Latest grab by auto manufactures

[mikester]

The way to deal with that is to not buy their crap.

A year ago I was reading something about how people were sick and tired of all the software companies switching to subscriptions instead of standalone software.
I remember feeling very good about not using any microsoft or apple garbage.
In Linux there is more and better software and all of it is free.
I tell people this all the time. I show them my OS and let them play with it, I show them the various software packages etc.. So far I have achieved a conversion rate of ZERO.

People are funny. They get used to taking the beating and actually experience discomfort at the prospect of no more beatings, no more abuse, opening their cage fills them with dread.

More and better software and it's all for free? BS

You can get free software on all OS's. Vast majority of titles are crapware.

 

[paulfun9]

I don't understand why anyone would even want Onstar anymore. Doesn't a smartphone do everything, and more, then OnStar? Seems to me OnStar is more about monitoring YOU, so they can send you "alerts" to take your car to the dealer for over priced servicing, when they determine it's needed.

My bigger issue is the "dumbing down" of the average American consumer where people can't (or don't) calculate fee's into the price of something. Great examples are the town, municipal, state fee's (e.g. taxes), banking fee's, cell phone fee's, cable TV fee's etc., that get tacked onto the proclaimed "cost".

I'm starting to push back. My bank is my first target. They currently hold 6-digits of my money, but feel compelled to charge me a $30 monthly fee for "services". Next are the "convenience fee's" for paying on-line. Convenient for whom? I can just as easily make them send me a monthly bill, by which I'll snail mail them a check that they then need to process and deposit. Seems to me I should be the one getting a discount for being inconvenienced as I spend my time to pay on-line to save them the of hassle of someone having to process a check, plus they get their money sooner! Am I missing something here?

I guess as I get older, I'm starting to turn into a curmudgeon, because I'm starting to push back on the obvious BS.

One of our banks tried to start charging fees for every and any thing they could when they changed ownership.

People around here must be smarter because they are now closed down and a new branch office for our other bank opened up right in town.

If they charge fees move your money and talk to anyone who will listen and hope they learn also!

 

[IndyJay]

More and better software and it's all for free? BS

You can get free software on all OS's. Vast majority of titles are crapware.

Anytime the product is free then you are the product. They collect and sell data that the device/software collects on you.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Every time I hear about these new car remote control / ownership "features", my '86 3WD Vanagon Synchro Westy becomes more valuable to me.
Can't turn the heater seats off remotely, does not have any.
But it will take me dang near anywhere and give me good bed when I get there.

I passed a Westfalia on the highway yesterday, pale yellow with Rhode Island plates, it was gorgeous.

 

[Raul-02]

Remote diagnostics is included.

what you describe may be worth the cost. I don't have that on my truck. I have GPS that I can update for way cheaper than I could my BMW

 

[Raul-02]

Emission Testing pulls old cars off the road... it was not always that way.

I am in the people's republic of New Jersey I have a placard for a 20 year old vehicle that announces to any LEO who stops me that I no longer need inspections.

 

[Jstpssng]

Doesn't a smartphone do everything, and more, then OnStar?

Smartphones don't work without data service... which is spotty here.
That is one of my biggest fears; will autos someday become so reliant on external service that they don't run without it?
I can drive 10 miles in any direction and lose cell service; and based on my experience with satellite based services that can also be dicey depending on cloud cover, trees, and hills.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Smartphones don't work without data service... which is spotty here.
That is one of my biggest fears; will autos someday become so reliant on external service that they don't run without it?
I can drive 10 miles in any direction and lose cell service; and based on my experience with satellite based services that can also be dicey depending on cloud cover, trees, and hills.

That's why we ought to all to all let ourselves be pushed into more populated areas, for our own good, and for the good of the environment or some such.

 

[MossRoad]

I don't understand why anyone would even want Onstar anymore. Doesn't a smartphone do everything, and more, then OnStar? Seems to me OnStar is more about monitoring YOU, so they can send you "alerts" to take your car to the dealer for over priced servicing, when they determine it's needed.

My bigger issue is the "dumbing down" of the average American consumer where people can't (or don't) calculate fee's into the price of something. Great examples are the town, municipal, state fee's (e.g. taxes), banking fee's, cell phone fee's, cable TV fee's etc., that get tacked onto the proclaimed "cost".

I'm starting to push back. My bank is my first target. They currently hold 6-digits of my money, but feel compelled to charge me a $30 monthly fee for "services". Next are the "convenience fee's" for paying on-line. Convenient for whom? I can just as easily make them send me a monthly bill, by which I'll snail mail them a check that they then need to process and deposit. Seems to me I should be the one getting a discount for being inconvenienced as I spend my time to pay on-line to save them the of hassle of someone having to process a check, plus they get their money sooner! Am I missing something here?

I guess as I get older, I'm starting to turn into a curmudgeon, because I'm starting to push back on the obvious BS.

When you get in a bad car accident, your phone goes flying and is of little use. On Star will detect the crash and call automatically.

When your car is stolen, your cell phone isn’t likely inside of it. On Star can locate your car quickly for police. It can also shut your car down in a controlled manner, so it basically slows down to a crawl.

It can also disable the ignition, so once it’s shut off, it can’t be restarted.

If you lock yourself out of your car, On Star can open it for you. Cell phone can’t without an app. And if you lock your phone and keys in the car, you can borrow someone else’s phone and call On Star to have them open if for you.

So there are advantages to On Star Vs a cell phone.

 

[IndyJay]

That's why we ought to all to all let ourselves be pushed into more populated areas, for our own good, and for the good of the environment or some such.

So that we can "own nothing and be happy"...
Funny that the wealthy elite that are buying up everything keep telling us that the true path to happiness is to own nothing. Also, that we should let them make all of our decisions for us. Kind of like pets or slaves. No thanks, I'll take a pass. The woke sheep are welcome to accept the "free handouts" from their masters like a dog begging for scraps.