adplus-dvertising
Connect with us

Investment

Smart devices are turning out to be a poor investment – Android Police

Published

 on


Summary

  • Tech giants like Amazon and Google are wresting control away from consumers with each software update.
  • The degradation of features and user experience in smart devices have left consumers feeling cheated.
  • Moving towards local control and investing in professional solutions may be key in navigating the smart home industry.

As a child of the 90s, growing up bang in the middle of the cellphone and modern computing revolution, reading Asimov, watching Star Trek and re-runs of The Jetsons, I had certain expectations for the future. Smart homes that did my bidding, palm-sized computers that were truly my own, and functional ecosystems that accurately responded to my voice or presence all felt right within the realm of possibility.

And for a time, we were heading towards that future. But the 2010s have passed, and in the 2020s, we are left with the remains of a dream unfulfilled and electronics that respond to the whims, fancies, and ever-changing business decisions of corporations rather than the customers who’ve shelled out their hard-earned money. What went wrong?

As someone who is an early adopter of all things smart and has invested a significant amount of money in building a fancy smart home, it saddens me to say that I feel cheated by the thousands of dollars I’ve spent on smart devices. And it’s not a one-off.

Wrestling away control from the consumer — one update at a time

Killing basic features hurts customers and developers trying to improve the experience

Amazon’s recent move to block off local ADB connections on Fire TV devices is the latest example in a long line of grievences. A brand busy wrestling away control from the consumer after they’ve bought the product, the software update gimps a feature that has been present on the hardware ever since it launched back in 2014.

ADB-based commands let users take deep control of the hardware, and in the case of the Fire TV hardware, it can drastically improve the user experience. Now, just to be clear, I’m aware that enthusiasts were using it to replace Amazon’s fullscreen video-playing, ad-ridden interface with a cleaner alternative home screen. And yes, Amazon wants to protect its business interests, which makes complete sense. It uses the ads to subsidize the cost of the hardware.

However, I take offense to the ham-fisted implementation. Not only was the core feature deprecated, but developers were also given no heads-up to update any apps that counted on the feature. Apps like cache cleaners and background process cleaning apps that can significantly speed up the Fire Stick have been left dead in the water with no recourse. This wouldn’t have been as big a deal if Amazon had done a bang-up job of keeping the Fire Stick speedy, but it didn’t.

The problem is widespread across the industry

Google’s treatment of a television as a billboard is ridiculous

A few years ago, I decided to invest in the NVIDIA Shield. The premium streamer was marketed as a utopia for streaming online and offline sources with the ability to plug in hard drives, connect to NAS drives, and more. At launch, it did precisely that while presenting a beautiful, clean interface that was a joy to interact with. However, subsequent updates have converted what was otherwise a clean and elegant solution to an ad-infested overlay that I zoom past to jump into my streaming app of choice.

This problem isn’t restricted to just the Shield. Even my Google TV running Chromecast has a home screen that’s more of an advertising space for Google than an easy way to get to my content. My television running Google TV makes for a situation that is even more egregious. A $1500 television that behaves like a 75” billboard. I’m not unaware of the strategy to subsidize hardware through ads, but these are not subsidized devices. In the case of the Shield, I paid close to $200 for the privilege of a premium experience. And, unlike, say, a Kindle, where buyers can pay to remove ads, I was given no choice in the decision to ruin my entertainment experience.

But why stop at streaming boxes? Google’s Nest Hubs are equal victims of feature deterioration. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on Nest Hubs and outfitted them in most of my rooms and washrooms. However, Google’s consistent degradation of the user experience means I use these speakers for little more than casting music from the Spotify app. The voice recognition barely works on the best of days, and when it does, the answers tend to be wildly inconsistent. It wasn’t always the case. In fact, at launch, Google’s Nest speakers were some of the best smart home interfaces you could buy. You’d imagine that the experience would only improve from there. That’s decidedly not the case. I had high hopes that the Fuchsia update would fix the broken command detection, but that’s also not the case.

And good luck to you if you decided to invest in Google Assistant-compatible displays. Google’s announcement that it would no longer issue software or security updates to third-party displays like the excellent Lenovo Smart Display, right after killing the built-in web browser, is pretty wild. It boggles my mind that a company can get away with such behavior.

Now imagine the plight of Nest Secure owners. A home security system isn’t something one expects to switch out for many many years. And yet, Google decided to kill the Nest Secure home monitoring solution merely three years after launching the product range. While I made an initial investment in the Nest ecosystem, I’ve since switched over to a completely local solution that is entirely under my control, stores data locally, and won’t be going out of action because of bad decision-making by another company.

Seeking local control and professional solutions is the key

Matter won’t matter until it’s more widespread

It’s clear to me that smart home devices, as they stand, are proving to be very poor investments for consumers. Matter is expected to solve this with cross-compatibility and relative future-proofing. But the sluggish rollout of matter-compatible devices doesn’t give me much hope. Additionally, the standard itself doesn’t support the wide variety of use cases that I need to retrofit my smart home.

Moreover, you know what they say. Once bitten, twice shy. Over the last year, I’ve been working towards moving my entire smart home to local control. As alternatives like Home Assistant keep improving, it’s become far easier to find devices that play nice with it, and where the manufacturers don’t step up, the community has stepped in. Similarly, much as I enjoy the benefits of an ecosystem, I’ve been looking at products that focus more on the experience than gimmicks or sheer affordability. In the case of streaming entertainment, that is, for better or worse, an Apple TV.

Suffice it to say that I’ve paused any future investments in smart devices, and I’ll be taking a long and hard look at a company’s treatment of its current portfolio before splurging out more cash. I’d recommend you do the same.

Adblock test (Why?)

728x90x4

Source link

Continue Reading

Economy

S&P/TSX composite up more than 250 points, U.S. stock markets also higher

Published

 on

 

TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 250 points in late-morning trading, led by strength in the base metal and technology sectors, while U.S. stock markets also charged higher.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 254.62 points at 23,847.22.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 432.77 points at 41,935.87. The S&P 500 index was up 96.38 points at 5,714.64, while the Nasdaq composite was up 486.12 points at 18,059.42.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.68 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.

The November crude oil contract was up 89 cents at US$70.77 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down a penny at US2.27 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was up US$9.40 at US$2,608.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.33 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Investment

Canada’s Probate Laws: What You Need to Know about Estate Planning in 2024

Published

 on

Losing a loved one is never easy, and the legal steps that follow can add even more stress to an already difficult time.

For years, families in Vancouver (and Canada in general) have struggled with a complex probate process—filled with paperwork and legal challenges.

Thankfully, recent changes to Canada’s probate laws aim to make this process simpler and easier to navigate.

Let’s unearth how these updates can simplify the process for you and your family.

What is probate?

Probate might sound complicated, but it’s simply the legal process of settling someone’s estate after death.

Here’s how it works.

  • Validating the will. The court checks if the will is legal and valid.
  • Appointing an executor. If named in the will, the executor manages the estate. If not, the court appoints someone.
  • Settling debts and taxes. The executor (and you) pays debts and taxes before anything can be given.
  • Distributing the estate. Once everything is settled, the executor distributes the remaining assets according to the will or legal rules.

Probate ensures everything is done by the book, giving you peace of mind during a difficult time.

Recent Changes in Canadian Probate Laws

Several updates to probate law in the country are making the process smoother for you and your family.

Here’s a closer look at the fundamental changes that are making a real difference.

1) Virtual witnessing of wills

Now permanent in many provinces, including British Columbia, wills can be signed and witnessed remotely through video calls.

Such a change makes estate planning more accessible, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.

2) Simplified process for small estates

Smaller estates, like those under 25,000 CAD in BC, now have a faster, simplified probate process.

Fewer forms and legal steps mean less hassle for families handling modest estates.

3) Substantial compliance for wills

Courts can now approve wills with minor errors if they reflect the person’s true intentions.

This update prevents unnecessary legal challenges and ensures the deceased’s wishes are respected.

These changes help make probate less stressful and more efficient for you and other families across Canada.

The Probate Process and You: The Role of a Probate Lawyer

 

(Image: Freepik.com)

Working with a probate lawyer in Vancouver can significantly simplify the probate process, especially given the city’s complex legal landscape.

Here’s how they can help.

Navigating the legal process

Probate lawyers ensure all legal steps are followed, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the estate is managed properly.

Handling paperwork and deadlines

They manage all the paperwork and court deadlines, taking the burden off of you during this difficult time.

Resolving disputes

If conflicts arise, probate lawyers resolve them, avoiding legal battles.

Providing you peace of mind

With a probate lawyer’s expertise, you can trust that the estate is being handled efficiently and according to the law.

With a skilled probate lawyer, you can ensure the entire process is smooth and stress-free.

Why These Changes Matter

The updates to probate law make a big difference for Canadian families. Here’s why.

  • Less stress for you. Simplified processes mean you can focus on grieving, not paperwork.
  • Faster estate settlements. Estates are settled more quickly, so beneficiaries don’t face long delays.
  • Fewer disputes. Courts can now honor will with minor errors, reducing family conflicts.
  • Accessible for everyone. Virtual witnessing and easier rules for small estates make probate more accessible for everyone, no matter where you live.

With these changes, probate becomes smoother and more manageable for you and your family.

How to Prepare for the Probate Process

Even with the recent changes, being prepared makes probate smoother. Here are a few steps to help you prepare.

  1. Create a will. Ensure a valid will is in place to avoid complications.
  2. Choose an executor. Pick someone responsible for managing the estate and discuss their role with them.
  3. Organize documents. Keep key financial and legal documents in one place for easy access.
  4. Talk to your family. Have open conversations with your family to prevent future misunderstandings.
  5. Get legal advice. Consult with a probate lawyer to ensure everything is legally sound and up-to-date.

These simple steps make the probate process easier for everyone involved.

Wrapping Up: Making Probate Easier in Vancouver

Recent updates in probate law are simplifying the process for families, from virtual witnessing to easier estate rules. These reforms are designed to ease the burden, helping you focus on what matters—grieving and respecting your dead loved ones’ final wishes.

Despite these changes, it’s best to consult a probate lawyer to ensure you can manage everything properly. Remember, they’re here to help you during this difficult time.

Continue Reading

Economy

Energy stocks help lift S&P/TSX composite, U.S. stock markets also up

Published

 on

 

TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was higher in late-morning trading, helped by strength in energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also moved up.

The S&P/TSX composite index was up 34.91 points at 23,736.98.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 178.05 points at 41,800.13. The S&P 500 index was up 28.38 points at 5,661.47, while the Nasdaq composite was up 133.17 points at 17,725.30.

The Canadian dollar traded for 73.56 cents US compared with 73.57 cents US on Monday.

The November crude oil contract was up 68 cents at US$69.70 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up three cents at US$2.40 per mmBTU.

The December gold contract was down US$7.80 at US$2,601.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.28 a pound.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending