

Wait until you find out about binning or software limited engines

Not quite the same, but those are also being worked around by everyone and their mother. In many cases with dirty and damaging hack solutions, which only have to be that way due to the fact that no relevant technical documentation is published by the manufacturer.

And then there are plenty of people who will happily download and load a custom bios onto their $2k GPU that they found on some or other foreign-language forum without even the slightest clue as to how it works or what the possible consequences might be.

This will now also start being a thing with non-technical people and their cars.

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#442

Post by pmontra »

jrockway wrote: post #149
lcnPylGDnU4H9OF wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These complaints remind me of complaints I've heard about "day one" DLC (DownLoadable Content) in video games. For those unfamiliar, it's content which is available in the game upon its release but you have to pay extra for it. Sometimes, players are given the option to buy the Ultra Digital Deluxe Collector's Edition which comes with the DLC and "exclusive" shit (and also costs extra). If it's not rent seeking, it's…

Isn't this all the same thing as what airlines did after 9/11? You pay the fare and get a seat. Want it to not be a middle seat? That's $50. Want to carry on a bag? That's $50. Want to check a bag? That's $50. Want to check out the lounge before you depart? That's $50. Want some WiFi? That's $50. Want a snack? That's $50. Now your flight is $200 more than the quoted fare. (OK OK you can probably get WiFi and a snack…

People pay the fare and usually don't buy any extra. And the plane doesn't go any faster if all passengers paid an hypothetical Speed Improvement.

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#443

Post by r00fus »

lotsofpulp wrote: post #331
r00fus wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Should rile up any rational consumer. Corporation can flex their market power to ensure you pay more for something they can provide for free.

Where do grocery stores and coupons fit into this? Selling a book/media at a lower price in with a poorer populace? A national park charging difference prices based on the visitor’s nationality (by the passport they have)? Haggling in a market in a stereotypically poor country where different buyers get different prices based on their negotiations? A big company sales representative selling software licenses at diffe…

This is exactly why anti-trust exists - ostensibly to prevent any single entity from having a coercive monopoly in any given market.

If one company owns all the grocery outlets in a region, they can do this, so that is frowned on by governments.

I can't speak to your other examples, they don't seem to apply directly.

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#444

Post by smileysteve »

southwesterly wrote: post #68
2rsf wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't you want software upgrades? cars are loaded with technology, some of it is for "fun" like navigation of music services, but a lot if for safety reasons and this requires frequent updating.

No. I don’t want software upgrades. I want a vehicle that moves me from A to B with the least environmental disruption as possible. If this can’t happen then I’m cycling or taking the bus.

More acutely, cars have been been able to get software updates for 25+ years.

The dealer had the software and would update it for free (typically part of a recall) on my 2004 bmw, you can get this software and tune for only premium fuel (less safety)

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#445

Post by matwood »

alexb_ wrote: post #233
jrockway wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't this all the same thing as what airlines did after 9/11? You pay the fare and get a seat. Want it to not be a middle seat? That's $50. Want to carry on a bag? That's $50. Want to check a bag? That's $50. Want to check out the lounge before you depart? That's $50. Want some WiFi? That's $50. Want a snack? That's $50. Now your flight is $200 more than the quoted fare. (OK OK you can probably get WiFi and a snack…

...Are you of the impression that people like this? People hate it. It's like, the one thing everyone complains about all the time when flying. How did you get to the conclusion that people like this about flights

Don't really love or hate, but am ok with it. If I'm flying something short, I'll buy the cheapest ticket possible, which are really cheap now. Longer flights I like being able to get more leg room w/o having to spring for first class.

There is a large group of people who only want the cheapest flight possible, then there is a decent sized group who want more than basic economy, but don't want to pay for first class. This is basic customer segmenting.

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#446

Post by fowtowmowcow »

_yb2s wrote: post #389
fowtowmowcow wrote: post #298

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You know what's also cool. A mechanical engineer can lose their license if their work results in deaths. A software engineer can't lose their license because they don't have one. Perhaps a professional license may improve software development and thus better software in consumer products like cars where bad software design can result in deaths.

I don't think it would need to apply to all SWEs, but would make sense for safety critical things like firmware that runs vehicles, roads, bridges, etc. Certainly the sort of systems that interact with or control other systems already requiring a PE. BioE doesn't have anything like that yet either.

I agree.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomedical_engineering#Trainin...

Looks like while there is not a particular license for BioE they can be licensed under other disciplines.

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#447

Post by ThinkBeat »

This gives me nightmarish visions of DRM battles in the engine compartment. You hacked me to go faster, but you didn't pay. "No No. Its all good. See here is the code" That code has now expired, I will start melting the engine. DMCA DMCA "You are just confused. This code is ok again tomorrow" Master computer says melt the engine. All warranty null and void

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#448

Post by zoiksmeboiks »

olyjohn wrote: post #290
gambiting wrote: post #258

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A lot of people here think building a successful subscription based product is the absolute goal in life. To them Mercedes (and BMW and others) doing this isn't dumb - it's super smart and worth applauding. Otherwise you're just leaving money on the table /s.

You put the /s, but I don't think this comment is inaccurate in any way. Some people really have enthusiasm for nothing but making money. No hobbies, no interests, no friends, no other goals.

[flagged]

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#449

Post by riversflow »

alexb_ wrote: post #236
ddalex wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> at literally no cost or effort. But somebody designed, implemented and tested (presumably) the feature of remote enabling functionality for money, manages the subscription and payment systems, real time communications to the fleet of cars, etc.... that costs a lot of money and effort, doesn't come for free.

"It's okay that they lock things behind subscriptions because how else would they pay for the mechanisms necessary to lock things behind subscriptions"

“If I don’t charge you to pass how will my boss pay me?” said the highwayman to the traveler.

Re: Mercedes EVs can go faster for $60 a month

#450

Post by micromacrofoot »

Honestly don't hate this when applied to speed specifically. Consider it a tax on dangerous behavior. Before you get your knickers in a twist, we already get charged more for premium safety features.

Why can cars go as fast as they do to begin with? how many people die because some foolish teenage boy with more testosterone than brains (I've been there) was hurtling down the highway at 100mph+?

Post reply on HN