• foggy@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    We need consumer protections here, though.

    Like 10 year money back guarantee or something. If the device becomes unusable due to actions outside of the device owners control, those in control should be obligated to reimburse.

    Not doing so opens the doors to racketeering.

      • foggy@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        I mean I haven’t seen it yet but for a simple example, imagine a Netflix competitor that says you just buy the device for $5,000. One time purchase. Free ad-free tv forever.

        Let’s say they get enough subscribers purchasers to profit by year 3.

        Okay. Rug pull. Chapter 11. Sorry bye, thanks for all the fish.

    • SapphironZA@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      I vote for forced open sourcing of the server side components and communication protocols. That way people can create custom firmware or build support into generic NVRs

      • Feathercrown@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Most customers would not be able to take advantage of this because they lack the skills to do so.

        • conciselyverbose@sh.itjust.works
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          4 months ago

          You don’t need every consumer to roll their own. If they’re obligated to provide server code, or an API, or whatever, stuff that sells at scale can be integrated into community projects. If you buy something obscure you might have issues, but you have options if you buy something mainstream and get the rug pulled.

          • Feathercrown@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            Right, but what I’m saying is how many people do you think will be able to track down the new open-source project and connect it to their hardware?

            • conciselyverbose@sh.itjust.works
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              4 months ago

              You don’t think it will be mentioned in any of the articles about the hardware being abandoned?

              But community projects would very likely also allow third parties to provide services that handled the legwork for customers if they preferred as well.

            • Natanael@slrpnk.net
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              4 months ago

              Because if the community solutions are good enough then half the articles about the shutdown will mention it

            • SapphironZA@sh.itjust.works
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              4 months ago

              Word does spread and if there are enough of a group, people will likely setup 3rd party hosting solutions around supporting abandoned abut functional products.

              But the secondary effect is likely to be that companies support their products for much longer.

              • Feathercrown@lemmy.world
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                4 months ago

                If companies do that then it’s useful. Otherwise, open servers is a good thing, but is only a true solution for smart home hobbyists.