Reposting this from here from 2023, after I stumbled across it tonight and it hits hard.

The text in the image:

I love my smart TV. I love the way it takes a long time to boot up because it’s trying to refresh the advertisements on the home screen. I delight in the way it randomly restarts because it’s downloaded an update without asking me, each of which makes the TV slower and slower with every subsequent install. I adore the way it buries the apps that I want to use, and that I use without fail every single time, below the apps that it’s being paid to promote and which I have never touched in my life and would never use without the cold metal of a glock pressed hard against my sweating temple. I am infinitely thrilled by the way the interface lags constantly, due to the need to have one thousand unnecessary animations rendered on hardware ripped wholesale from a ten year old phone. I feel myself borne aloft on wings of pure joy when I am notified that my data will be collected and analysed to determine my usage patterns. Even now I am writing this from a field of beautiful flowers and soft luscious grass as I lie and look up happily at the bright blue sky, smiling happily to know that this is the future of technology

  • Onsotumenh@discuss.tchncs.de
    17·
    2 days ago

    I’m in the market for a new tv and all this crap just makes me want to scream in frustration. But prolonging the decision will just make it even worse.

    On top of that my 2017 shield is starting to show its age and there is really no comparable 4k (streaming) alternative thats not a security risk. I feel more and more pushed towards piracy, so that I can use my linux box and decide how and where to watch content. I hate it…

    • sanzky@beehaw.org
      14·
      2 days ago

      smart TVs mostly can be used as a dumb TV if you reject the terms of services when you set it up. I understand they are annoying, but people making such a big fuzz about them are clearly just fabricating drama.

      • Honytawk@lemmy.zipEnglish
        14·
        2 days ago

        You don’t even have to reject the terms of services, just never connect it to the internet. Not even once.

        Won’t even be able to send rejections to a server.

        I can recommend TLC, they can be used as a dumb TV and never need an internet connection if you just use it as a screen. Wouldn’t recommend them with internet though since the remote literally has a microphone build-in.

        • jol@discuss.tchncs.de
          7·
          2 days ago

          But I want to use the Internet. I want it to be able to access my network files and to cast video from my phone. Why does it have to be either all or nothing?

          • DdCno1@beehaw.org
            5·
            2 days ago

            Consider an Android TV device. Fire TV Stick at the low end, Shield TV Pro at the high end. Not much point to anything in between.

          • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
            5·
            2 days ago

            And the next generation my well have capability to connect to cell towers or something (for your convenience!). Or just refuse to work without internet access (for security!).

      • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
        3·
        2 days ago

        Interesting. I wonder how long that will last.

        You really think the technology being inside there and capable of switching on at any time is just drama?

      • Onsotumenh@discuss.tchncs.de
        2·
        2 days ago

        I think it is a drama, because it’s not just the tvs doing that. Almost everything is getting more and more annoying and restricting. Things are starting to constantly nag you one way or another, shove things into your face you don’t care about, take away functionality and generally worsen user experience… It’s just mentally exhausting.

        And yes I know you can reliably turn that data collection stuff off (at least in the EU) but hopping through those hoops each and every time for each and every device and service can and will hollow out your resolve (and you have to find all the buried options every time…). Thats how you get masses that just don’t care anymore.

        • sanzky@beehaw.org
          3·
          2 days ago

          I honestly think the issue is that these people want a SmartTV but are annoyed about its downsides. When I bought my current TV I disabled the smartOS but ended up enabling it back because I did find value on its features.

          I think the complaints are not well articulated. They do want the smart TV they just want good ones that dont spy on them or show ads.

    • Bad_Company_Daps
      1·
      2 days ago

      Found any promising leads? My Samsung is still holding on but I know I’m counting the days until it’s time to replace it

      • Onsotumenh@discuss.tchncs.de
        1·
        2 days ago

        I’m still agonizing over it. However, I stopped caring as much and decided to focus on picture and capabilities. I’ll use it as dumb tv and try to beat whatever streamer will follow my shield into submission. Saves me getting a new dac for my hifi as well as none of my possible choices seem to support usb audio passthrough.

        My biggest problem right now is that I always end up in the premium oled section ;)