I am a huge opponent to the subscription model for hardware - I'm with ya, Walt! Like you, I get the idea behind a 3-month demo of SiriusXM, but don't lock hardware - that I'm lugging around anyway - behind software. That's just bad form. Thanks for the shout-out - I'm glad you enjoy the videos! I do what I can to help, even if you think Lego as a hobby is weird ;) [PS: blame my kids - they got into it, and I got back into it - I was a huge fan of Lego as a kid, and the new stuff has a lot more engineering going on, which tickles my fancy so to speak]
I think if consumers wouldn't enable these manufacturers by purchasing their products, a lot of this would simply go away. The problem is that people have this need to have the newest and best thing.......maybe some new consumer protection laws are in order. Oh wait, the politicians are as greedy as the manufacturers....they wouldn't want to give up the kickbacks they receive from their business buddies....
There seems to be some major pushback on some of these charges. I'm curios if it will result in some of these companies walking back these software locks or if they become routine as electronic features keep advancing.
I like the idea of companies being able to add functionality after the fact. Getting new features that weren't there when you purchased. But locking out features from day one is just a money grab. I love apple products but i feel like they are one another level when it come to the right to repair. going as far as disabling features simply because you didn't pay them for the part. Not sure if the link will work, but it's explained in this video. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K2WhU77ihw8.html
I think having future upgrades that added features - kind of like what Apple and Google do with operating system and firmware updates, would be pretty cool. That is something that I wouldn't mind paying for after the fact.
Im not fond of this. I was looking into purchasing a KTM 890 and once I heard of that demo mode and how the modes get locked after a few months I said forget it.
I'm trying to see both sides of this issue but I'm really struggling with it. Hopping on my bike one day only to find out that I was locked out of certain things because I went past the demo period would be pretty upsetting.
If you buy the bike with the things already installed on them, you should have full access to the features. These subscription based features are nothing but a bullshit money grab
It's complex. Manufacturing and building this stuff is expensive. Manufacturing multiple versions is even more expensive. So how do you spread that cost around? Do you take the total development cost around to everyone? Or lock out features to sell at a lower price point to some people and make those that want it and can afford to pay the premium for it. The question is, would you rather have a zero that is software limited and cheaper. Or have it so there is only one option and there is no entry level price point?
But it's one thing to have to pay for software UPDATES, where the refinements aren't yet there, and something else entirely to actively nerf features. This isn't an MMO where additional features have continued resource drain on servers. This is standalone hardware that already has all of it built in. Requiring an additional subscription for built-in GPS would make sense, as that's an ongoing service that changes constantly. Subscription for better mileage, though!? That's nuts.
@@packgrog - Those features have to be developed and engineered. They are there. The other option is every KTM comes with them and there is no entry level. People complain constantly about how expensive some of these bikes are. Disabling features and not charging you, is one way to control costs. Let the people who want those pay for them.
