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djoldman 3 days ago

For the tech-savvy, I'm not too worried about smart TVs. I just do this:

> If you want premium image quality or sound, you’re better off using a smart TV offline.

In the future, if they add e-sims, we'll just remove them or de-solder or whatever.

The real risk is cars: if they start not working without cell network connections.

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__MatrixMan__ 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

> we'll just remove them or de-solder or whatever

If we continue giving money to people who build malware into the products, the malware will eventually be baked in deeply enough that the rest of the device will refuse to operate if it can't phone home to the ministry of truth or wherever.

	▲	Arn_Thor 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		That is inevitable. Too many people ship only on price and we’ll never reach sufficient mass

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scosman 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Offline smart TVs are great. As long as they support wake over CEC, they are close enough to a dumb display connected to an Apple TV.

I let my latest LG TV on the network, but block internet access at the router. HomeKit integration (Siri turn off tv), Chromecast, Airplay, and other local services all work, without the ability for it to phone home.

	▲	b-star 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		I do this too, works great. Sometimes I cry remembering all the money I wasted on TV’s “smart” features but I’ll take the small win.

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sfilmeyer 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I feel like there's a bit of a jump from "tech-savvy" to de-soldering things on an expensive piece of home electronics. As it stands now, though, I agree that turning off the smart TV features seems to be the way to go for most people.

	▲	3 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		[deleted]
	▲	djoldman 3 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Ha, yea it's been awhile since I've done that. Although if I was annoyed enough I might take one apart.

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lkbm 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> The real risk is cars: if they start not working without cell network connections.

Given how limited cell service is in a lot of the US, I think we're a ways off from this.

	▲	RunningDroid 3 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Not too far off, apparently 5G modems on T-mobile's service can try using StarLink now https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/satellite-phone-service
	▲	djoldman 3 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I really hope so! But also, it's unlikely I'll live long enough where keeping an older vehicle won't be an option.

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yojo 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I just want a panel. I’m already doing what the article suggests (running a Hisense offline with a media box), but my TV still crashes a few times a month and needs to be power-cycled/takes about a minute to reboot.

There’s just no reason for this. You have one job: Take my signal and display it. Anything else is just another place for things to go wrong.

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haarolean 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

ha good luck. they already aggressively scan and use public wi-fi networks and have everything shipped on a chonky SoC

	▲	orangecat 3 days ago \| parent \| next [-]
		they already aggressively scan and use public wi-fi networks This is commonly repeated and but as far as I can tell nobody has actually demonstrated it.
	▲	throwaway94275 3 days ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		there hasn't been any open wifi networks around me in over a decade and i live in a decently populated area. that's not a thing any more unless you're at a place of business and even then it's rare.