Blu-ray’s “Killer” Feature
From Reuters…
Consumers should expect punishment for tinkering with their Blu-ray players, as many have done with current DVD players, for instance to remove regional coding. The new, Internet-connected and secure players will report any “hack†and the device can be disabled remotely.
It really does seem that more and more companies selling media-related products and services to consumers are losing their focus on providing benefits to their customers. First we had highly-restrictive DRM, then restrictive HDMI. Now, self-destructing Blu-ray players. These organisations seem increasingly intent on treating their customers as if they are criminals.
If this report turns out to be correct, I won’t be rushing out to buy a Blu-ray player. Pity. The actually technology is pretty useful. But, who wants a device that the manufacturer can remotely disable on a whim, or through technical incompetence? Not me…
See the complete Reuters article.
Simon Brocklehurst's Weblog on 20 Oct 2005 at 6:17 pm
Another Blu-ray Killer Feature
I have written before about companies selling Blu-ray technology and services losing their focus on providing benefits to consumers. That time was about hardware manufacturers having the capability to remotely disable your Blu-ray player. Now, there…