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by vortico 1519 days ago
Wouldn't the free market simply provide modifications with the cell networking removed for an extra $50 or so? The "discount" you get from buying a smart TV verses a dumb TV (which is a niche product so it would cost hundreds more) would still be positive after subtracting the cost of modification.
1 comments
OrderlyTiamat 1519 days ago
> Wouldn't the free market simply provide modifications

The free market doesn't seem so keen on modifications, see phones, laptops etc. All walled gardens where even repair is discouraged.

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vortico 1519 days ago
How so? I can buy a modified Thinkpad (https://minifree.org/product/libre-t440p/ or http://www.cnmod.cn/x210/) because enough people demand it. If enough people demand dumb TVs but their niche prices far exceed smart TVs, then people will begin selling modified smart TVs without cell chips for mutually fair prices.
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