What really surprises me is that there are people who didn't see this coming. I mean really people, you're purchasing a device which requires an internet connection to a server you don't own.

I certainly didn't see this coming in 2014 when I paid $800+ and installed them. If they'd have said hey $5/year for each to keep them going, I'd have begrudgingly paid it and carried on...but now, Google will never get a dime from me again.