Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by jimmaswell 2537 days ago
What's so awful about a device having ads in it?
5 comments

Everything? Horrible user experience, privacy concerns, malware aplenty, and if it's a device I'm buying it's pretty sketchy behavior throwing ads in it, since I'm not going to know that before buying it or be able to do anything about it.
Paid devices vs. free internet service? One of these should definitely _not_ have advertising.
The ads
There was a recent count of some smart TV brand showing an advert on the on-screen volume slider.

How do you like them ads?

Update: https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?id=1416894724&subactio...

Do your child, since I cannot reply to them:

You have no evidence that the devices would be more expensive. Your only evidence is that the companies would receive less income all else being equal. But what is the evidence that the trade off is your eyeballs instead of your dollars? And if the tv is perfect except for the ads, where do you get the more expensive, ad free version?

You can buy "dumb panels" but they apparently cost more. Some of that is that they're rated for rougher conditions being mounted in public places though. And why can't you respond to me?
The devices would be more expensive otherwise. I don't really mind, especially in a case like this where you can just turn it off.
If you’re not paying for the device, you’re the product.
Which is good because this isn't a zero-sum game and I lose nothing by companies getting value out of me this way.