Built In Obsolescence
Discussion
I have a 55" Sony smart TV that is about 5 years old. I'm very happy with the picture and pretty much everything about it (except perhaps the smart interface which is a bit slow).
Last night whilst connecting to Amazon a message pops up telling me that as of some date in September this device will no longer be supported. Why I wonder?
I have no wish to add yet another box (or plug in dongle) that will have to be purchased at my expense just to receive Amazon. I also have no wish or need to replace the TV. So congratulations Amazon, you have just lost a customer.
Compared to Netflix your user interface and selection of available films (inclusive in the Prime cost) is very poor anyway.
Last night whilst connecting to Amazon a message pops up telling me that as of some date in September this device will no longer be supported. Why I wonder?
I have no wish to add yet another box (or plug in dongle) that will have to be purchased at my expense just to receive Amazon. I also have no wish or need to replace the TV. So congratulations Amazon, you have just lost a customer.
Compared to Netflix your user interface and selection of available films (inclusive in the Prime cost) is very poor anyway.
I've had this too recently. Got the email from Amazon saying the smart Sony tv would no longer be supported. I've long seen a TV as a glorified monitor. With regards to generating content, f it does freeviewhd then I'm happy. Everything else is run through an Apple TV (airplayed or with the apps) and then I have a BR player. That pretty much deals with all the content that I watch. I have a computer that I can play through the TV as well but that is more for content storage and streaming purposes and I rarely use it at a desktop level.
You can probably pick up a used Apple TV for not horrendous money. Or other attachable box that will do the same thing.
You can probably pick up a used Apple TV for not horrendous money. Or other attachable box that will do the same thing.
Sford said:
..... I've long seen a TV as a glorified monitor......
This, I bought my TV knowing full well that none of the smart features where best of breed by a long shot. PVR, apps, DNLA.... all bettered by a dedicated device to do the job. I use a PC running kodi for all my catchup and media needs and a proper PVR for the TV and recordings.Never bought a Smart TV for this very reason. It's hard/expensive for them to update the TV's firmware/software itself, which in turn makes it difficult for the likes of Amazon to keep updating their apps while trying to balance out of date software running on the TV itself.
You're far better off buying a standard TV, and pluging in smarter devices to it. FYI, my YouView box has an Amazon app on it as well as iPlayer and Netflix and it's faultless.
You're far better off buying a standard TV, and pluging in smarter devices to it. FYI, my YouView box has an Amazon app on it as well as iPlayer and Netflix and it's faultless.
sgtBerbatov said:
Never bought a Smart TV for this very reason. It's hard/expensive for them to update the TV's firmware/software itself, which in turn makes it difficult for the likes of Amazon to keep updating their apps while trying to balance out of date software running on the TV itself.
You're far better off buying a standard TV, and pluging in smarter devices to it. FYI, my YouView box has an Amazon app on it as well as iPlayer and Netflix and it's faultless.
There are few decent sized TVs that aren't 'smart' these days.. but you don't need to use the features You're far better off buying a standard TV, and pluging in smarter devices to it. FYI, my YouView box has an Amazon app on it as well as iPlayer and Netflix and it's faultless.
Some brands (Sony is one of them actually) don't have a smart app for some services because the won't pay the licencing. Think it's 4od or ITV player.
If there is one that you particularly want it might be worth looking for that as a feature. Although you'll still be faced with the same problem in a few years. Stick to some sort of smart stick.
My tv's have a lifespan of around 6 years I think. Not through intention but after that I tend to fancy something new. Currently can get a good price on one of the Loewe 65inch jobs but not sure I want to go that big. Big TV's are a bit council.
If there is one that you particularly want it might be worth looking for that as a feature. Although you'll still be faced with the same problem in a few years. Stick to some sort of smart stick.
My tv's have a lifespan of around 6 years I think. Not through intention but after that I tend to fancy something new. Currently can get a good price on one of the Loewe 65inch jobs but not sure I want to go that big. Big TV's are a bit council.
Edited by Sford on Friday 2nd August 16:22
Had the same thing with my Sony Bravia recently. Amazon no longer supporting the app. It was old and crap anyway (the app, not the TV, it was Sony's flagship in 2014 and still performs quite nicely IMHO).
I just use the Xbox for Netflix, Amazon, YouTube etc. now.
Why can't the apps update on the TV though? Like they do on the Xbox etc.? Do more modern TV's have their apps updated?
I just use the Xbox for Netflix, Amazon, YouTube etc. now.
Why can't the apps update on the TV though? Like they do on the Xbox etc.? Do more modern TV's have their apps updated?
Drew106 said:
Had the same thing with my Sony Bravia recently. Amazon no longer supporting the app. It was old and crap anyway (the app, not the TV, it was Sony's flagship in 2014 and still performs quite nicely IMHO).
I just use the Xbox for Netflix, Amazon, YouTube etc. now.
Why can't the apps update on the TV though? Like they do on the Xbox etc.? Do more modern TV's have their apps updated?
It will depend on the operating system running on the tv and the support the current app has. They aren't going to keep developing an app for an old system and old tv when new ones are coming out. That and the speed that new features come out means the the obsolescence is speeding up. It would take a team of people writing/coding the app to work. Old tv's might not support features of the new app version. Plus the cynic in you might say that they want you buying a new tv more often so instead of it lasting 5-10 years it lasts 2. People used to scoff at the shops that allow you to rent your tv but we're heading down that route with cars. Before you know it you'll be paying a lease to have the latest tv on your wall! Or at least some may. I just use the Xbox for Netflix, Amazon, YouTube etc. now.
Why can't the apps update on the TV though? Like they do on the Xbox etc.? Do more modern TV's have their apps updated?
We bought a new telly 3 or 4 years ago for the lounge, a 42" Panasonic LCD. NOthing fancy as we have a projector in the lounge for films etc.
I didn't buy it for the apps but I was pleased it had Netflix built in. This app worked for about 3 months then just refused to load. Absolute crap for a 3 month old telly.
I have a couple of Roku express boxes which are fantastic. Prime, Netflix, Now TV, BBC, Itv, 4od, you tube.... Everything I can think of is on there and they are cheap, £25 each.
The only downside is yet another remote... And repeatedly trying to teach the missus that she needs to change the Amp to use roku.
I didn't buy it for the apps but I was pleased it had Netflix built in. This app worked for about 3 months then just refused to load. Absolute crap for a 3 month old telly.
I have a couple of Roku express boxes which are fantastic. Prime, Netflix, Now TV, BBC, Itv, 4od, you tube.... Everything I can think of is on there and they are cheap, £25 each.
The only downside is yet another remote... And repeatedly trying to teach the missus that she needs to change the Amp to use roku.
it’s not Amazon you should be aiming your frustrations at, its Sony, if anyone! The OS on the TV is too old and likely hasn’t been updated by Sony in years!Jesus, there must be a case for returning these products as faulty if after 3 months they stop functioning as advertised?
eta, of course it won't happen, probably, until Trading Standards get involved and legislation is passed, let's face it...
eta, of course it won't happen, probably, until Trading Standards get involved and legislation is passed, let's face it...
Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 3rd August 07:54
Fact of life now.
Once the good old CRT was consigned to the tip (with the hernia taking it there), this was always on the cards. BBC and Netflix never sorted out a few apps on mine even when it was new. Got myself an Apple TV and it does all the app stuff now. Few years down the line, I will probably have to buy another, depends how long this will last even after they stop updating it.
Once the good old CRT was consigned to the tip (with the hernia taking it there), this was always on the cards. BBC and Netflix never sorted out a few apps on mine even when it was new. Got myself an Apple TV and it does all the app stuff now. Few years down the line, I will probably have to buy another, depends how long this will last even after they stop updating it.
Oilchange said:
Jesus, there must be a case for returning these products as faulty if after 3 months they stop functioning as advertised?
eta, of course it won't happen, probably, until Trading Standards get involved and legislation is passed, let's face it...
I did think about it but its a really good telly other than that. Lots of people comment on the PQ although, it was only a 400 quid jobbie from John Lewis so not a high end one. Mind you, as someone else said, I consider it to be a monitor really as have an AV system, freesat, PC, BR and roku, don't even have an aerial plugged in. eta, of course it won't happen, probably, until Trading Standards get involved and legislation is passed, let's face it...
Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 3rd August 07:54
It does have 2 remotes, one with voice control that is frankly awful and has been used twice.
It's not very 'Green' is it?
In a world where we are frowned upon for using disposable coffee cups or using polythene bags, a TV manufacturer expects us to throw away a TV when it is a couple of years old and buy another one just because they won't update an app!! Very eco friendly. Yes, I know it can be got around by throwing money at it and getting a Firestick or another set top box. But after paying £2.5k for the TV I find it unpalatable that I have to spend even more just to retain functionality that was used to market the TV in the first place.
I would expect a ten year life out of any piece of consumer white goods. A previous poster mentioned apps on a laptop or phone. At least Microsoft support their operating systems for some 10 years (Apple, 10 minutes!!) and I could still use older versions of office and access the internet even on NT4 if I wanted to. My guess is that the corporate user is a harder sell for obsolescence than a domestic consumer is. We just have to grin and accept it.
Yet another situation that pushes people toward illegally downloading the content they want to watch if their TV wont receive it through no fault of their own.
In a world where we are frowned upon for using disposable coffee cups or using polythene bags, a TV manufacturer expects us to throw away a TV when it is a couple of years old and buy another one just because they won't update an app!! Very eco friendly. Yes, I know it can be got around by throwing money at it and getting a Firestick or another set top box. But after paying £2.5k for the TV I find it unpalatable that I have to spend even more just to retain functionality that was used to market the TV in the first place.
I would expect a ten year life out of any piece of consumer white goods. A previous poster mentioned apps on a laptop or phone. At least Microsoft support their operating systems for some 10 years (Apple, 10 minutes!!) and I could still use older versions of office and access the internet even on NT4 if I wanted to. My guess is that the corporate user is a harder sell for obsolescence than a domestic consumer is. We just have to grin and accept it.
Yet another situation that pushes people toward illegally downloading the content they want to watch if their TV wont receive it through no fault of their own.
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