Q&A: Rachel Plotnick On the Return of Tactile Controls
spectrum.ieee.org
Rachel Plotnick's "re-buttonization" expertise is in demand
  • DaddleDew@lemmy.worldEnglish
    731·
    3 days ago

    I’m so glad I kept my car and weathered through this shitty phase of car manufacturing.

    If only there was hope for weathering through the data collection, subscription-based features and the death of sedans though…

    • pinkystew@reddthat.comEnglish
      291·
      3 days ago

      I asked a dealer for a dumb-car. No fucking auto 911 dialing, bluetooth enabled, GPS service horseshit, just a normal car and he shot me

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      3·
      3 days ago

      Well, there are some strategies:

      • data collection - remove/disable the antenna/broadcasting chip - in some cars it’s as easy as removing a fuse, in others you need to take things apart to remove the TCU or modem
      • subscription-based features - don’t buy them and look for hacks to enabled them w/o buying
      • death of sedans - buy sedans

      Unfortunately, that’s a drop in the bucket since it seems the market in general wants larger cars with more spyware, and aren’t pushing back enough on subscription BS.

      I’m actively looking for a car, and unfortunately the process is:

      1. find models we want to try out
      2. look up online about how to disable the spyware nonsense
      3. actually go look at cars
      4. repeat from 1 as necessary
      5. play dealership games because the private used market is essentially gone
      6. actually remove spyware

      We’re on step 3, and I’m not looking forward to step 5. I’ve actually never purchased from a dealer before, because I’ve bought everything before now from a private seller. Wish me luck…

    • AlexWIWA@lemmy.mlEnglish
      1·
      3 days ago

      Get any Infiniti with a 3g antenna. The network doesn’t exist anymore so it can’t phone home.