[ms7m]

This is especially annoying and just incredibly creepy -- I was watching a clip of Smiling Friends on YouTube (via my Apple TV), and I suddenly got a banner telling me to watch this on HBO Max.

I never felt more motivated to pi-hole the TV.

[gruez]

>I never felt more motivated to pi-hole the TV.

Or just disconnect from the internet entirely? You already have an apple tv. Why does your tv need internet access?

[hotstickyballs]

TVs tend to incessantly ask for internet access, especially android ones.

[loloquwowndueo]

Then don’t buy an Android tv?

[scheeseman486]

The problem with 'well just don't buy it' is that in many product categories, enshittification has become so entrenched that there are no longer options to avoid it. The availablity of product features is driven by market forces, if it's no longer profitable to sell a TV that doesn't require online connectivity for the purposes of ads, then such TVs will no longer be sold.

Alternatives like using monitors designed for digital signage come with drawbacks. Expense, they don't have desirable features like VRR, HDR or high refresh rates, since they aren't needed for those use cases. Older TV models will break and supply will dry up.

In the long term, this problem, not just TVs but the commercial exploitation of user data across virtually all electronic devices sold, isn't something that can be solved with a boycott, or by consumers buying more selectively. The practice needs to be killed with legislation.

[loloquwowndueo]

Good point. I’ll just argue about HDR and high frame rates being desirable features :) I don’t even know what VRR is.

[zie]

VRR is Variable refresh rates, so if there is nothing going on in the content, they can bring the refresh rate down and save processing, thermal issues and energy. If there is a lot going on(say a game), they can ramp the refresh rate back up super high.

There are a few different "standards" around VRR, not every device supports all of them.

[cluckindan]

Some TVs have a dedicated mobile connection, there is a SIM card and baseband radio inside. Of course only they can use it, not you.

[bannana2033]

You mean they pay for data charges? Don't be stupid.

[bluGill]

Data doesn't cost that much. They are buying in bulk for lower priority access. That is a very different cost from what you pay for your phone data.

[gruez]

Source? This sort of conspiracy started with "smart tvs will connect to open wifi networks", then evolved to "it uses amazon sidewalk", and apparently now morphed into "tvs have 5g modems". Given how poorly supported the prior claims were, that does not bode well for the 5G claim.

[devsda]

Isn't that one of the marketed advantages of 5G. Lot of smart IoT devices including TVs being able to connect independently.

What we are lacking is implementation but the tech and probably the intent was always there. If HDMI ethernet connectivity(HEC) had gained traction, we would have seen a fire stick, apple tv or roku providing internet to your tv without asking for explicit consent.

[dzhiurgis]

Sounds obvious for TV manufacturers to do this if they plan to spy on you and sell ads you can't hide. Same with locking down firmware.

[aembleton]

Cheaper to just use the wifi access that 99% of TVs will be given.

[cluckindan]

You said 5G, not me

[gruez]

I agree that I misquoted you, but that's a distinction without a difference in this context. "SIM card and baseband radio inside" means 5G, 4G, 3G, whatever. I still demand that you produce proof that there are TVs with "SIM card and baseband radio inside".

[pests]

I was curious so I did some research. These devices do seem to be being produced, currently mostly overseas. The inclusion of 5G support does not seem to be hidden or nefarious. They provide a SIM card slot just like your phone would. Some models are incorporating a built-in router to provide connectivity to other devices. It seems like the cellular companies are promoting these TV's too, with built in service.

My opinion is this is just a consolidation of devices. I have many friends who live off their phone data plan giving hotspot to the TV and other devices. Now being moved into a common device format, the TV. I don't think they can spy any more effectively this way. Eexcept via the router integration that gives them way more access, but I'm sure this exists already as a wifi feature on tvs. Just technology trudging along. Perhaps they have a secret sim card or esim embedded, that might be a risk as the hardware is already there for a valid reason.

[netsharc]

Every time the topic is TV on HN someone repeats this conspiracy or that "it'll happen soon!"...

This place like a flat-earther gathering sometimes.

[danielscrubs]

You could try getting an European TV, at least then it will ask and you can say no.

[ribosometronome]

A banner from Apple or your TV trying to navigate you back to its own HBO app?

[the_gastropod]

The latter. In addition to being creepy, it’s such a horrible “feature”. I can’t imagine who thought it was a good idea.