A Roku software update blocked antenna TV access without an internet connection, exposing how smart TV business models prioritize connectivity and data over basic broadcast functionality that should work offline by default.

  • _stranger_@lemmy.world
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    14 hours ago

    The one thing I find funny here is that the TV couldn’t have possibly received the update that introduced this problem unless it was connected to the Internet, so the victim in this case is a person who only watches OTA TV (because otherwise they’d have to click “ok” on the pop up to access the streaming apps, which they obviously don’t want to do), but keeps their smart TV online at all times.

    The article is right though, smart TV’s have always been (or at least rapidly became) a predatory marketing technique targeting the poor.

    • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
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      13 hours ago

      One of my monitor is a smart tv that I block internet access to. Only way to use one of these damn things. Unfortunately I looked into new tv and no seems to be selling the dumb ones.

      How long until they make it so you can’t even turn one on without internet access?

      • Taleya@aussie.zone
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        6 hours ago

        A lot of lower end smart tvs use droid so you can’t even use the cunt without singing up / in

      • _stranger_@lemmy.world
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        13 hours ago

        Im surprised it’s not already a requirement for every TV. Honestly, I think you have to buy a projector at this point to get something big and dumb.