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I kind of like all of the computers in my car. The computer control of fuel injection, for instance, has boosted mileage and dramatically reduced pollution. The

I kind of like all of the computers in my car. The computer control of fuel injection, for instance, has boosted mileage and dramatically reduced pollution. There are dozens of smart chips that are saving lives and cleaning the environment. So, you can demonize it by invoking the patent office or software IP, but if that's part of the trade off, well, I'm generally willing to make it.

thr0wawayf00 4y ago
What happens when the automaker updates the software in your car to charge you a monthly fee in order to use those same computerized components? This is already happening, most recently with Toyota putting its remote start feature behind a monthly subscription paywall[0]. Imagine buying a car that had all the features you want, only to get an email 6 months later that you now need to pay a subscription to continue using those very same features. 0: https://www.thedrive.com/news/43329/toyota-made-its-key-fob-remote-start-into-a-subscription-service https://www.thedrive.com/news/43329/toyota-made-its-key-fob-...
- slt2021 4y ago
  it doesnt work exactly like that. when you buy a car, you can either pay full price for a feature, lets say heated seats for $4000, or you can purchase subscription for $80/mo, or you may opt out of that feature, save money and it will be disabled programmatically in your car. Just as if car was never supplied with heating element for seats. yet your car will still be shipped with heated seats - just because it is cheaper to do that for manufacturing purposes. Cheaper to equip all cars with the standard heated seats, than manufacture two model of seats: with and without heating. plus you can always subscribe for that feature any day post purchase, so there is no downside for manufacturer. you get what you pay for. you can always pay upfront for the feature and will never have to pay subscription

thr0wawayf00 4y ago

What happens when the automaker updates the software in your car to charge you a monthly fee in order to use those same computerized components? This is already happening, most recently with Toyota putting its remote start feature behind a monthly subscription paywall[0]. Imagine buying a car that had all the features you want, only to get an email 6 months later that you now need to pay a subscription to continue using those very same features. 0: https://www.thedrive.com/news/43329/toyota-made-its-key-fob-remote-start-into-a-subscription-service https://www.thedrive.com/news/43329/toyota-made-its-key-fob-...

slt2021 4y ago
it doesnt work exactly like that. when you buy a car, you can either pay full price for a feature, lets say heated seats for $4000, or you can purchase subscription for $80/mo, or you may opt out of that feature, save money and it will be disabled programmatically in your car. Just as if car was never supplied with heating element for seats. yet your car will still be shipped with heated seats - just because it is cheaper to do that for manufacturing purposes. Cheaper to equip all cars with the standard heated seats, than manufacture two model of seats: with and without heating. plus you can always subscribe for that feature any day post purchase, so there is no downside for manufacturer. you get what you pay for. you can always pay upfront for the feature and will never have to pay subscription