So, I've been spent the last year or so reading about these Keurig 2.0 coffee machines that just came out for a while now. For those not in the know, they're the next generation of those single serve brewers that take a sealed "k-cup" of coffee grounds or tea and make 4-8 oz. of hot bean/leaf juice in less than a minute. The thing about them that is really causing some backdraft is the new machines scan the k-cup's (or a larger "carafe" cup that makes 14 oz. on some machines) foil lid for a special pattern that must be there for the brewer to work. Basically, Green Mountain Coffee, owners of the Keurig brand, have put DRM in their coffee machines. Apparently, they didn't like when their patent on the K-cup expired in 2012 and competitors started making their own coffee packs and brewers, so they put in some thing that screws everyone but themselves.
This new system locks out the machine if your k-cup doesn't have a white ring with logos around the lid or green dot on the carafe cup lid and limits your options for each brewing cycle depending on whether it detects a smaller k-cup or the larger carafe cup. It's great for stopping the machine from pumping 3 times as much water as you want through the small k-cup by accident. But the downside is you cannot use anything without either symbol, even older official k-cups. It won't even run hot water unless there is no coffee pod in the unit (so, no tricking it by just pressing the hot water button), only does 6 oz. at a time and requires you to hold down a button (like it's punishing you for using a feature that was automatic on older machines from the same company). The company's word is this system is purely to benefit the consumer. (Of course, it always is. /sarc) It's basically what the printer makers have been doing for years, scaring ignorant consumers with the messages about "dangers of unofficial ink" and finally stopping more tech savvy(or at least brave enough to spill ink everywhere) users and third part cartridge refillers with chipped cartridges. Just now, the problem moved to your kitchen and lowered you choices if you like any third party flavors and prices.
I'm only bringing this up for 2 reasons. One is I now have personal experience with one. My mom's old keurig thing died 2 weeks ago after almost 2 years of being fed filtered, softened water and getting descaled often enough. I looked around for and did find some decent brewers that took those k-cups (and more) for less than $100. But she, despite my warnings, had to get one of these Keurig 2.0 doodads (the $150, huge sumbitch, to be precise) a week ago. After playing with it for a few minutes, I tried the one of the DRM defeating methods I found online. I carefully peeled the foil lid off one of the used newer cups and taped it over any cup the machine reads as contraband. The same lid Works like a charm after a week but might be getting worn out since I'm the only one that tries to line the thing up right. (The other method I've seen has you tape a small section of that white ring around the lid to where the camera is. But, that means you can't fill the big pot that came with the brewer using one of the bigger Carafe cups, and explaining how to remove and replace the "cheater strip" to everyone in the house is just something I'd rather not experience.) And yes, it's patronizes you if you try the wrong K-cup. "Oops, this pack was not designed for this brewer. Please try one of the many packs with the Keurig logo." Really, 'cause I see a logo right there on the thing, it fits perfectly and wedging another lid with some magic juju on it causes it to work like it was "designed for this brewer."
The other reason is the relevance of the the drm to games and computer tech and how it's spreading to other sectors in new and evil ways. Imagine if this spreads to more things. What's stopping manufacturers from putting chips or other super cheap (for them) methods in their products to stop people from buying consumables such as filters or special light bulbs from anyone but them. They are shying away from patents, since those expire quickly, and hiding their greed behind copyright laws. Code for distinguishing between what is accepted can be copyrighted, and that protection can last far longer. Keurig's competitors say they found out how to bypass the DRM, but they really can't do anything since Keurig can sue them. (And Keurig probably has a better chance than Apple suing Samsung over "a touchscreen phone with rounded corners and a single button on front.")
I know the printers are sold with the loss leader strategy (same as consoles for years after launch), and they say these brewers are, too, (Of course, it's hard for me to believe it when Keurig offers just a one year warranty and I've heard off other keurigs dying around the 2 year mark when Bunn offers a 2 year warranty on a cheaper models, and Green Mountain Coffee has a near monopoly on single serve coffee packs even with third party competition.) But, printers only take the same 3 or so of the same colors. Coffee and tea can come in many flavors, and that means limiting the competition doesn't just funnel the money back your way, but limits the choices customers have for their unique tastes.
So what do you think of all this? Could similar things happen to other household products? (Besides just making the shape of something hard to copy. There's always someone out there reverse engineering proprietary physical connections on consumer goods, to make there own accessories.) What other consumable parts could a greedy company try to control?
TL;DR: Keurig 2.0 stops you from using unofficial (or old, but official) coffee packs that still physically fit their brewers by putting cameras in the machines and printing special labels. They want to stop competition while hiding behind the "it's for the good of our customers" spiel. Welcome to the future, where DRM is in your coffee. The good news is you, as a consumer, can cheat it easily.
This new system locks out the machine if your k-cup doesn't have a white ring with logos around the lid or green dot on the carafe cup lid and limits your options for each brewing cycle depending on whether it detects a smaller k-cup or the larger carafe cup. It's great for stopping the machine from pumping 3 times as much water as you want through the small k-cup by accident. But the downside is you cannot use anything without either symbol, even older official k-cups. It won't even run hot water unless there is no coffee pod in the unit (so, no tricking it by just pressing the hot water button), only does 6 oz. at a time and requires you to hold down a button (like it's punishing you for using a feature that was automatic on older machines from the same company). The company's word is this system is purely to benefit the consumer. (Of course, it always is. /sarc) It's basically what the printer makers have been doing for years, scaring ignorant consumers with the messages about "dangers of unofficial ink" and finally stopping more tech savvy(or at least brave enough to spill ink everywhere) users and third part cartridge refillers with chipped cartridges. Just now, the problem moved to your kitchen and lowered you choices if you like any third party flavors and prices.
I'm only bringing this up for 2 reasons. One is I now have personal experience with one. My mom's old keurig thing died 2 weeks ago after almost 2 years of being fed filtered, softened water and getting descaled often enough. I looked around for and did find some decent brewers that took those k-cups (and more) for less than $100. But she, despite my warnings, had to get one of these Keurig 2.0 doodads (the $150, huge sumbitch, to be precise) a week ago. After playing with it for a few minutes, I tried the one of the DRM defeating methods I found online. I carefully peeled the foil lid off one of the used newer cups and taped it over any cup the machine reads as contraband. The same lid Works like a charm after a week but might be getting worn out since I'm the only one that tries to line the thing up right. (The other method I've seen has you tape a small section of that white ring around the lid to where the camera is. But, that means you can't fill the big pot that came with the brewer using one of the bigger Carafe cups, and explaining how to remove and replace the "cheater strip" to everyone in the house is just something I'd rather not experience.) And yes, it's patronizes you if you try the wrong K-cup. "Oops, this pack was not designed for this brewer. Please try one of the many packs with the Keurig logo." Really, 'cause I see a logo right there on the thing, it fits perfectly and wedging another lid with some magic juju on it causes it to work like it was "designed for this brewer."
The other reason is the relevance of the the drm to games and computer tech and how it's spreading to other sectors in new and evil ways. Imagine if this spreads to more things. What's stopping manufacturers from putting chips or other super cheap (for them) methods in their products to stop people from buying consumables such as filters or special light bulbs from anyone but them. They are shying away from patents, since those expire quickly, and hiding their greed behind copyright laws. Code for distinguishing between what is accepted can be copyrighted, and that protection can last far longer. Keurig's competitors say they found out how to bypass the DRM, but they really can't do anything since Keurig can sue them. (And Keurig probably has a better chance than Apple suing Samsung over "a touchscreen phone with rounded corners and a single button on front.")
I know the printers are sold with the loss leader strategy (same as consoles for years after launch), and they say these brewers are, too, (Of course, it's hard for me to believe it when Keurig offers just a one year warranty and I've heard off other keurigs dying around the 2 year mark when Bunn offers a 2 year warranty on a cheaper models, and Green Mountain Coffee has a near monopoly on single serve coffee packs even with third party competition.) But, printers only take the same 3 or so of the same colors. Coffee and tea can come in many flavors, and that means limiting the competition doesn't just funnel the money back your way, but limits the choices customers have for their unique tastes.
So what do you think of all this? Could similar things happen to other household products? (Besides just making the shape of something hard to copy. There's always someone out there reverse engineering proprietary physical connections on consumer goods, to make there own accessories.) What other consumable parts could a greedy company try to control?
TL;DR: Keurig 2.0 stops you from using unofficial (or old, but official) coffee packs that still physically fit their brewers by putting cameras in the machines and printing special labels. They want to stop competition while hiding behind the "it's for the good of our customers" spiel. Welcome to the future, where DRM is in your coffee. The good news is you, as a consumer, can cheat it easily.