[JohnBooty]

Ah, I see the misunderstanding.

The "smart" functionality is how they achieve low prices. They subsidize the cost of the TV by selling your usage data. They may have deals with app providers as well - similar to how the price of a consumer laptop is subsidized by preloaded crapware.

[tolbish]

Suppose we were onto something?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24666968

[tolbish]

Come to think of it, I believe those brands for dumb, cheaper TVs exist. Check out Sceptre TVs. I will make sure I grab one for my next replacement.