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I think hardware companies realize more and more that hardware doesnt create recurring revenue. The best way to extract revenue from customers? add software! Pe
by S_A_P 7y ago
I think hardware companies realize more and more that hardware doesnt create recurring revenue. The best way to extract revenue from customers? add software! Peloton bikes? check- you can have a local only profile, but if you want to really work out you gotta subscribe!
Sonos? check- we cant have this perfectly good soundbar functioning into perpetuity, software to the rescue!
- NoPicklez 7y agoYou are very cynical but this was actually Sonos’s original marketing pitch. Since day one, they haven’t been secret about it. The idea is that they release one set of GOOD speakers and improve it through software, which they have. In fact my speakers sound better than when I first bought them due to the new functionality they’ve added.
- S_A_P 7y agoCynical where appropriate. Not everyone deprecates hardware with software...
- NoPicklez 7y agoRight, but if that's their business model and you don't agree with it, then perhaps don't buy their products. Depreciate is also a matter of opinion, my speakers work better than they did when I first purchased them. So for me they haven't been depreciated with software.
- S_A_P 7y agoI do vote with the wallet where I can for sure. If you were able to build or do something to enhance you speakers you are in the minority of users of consumer hardware. If Sonos/brand x has done that, GREAT! but what happens when they get tired of doing that and add some arbitrary line in the sand where the latest version of the app will not support your speakers. The best case scenario here is that you have a device that can be frozen in time to support the devices of that period. The worst case is you have to recycle or likely landfill that device. Sorry that is an awful scenario any way you slice it.