[2Gkashmiri]

I have an HP wifi printer, 5820 I think. I haven't signed in to HP, haven't connected the printer to cloud.

Same for anything else. I don't see the whole "oh you need firmware update to improve the product". 90% of the time it just works.

So what happens if the fridge isn't given internet access ? Or washing machine?

[bityard]

Companies are beginning to gate previously existing features behind the requirement to connect their devices to the cloud and/or install an app on your phone.

Dishwashers, refrigerators, even (and perhaps especially) cars.

"Just don't connect it to the Internet," is sadly less viable option as time goes on.

[GolfPopper]

>"Just don't connect it to the Internet," is sadly less viable option as time goes on.

I feel compelled to quibble with your word choice here. Not connecting appliances to the Internet remains a viable option. It is simply one that is increasingly not common or not readily available.

[subscribed]

I'm confused. This is what they said?

"less viable option as time goes on" is pretty much "remains a viable option, increasingly not common"

?

[GolfPopper]

This may just be me being idiosyncratic with vocabulary.

To me, "less viable" implies there some outside factor or internal failure preventing it from working. But non-internet appliances will continue to work just fine, if you can get one. I.e. it's a viable choice, just one with less and less availability.

[subscribed]

That's interesting, thanks!

[bzzzt]

> I haven't signed in to HP, haven't connected the printer to cloud.

HP fixed a remote exploit a few years back. Theoretically someone could use your local wifi printer to install a persistent backdoor on your network. In practice HP uses updates to patch leaks in their cartridge protection (the most complicated tech in the printers). And accidentally sometimes bricks printers...

[elorant]

Nothing, they just work as intended. I bought a Fujitsu A/C that supposedly required registering through some app. Never connected it, and I removed the wifi kit at installation. Works like a charm no problem whatsoever.