[dboreham]

> avoid devices that require subscription

This is fine if the device is stand-alone. But if its operation depends on any back end service, then your choice makes it inevitable that it will cease operating at some point in the future. Nobody, no matter how drugged-up their marketing folks are, is going to provide that service forever for no charge.

[reverendsteveii]

Then it makes an awful lot of sense to get that service for free/at a one-time cost until their marketing team sobers up, doesn't it? It's only a bait and switch if they switch before I get the bait.