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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

#51

Post by datavirtue »

gorjusborg wrote: post #17

This type of 'update' is one reason I tend to stay away from so-called 'smart' devices. If part of the product I've paid for is software, and the company can update it without customer consent at any time, then I can't rely on the product's features. Period. I experienced this myself on the PS4 version of Terraria. I bought a hard-copy of the game. I mastered the controls, and loved them. Terraria was updated one day…

My feeling is that this is a temporary thing that leverages previous generations propensity for compliance and happily being controlled and screwed over constantly.

I have been appalled at the way people bend over and open their wallet since I was a preteen. Nordic and all the other rent seeking shits count on people blindly using their product they way they are told to. I'm surprised Nordic isn't suing their customers yet.

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

#52

Post by taude »

jabroni_salad wrote: post #26

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…

Funny, I use iPad on a music stand, too. With my bike trainier (Hammer H3). BTW, you can get the Sufferfest content on the newer Wahoo Systm app. I don't mind paying the $15/month for it for a the three to four winter months spent training inside. (They also have newer content, too, than the old DVDs.)

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

#53

Post by enobrev »

monkeybutton wrote: post #19
_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…

Want to unlock your car with the keyfob? Want to use the heated seats? Subscriptions. Anyways, please drink a verification can. Consider also reading "Unauthorized Bread".

"Sorry, these cupholders do not work with this brand of soda. Your GPS screen is now showing the nearest store where you can purchase a brand of soda that will work in your cupholders. You'll be enjoying delicious X Brand Soda in just 17 minutes!"

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

#54

Post by imoverclocked »

gorjusborg wrote: post #17

This type of 'update' is one reason I tend to stay away from so-called 'smart' devices. If part of the product I've paid for is software, and the company can update it without customer consent at any time, then I can't rely on the product's features. Period. I experienced this myself on the PS4 version of Terraria. I bought a hard-copy of the game. I mastered the controls, and loved them. Terraria was updated one day…

This pattern is pervasive. I also dislike needing an app and an internet connection for the most basic functionality with some purchased device. At some point, we need to own the things we buy and that line keeps getting pushed back further and further.

Anec-data: I purchased a cooking device for my parents in December and it has a single button to turn it off. The only way to use it is with an app which requires a login to the company's service. The device even has local bluetooth capabilities. You may be wondering, "What is this device supposed to do?" and the obvious answer is: "It's supposed to boil water." The real answer seems to be, "it collects usage data about customers boiling water."

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

#55

Post by horsawlarway »

AndrewOMartin wrote: post #30
horsawlarway wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

My take is not nearly as strong as the fsf's. I'm fine not being provided with source code, and not being able to distribute the original code itself.

Basically - I don't expect to have companies hand me code they wrote to run the device (I happen to like it, so I tend to support companies that do), but I don't believe that's a reasonable (or particularly useful) practice when so many functions depend on external web services.

I do expect to have them legally prevented from blocking me from writing my own code to run or repair the device.

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

#56

Post by sschueller »

MaxBarraclough wrote: post #27

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

Successful for whom? The layers or the consumer? Sadly in many class action cases the "victims" get effectively nothing.

The way class action is done in the US it only makes sense for the law firms.

I have stacks of class action letters and in almost every case I get exactly zero...

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

#57

Post by omnimus »

gorjusborg wrote: post #17

This type of 'update' is one reason I tend to stay away from so-called 'smart' devices. If part of the product I've paid for is software, and the company can update it without customer consent at any time, then I can't rely on the product's features. Period. I experienced this myself on the PS4 version of Terraria. I bought a hard-copy of the game. I mastered the controls, and loved them. Terraria was updated one day…

It’s not that i dont agree but the Terraria example is a bit unfair. First this is issue of the platform. On other platforms you can choose version of the game. And second Terraria is example of probably one of the most supported games. The update you are talking about brings massive amount of content and updates completely for free 9 years!!! after release. Most companies would milk the product with third sequel and dozens DLCs by that time.

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

#60

Post by frozenport »

MaxBarraclough wrote: post #27

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

Thats because Sony originally marketed OtherOS but then changed the functionality after the users had purchased the machines.
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