This Coffee Maker Has DRM to Lock Out Competitor's Refills - Update
- Thread starter Steven Bogos
- Start date
I'm not even remotely worried. Ten to one that a couple YouTube vids pop up after the release of the new models, all showing us how to circumvent those measures. If the only thing you're risking is a voided warranty, I'm sure single-cup coffee maker hacking is going to take off pretty successfully.
In my house they have a kettle, a coffee maker that uses actual beans, and one of these little pod machines. The pod one does seem like it't just really lazy. It tastes a bit better than the granule stuff, but not as good as proper coffee, but costs twice as much. Why have all 3? Kettle for the quick fix, coffee machine for the enjoyment.Sleekit said:
Except for the fact that I can't understand how people find coffee enjoyable.
We actually have that machine in our shop at SDSU. Reason is because everyone gets in at 5-6am and the only coffee on campus is overpriced Starbucks. They enjoy the machine really, and I will say it makes some good hot chocolate. :3
Also this technically isn't DRM, since DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. If anything this is CRM, Coffee Rights Management.
Also this technically isn't DRM, since DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. If anything this is CRM, Coffee Rights Management.
Expected to launch this fall, and fall this launch.
But seriously, it's mostly sad to think that your common coffee company is an evil moustache twirling douche bag. Hell, I imagine heads of tobacco companies aren't this scummy. It's not even evil, it's just stupid. I can't see the common person running with this. Even they would give up after a day or two of that BS. If it doesn't scratch their ass and feed them nachos, common people will not buy it. Especially with coffee. It won't even be a backlash, it just won't sell.
But seriously, it's mostly sad to think that your common coffee company is an evil moustache twirling douche bag. Hell, I imagine heads of tobacco companies aren't this scummy. It's not even evil, it's just stupid. I can't see the common person running with this. Even they would give up after a day or two of that BS. If it doesn't scratch their ass and feed them nachos, common people will not buy it. Especially with coffee. It won't even be a backlash, it just won't sell.
It is absolutely imperative that your toast shouldn't toast right if it isn't OUR bread. For safety reasons, of course!
Also to be fair, there can be a decent argument made for DRM. Namely, the idea is to stop/reduce piracy. Which I think is a fine idea. I think Steam is fine (not good, but fine) DRM.Neronium said:
This seems more like what Nintendo did back in the early days with the 'Nintendo certified.' But that also had the excuse of being for 'quality control.' This is just Kuerig saying 'hey, we're the dominant coffee-machine company now. Let's use our power to get more money and lock our competitors out.'
I saw this headline earlier, but I thought it was satire or some kind of cheeky, self-aware product that's mocking DRM.
I didn't think that someone would be crazy enough to actually do this. And for COFFEE, no less.
I didn't think that someone would be crazy enough to actually do this. And for COFFEE, no less.
Holy Shit. How stupid do they think we are, I mean, there are probably some pretty stupid people but it is a fricken coffee maker for waffle's sake! What kind of safety precautions do you need besides large pretty pictures that say "Don't Fucking Touch This, Hot Stuff!"?!Steven Bogos said:
Wow it's almost as if EA was handling their press release.Steven Bogos said:
This idea needs to die before it becomes the norm.
This should be illegal. In fact, I'm pretty sure it is illegal under most European consumer protection laws.
Only in America would those greedy corporate assholes think that they can have the freedom to do something like this. The Corporate States of Let's Fuck the Consumers strikes again.
Safety reasons sounds dangerously close to "national security reasons". See a pattern there? Every time someone powerful wants to stick a dick up your ass they'll claim that it's for your own safety.
Only in America would those greedy corporate assholes think that they can have the freedom to do something like this. The Corporate States of Let's Fuck the Consumers strikes again.
Safety reasons sounds dangerously close to "national security reasons". See a pattern there? Every time someone powerful wants to stick a dick up your ass they'll claim that it's for your own safety.
Safety reasons? Really... I've got a feeling I've heard this one before...
"We're going to lock half of your workstation. Safety reasons."
"We're going to remove a quarter of your apartment to repair your deck. Safety reasons."
"We're not giving you a discount on any of this. Safety reasons."
"We're increasing the price of your electricity. Safety reasons."
"You can't rent from us unless you have our apartment insurance. Safety reasons."
"You must ride your bike in a crowded street, no bike lane. Safety reasons."
"We're forcing you to buy our product, and only our product. Safety reasons."
Nah... I'm just paranoid.
The sad thing is this is going to work to some extent, particularly on the office end of things, because as we all know, every office thinks coffee is mandatory. The average user might find brand-locked machines to be bullshit, and it is, but corporate gophers aren't hired for their brains; they're hired to do what they're told, and if the coffee machine says "put this kind of coffee in", that's what they're going to do, because the budget intended for the coffee machine has been spent already.
There are, as you may know, a lot of offices in the world. This has depressing potential to become a big thing, with further potential for manufacturers to pursue exclusive deals with their end-users' companies, and it's not going to stop at coffee if it takes off.
There are, as you may know, a lot of offices in the world. This has depressing potential to become a big thing, with further potential for manufacturers to pursue exclusive deals with their end-users' companies, and it's not going to stop at coffee if it takes off.
More importantly, what if one likes the other coffee better?Jorec said:
I can't wait till Sony blurays only play Sony Studios movies... because that is where this logic would lead. :S
Very stupid, apparently.Saulkar said:
I am pretty sure that I've only ever bought Keurig approved coffee pods, but...
1. I'm not sure what would improve on the current product. It makes fantastic coffee, 1 cup at a time.
2. DRM makes this a pass for me anyway.
Then competitors can easily replicate the shape of the pod.Big_Willie_Styles said:
and its a stupid analogy. Sony doesn't make money off of all the blu-ray disc sales nor they are the only manufacturer of blu-ray players.