Smart TV

[Kevin]

We bought a new TV. They are all smart TV’s these days. It’s kind of funny, we’ve been looking for one for a while. I looked at a few reviews for different televisions. One reviewer said whatever brand it was that it’s a good “beginner’s tv.” I thought that was funny.

So immediately after turning on, it connects to the WiFi. Then it downloads an update. Twice. And restarts. Twice.

Then you MUST agree to the license agreement…if you want to use the television that is.

It wanted to know what room the tv is in. I said office (it isn’t.)

I declined the option to have my viewing history tracked. But had to agree to the smart tv data privacy. Not sure what that is, but again, I had to if I wanted to watch tv.

Then I got a “Welcome to the LG family.” I felt so warm and coddled.

Our lives are tracked.

Netflix has a great series about the demise of the future though technology. “Black Mirror.” Pretty interesting stuff.

But this new tv is pretty great. Lots and lots of free content. Tons of free stuff in fact. But the free stuff has commercials I think I’ll pass.

I guess I’m mostly interested in what happens with all the data being collected?

 

[GunnyGene]

Targeted advertising, custom tailored to you based on what you watch. That also get's sold to many other companies who will send you tons of junk e-mail.

 

[Jeepnik]

You’re obviously using the internet whoever wants your info already has it.

 

[MaxMan]

Yeah, ever talk about something on the phone and next thing you get a pop up add for it.

 

[KIR]

If it is so smart why does it still interrupt what I am watching with ads? Why does the sound still go up higher whenever an ad comes on?

 

[Huskerguy72]

I was at the farm a while back and thr BIL had purchased a new riding mower. We were sitting in the house and asked him to show me the new unit. We looked around a bit and went back inside. A few minutes later I started getting ads on my FB feed from that exact manufacturer.

Just yesterday my wife and I were sitting in our living room and talking. The TV was on and I have no idea what it was, I think a ball game. Anyway, Lexa comes on and starts talking to us like she wanted to be part if the conversation and had something to say. I told here to shut up and she did.

Make no mistake, every bit of information obtained electronically and it is a lot is being stored, Google has several sites. It I'd massive. Yes it is used for marketing but it is also used to target you as a person. Scary stuff.

 

[vito]

I've been told that some places can activate the camera on your computer or phone or tablet without it being indicated to the person holding the device. Maybe someone is watching you as you type in a comment of this forum. If they are watching me, at least I know that they will not bother sending me ads for fancy clothes or whatever based upon what I am wearing 99% of the time. Maybe I'll get ads for TV shirts with holes in them and baggy pajama pants.

 

[dchmule]

My wife and I were talking about needing a new rug for the living room. Only talk, no searching or even comments were made online. The next day we started getting pop-ups for area rugs. That wasn't the first or last time that has happened but memorable because we only had the one conversation about a new rug.

 

[Johnnu2]

We bought a new TV. They are all smart TV's these days. It's kind of funny, we've been looking for one for a while. I looked at a few reviews for different televisions. One reviewer said whatever brand it was that it's a good "beginner's tv." I thought that was funny.

So immediately after turning on, it connects to the WiFi. Then it downloads an update. Twice. And restarts. Twice.

Then you MUST agree to the license agreement…if you want to use the television that is.

It wanted to know what room the tv is in. I said office (it isn't.)

I declined the option to have my viewing history tracked. But had to agree to the smart tv data privacy. Not sure what that is, but again, I had to if I wanted to watch tv.

Then I got a "Welcome to the LG family." I felt so warm and coddled.

Our lives are tracked.

Netflix has a great series about the demise of the future though technology. "Black Mirror." Pretty interesting stuff.

But this new tv is pretty great. Lots and lots of free content. Tons of free stuff in fact. But the free stuff has commercials I think I'll pass.

I guess I'm mostly interested in what happens with all the data being collected?

Kevin, does it automatically connect to your WiFI WITHOUT you giving it the password..?

J

 

[Kevin]

Kevin, does it automatically connect to your WiFI WITHOUT you giving it the password..?

J

No, I just said immediately because that was the first step. It hadn’t asked for any other inputs.

 

[Johnnu2]

Scary stuff for this old guy.
Just hope all our old junk lasts to the end of the runway...........

J.

 

[edm1]

We went to Walmart a few years ago looking for a TV. Guy kept telling us all about smart tv. I asked if they sold a dumb tv. I just want to turn it on and change the Chanel and turn it off. They don’t make those anymore.

 

[Gator89]

We went to Walmart a few years ago looking for a TV. Guy kept telling us all about smart tv. I asked if they sold a dumb tv. I just want to turn it on and change the Chanel and turn it off. They don't make those anymore.

attach a digital antenna and you can do exactly that.

 

[mirglip]

I'm glad I don't have an I phone or a teevee. I don't need either one and if I did have one I'd use it for target practice.

 

[vito]

I never realized how many Luddites we have hear on the forum, seemingly unwilling to accept the advantages of modern technology. Having a smart phone can be a lifesaving move. You can keep it turned off when you don't need it, but it is available when needed. Sort of like why many of us carry a concealed firearm.

Several weeks ago I visited one of my sons who had just moved to the Boston area. If I did not have a smart phone with GPS navigation I am not sure how I would have ever found his home. All of the local streets are twisty short streets, and from when I left the main highway I literally had to make over 20 turns on to different roads and streets before I reached his home. Having just moved there, my son would not have been able to give me verbal directions at all. With my Iphone and using the Maps feature, it was a piece of cake. I can't imagine why I would not want to take advantage of such advances.

 

[Johnnu2]

I never realized how many Luddites we have hear on the forum, seemingly unwilling to accept the advantages of modern technology. Having a smart phone can be a lifesaving move. You can keep it turned off when you don't need it, but it is available when needed. Sort of like why many of us carry a concealed firearm.

Several weeks ago I visited one of my sons who had just moved to the Boston area. If I did not have a smart phone with GPS navigation I am not sure how I would have ever found his home. All of the local streets are twisty short streets, and from when I left the main highway I literally had to make over 20 turns on to different roads and streets before I reached his home. Having just moved there, my son would not have been able to give me verbal directions at all. With my Iphone and using the Maps feature, it was a piece of cake. I can't imagine why I would not want to take advantage of such advances.

Thankfully, I didn't have to google "luddites" again....
I've used my Garmin GPS for many years...... On occasion, I stop and ask for directions (not in Chicago, NYC, S.F., Portland etc etc)
On very rare occasions I use my flip-phone just to show I'm "in the know".
J.

 

[mirglip]

One of the advantages of modern technology is that our rulers can spy on us. A friend of mine has a relative who is a game warden. He told me that the main activity of game wardens was to monitor a bunch of game cameras and when they see anything that might be illegal, he gets on Verizon and finds out who was at that location at the exact time. All these guys who carry I phones with them are carrying the government in their pocket.

 

[caryc]

Office ? Lying to your new smart TV is not a good way to start a new relationship. I wish you luck.

 

[Bad Barlow]

Office ? Lying to your new smart TV is not a good way to start a new relationship. I wish you luck.

Next thing we know you'll be cheating on her,watching TV in a motel...

 

[KIR]

Just put some tape over the lens... No prob.

 

[Jeepnik]

Just put some tape over the lens... No prob.

It can still hear you. Just ask Alexa.

 

[Hvymax]

 

[caryc]

View attachment 33814

Wrong...everyone knows you got to call 911 for that.