When you connect a new device to a ‘smart’ tv, you must pay homage to the manufacturer with a ritualistic dance. Plugging and unplugging the device. Turning them on and off in the correct sequence like entering a konami code.
Every time you want to switch devices, the tv must scan for them. And god forbid you lose power, or unplug something. You are granted the delight experience of doing it all over again.
I have fond memories of the days of just plugging something in, and pressing the input button. Instant gratification. It was a simpler time.
What is some other tech that used to be better?
A lot of the modern tech is really good, though.
Cars are way more reliable than they were. They get way better gas mileage. They have a shitload more power (this is actually a con due to how everyone else drives these days). They’re way safer in both accidents and just general driving with traction control and lane departure warnings.
So it’s a real mixed bag. But I’d rather have the cars of today.
The only thing that used to be better was more physical buttons. And it looks like the EU will be pushing for that to return (requiring more physical buttons for the highest security rating).
I also prefer the old style heat/AC bar over the modern style where you set a temperature number. What’s the point of setting a temperature number when the car doesn’t actually maintain or output that particular temperature? For example, if it’s 70° out and I set my temperature control to 70°, it might blast cold air at me or hot air. It’s a crapshoot. The old style bar, you just set how warm or cool the air was that’s coming out of the vents and it didn’t change based on external temperature. So much simpler.
But yeah, non-physical buttons are both inconvenient and hazardous.