https://slrpnk.net/u/porksnort

USB port.

Internet access is absolutely not required for any technical reason

Unrealistic. Not everyone is technically savvy enough to download firmware updates from a website just to put on a USB stick. It’s intimidating to users and takes too many steps thus making it an inconvenience to the customer. Users much rather just call up a number and have a tech fix it remotely.

Additionally, it takes time for firmware updates that contains fixes to get uploaded to a website, so it would really piss users off to have an inop device in the meantime. Much easier and faster to call up a tech and have them fix it remotely.

Also, USB sticks would require the user to get to a computer, which they may not have, and the manufacturer would have to install a USB port on the device itself. I see your point from a security standpoint, but I can’t see a manufacturer spending more on a slower, user-error prone, and in many ways outdated, tech just for the sake of security and privacy

One thought on “

  1. People plug devices into their computers daily for charging and updates.

    They can visit websites. They have a robot vacuum ffs, they have a computer.

    And firmware can be updated by Bluetooth from a phone and BT on the vac can be turned off when unneeded.

    This reasoning is specious. There is no intrinsic reason for any home appliance to need unfettered internet access. Tech bros may want 24/7 upskirt photos of their users, but we don’t have to accept their requests.

    We give up nothing by insisting on privacy in our homes. We can have all the cool things without giving it up.

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