from the internet-of-things-you-don't-actually-own dept.
Peloton treadmill owners will be able to run again without a subscription:
After a spate of accidents on its Tread+ treadmill, Peloton temporarily moved the basic running mode of Tread+ behind a paywall so non-authorized users couldn't gain access. Now, all users will be able to use the "Just Run" feature without a subscription [...]
[...] after several reports of injuries and one death. The company subsequently released a software update that required a passcode to use the basic running mode, but the feature was only available to subscribers.
[...] The Tread Lock feature locks the device if you haven't used the treadmill in 45 seconds and aren't in a class. You then need to input a four-digit code before it can be used again.
[...] While the update was inconvenient for non-subscribers who purchased the $4,000+ devices, Peloton did make it possible to do basic running without paying.
Putting the primary function of an expensive product behind a paywall is a way to prevent accidents.
Related Stories
Peloton Outage Prevents Customers From Using $2,500 Exercise Bikes:
Peloton hasn't been having a great run lately. While business boomed during the pandemic, things have taken a sour turn of late on a bizarre host of fronts.
[...] adding insult to injury, connectivity issues this week prevented Peloton bike and treadmill owners from being able to use their $2000-$5000 luxury exercise equipment for several hours Tuesday morning. The official Peloton Twitter account tried to downplay the scope of the issues:
We are currently investigating an issue with Peloton services. This may impact your ability to take classes or access pages on the web.
We apologize for any impact this may have on your workout and appreciate your patience. Please check https://t.co/Dxcht2tQB0 for updates.
— Peloton (@onepeloton) February 22, 2022
[...] For much of Tuesday morning the pricey equipment simply wouldn't work. While the company's app still worked (For some people), Bike, Bike+, and Peloton Tread owners not only couldn't ride in live classes, they couldn't participate in recorded classes because there's no way to download a class to local storage (despite the devices being glorified Android tablets). The outage (which occurred at the same time as a major Slack outage) was ultimately resolved after several hours, but not before owners got another notable reminder that dumb tech can often be the smarter option.
Perhaps one day in the future, scientists will invent a way to make exercise machines that do not require internet access. Such a fantastic invention would be locked up behind patents.
See also:
Peloton Admits It's in Hot Water With DOJ, DHS, and SEC Over Its Treadmill Mess
Peloton treadmill owners will be able to run again without a subscription
Peloton disabled a free running feature on its treadmills, forcing owners to pay up
Peloton disabled a free feature on its $4,000 Tread+, forcing owners to pay a $39 monthly fee to use the machine
Peloton faces backlash after disabling free running feature on its $4,000 treadmills
Music Publishers Say Peloton Stole Even More Music, Ask for $300 Million
Peloton's Countersuit Against Music Publishers Over Song Copyrights Just Got Thrown Out
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @09:59AM (1 child)
Life is tough when you are a moron, like the ones buying these gizmos.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:23AM
As much as the parent is flame-bait, the parent is correct. Owners of said devices may feel insulted by the comment, yet then again, they have that right and only themselves to blame.
(Score: 2) by Nuke on Friday August 06 2021, @10:07AM (3 children)
LoL !
(Score: 1, Redundant) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Friday August 06 2021, @10:28AM (2 children)
You can lol all you want, but strictly speaking, it's true: if fucking Peloton bricks your $4,000 device, it can't hurt you. Not unless you try to justify the expense by using your newly-bricked treadmill for weight-lifting or something.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:32AM (1 child)
For fuck's sake, man, not so loud! An MBA might hear you and implement a new business plan at that company: you now have to bolt your treadmill to your floor or else it won't turn on (for your safety of course) and if you don't slide in a quarter, you can't unbolt it.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Friday August 06 2021, @10:04PM
I just wait for the neighbors to buy one, get tired of it, and set it on the curb for trash pickup.
Then if I want it, it's free for the taking, and maybe I can make something useful out of it.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 4, Touché) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Friday August 06 2021, @10:23AM (8 children)
Honestly... Am I the only one who sees how dysfunctional this is? What is the world coming to? More interestingly, what the hell are Peloton users thinking of when they buy a device like that?
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:26AM (5 children)
What do you mean "peleton owners are thinking"? These are creatures that shelled out multiple thousands of dollars for a couple-hundred dollars worth of kit. These aren't people, they're 'consumers'.
(Score: 1, Redundant) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Friday August 06 2021, @10:35AM (3 children)
You're not half wrong.
I mean if I wanted a Peloton-like device myself, I'd buy a cheap-ass treadmill (cuz really, that's what those are), a TV set, a VCR to record random people doing gymnastics on morning TV (with a gym teacher too, for free) and a sharpie to write "Peloton" on it. And possibly also a timer between the mains socket and the plug to simulate Peloton disabling my running subscription - you know, for the full Peloton experience.
Even better, I could put this [youtube.com] on the TV - a feature Peloton surely doesn't offer. What's not to love with DIY eh?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:42AM
https://www.ebay.com/p/4037149994?iid=164086813926 [ebay.com] for 27 USD
It must be that "Peleton" logo drawn in sharpie that adds the 3k to the price, I presume.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @05:30PM
I was going to recommend this exercise show [youtube.com]. As I recall from back in the day, it was really popular for people to exercise to, but I think a lot of that exercise was for the hands/wrists.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 07 2021, @04:21PM
I just submitted a trademark for "Ghettoton" and bought some domain names to squat on. I see a lucrative business opportunity stealing your idea. Thanks bro!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 07 2021, @04:10PM
Apple people do this all the time without question. In fact, they line up for hours and hours to do this - "take ma mon-eh". Ya, this is flamebait but it's factual flamebait.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @06:00PM (1 child)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:39PM
Nah, their skills are "people skills" to find those who can be led to think they should be paid enough money to throw it away so frivolously.
You know the type. Management.
The same type of people who spend way too much for stuff as long as it's coming from someone else's pocket.
(Score: 0, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:30AM (26 children)
I never understood people who bought treadmills. There's the outside to run in.
I find it very illustrative of their mental state: they think they're moving, they think they're making progress, but at the end of their 'run', they're still in the same spot but with less money, time, energy.
They are a waste of the oxygen, my oxygen, that they consume needlessly.
(Score: 4, Touché) by EJ on Friday August 06 2021, @10:36AM (21 children)
One could also say that short-sighted people like you, who are incapable of open-minded critical thinking, are also wasting space and oxygen.
Many people do not have the luxury of a convenient place to run outside. (Safety, lack of sidewalks, etc.)
Many people have allergies or skin conditions that make being outside a health risk.
Many people simply do not ENJOY being outside in the heat.
Many people have life schedules that make their most convenient time to run in the middle of the night, when it is not advisable to be outside.
Many people have health conditions that make it dangerous to be far from home when exercising.
Many people like the convenience of being able to ALREADY BE BACK HOME whenever they get tired of running.
Many people like to be able to watch TV or listen to music while running without having to worry about their surroundings.
and, finally...
Many people do not give a flying fuck what you think about how they choose to spend their time and money.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Friday August 06 2021, @10:42AM (2 children)
Your forget the most important factor lately: COVID lockdown - one of the major reason for Peloton's recent meteoric rise.
(Score: 4, Informative) by DeathMonkey on Friday August 06 2021, @02:48PM (1 child)
Here in Denver you shouldn't be heavily breathing the outdoor air. [9news.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 07 2021, @08:55PM
What a shithole.
(Score: -1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:51AM (7 children)
These are not the people that buy treadmills.
You clearly don't know anyone with such conditions.
Sounds like a luxury problem here
You're grasping now, aren't you? Again, not the folks that buy treadmills.
You can run around in front of your yard then.
Have you thought of running in your neighborhood?
Mindless zombies, I'll give you that.
This works both ways, mate...
You should contact http://www.peleton.com, [www.peleton.com,] seems like you're exactly the mark they're looking for.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by EJ on Friday August 06 2021, @10:59AM (5 children)
Um...no. I hate everything about Peloton. I think it's one of the dumbest things I've seen advertised on TV in a long time. The difference is that I don't give a shit if someone else wants to buy one. More power to them. I'm perfectly happy with people liking things I don't like.
I don't like running at all. I prefer cycling as it is easier on the joints. I have a cheap (ALL of the criteria I listed above.
At the risk of giving you more attention than you deserve, I will comment on one specific bit of ignorance in your post:
What mythical yard do you think people in urban areas have? Take your redneck mind out of the farmland, and try to grasp the concept that not everyone HAS a yard.
You know what, I'm just going to write you off as a complete dipshit troll. Go back under your bridge. I can see why you're pissed about people running inside. They don't need to run across your troll-toll bridge.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @11:11AM
I'll have you know that I live in a civilized part of the world, not your US-ian, retarded wasteland that serves as a poor excuse for a working or modern society. You pillock!
(Score: 4, Interesting) by DeathMonkey on Friday August 06 2021, @02:38PM
Some people just find it easier to stick with an exercise routine with a class format and a human on the other end to keep them from slacking.
I'm not into Peloton but I do martial arts classes for my exercise for that exact same reason.
Jesus Christ the hate for these things seems so silly. Not to mention I have a hunch at least half the people taking potshots are fat unhealthy slobs!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @03:57PM
So - people still watch television in 2021?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @06:03PM (1 child)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday August 08 2021, @11:01PM
And if not in an urban area, no need for sidewalks, or streets.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @03:23PM
Many people are snowflakes.
(Score: 0, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @11:06AM
> Many people do not have the luxury of a convenient place to run outside. (Safety, lack of sidewalks, etc.)
Welcome to America, land of the free (if you can afford it)!
Meanwhile in the civilised world, we have sidewalks, and footpaths (so we can walk from our front door into the countryside where there are not roads).
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @11:09AM (4 children)
> the middle of the night, when it is not advisable to be outside.
Welcome to America, land of the free (if you can afford it).
Meanwhile in the civilised world, we have a crime level so that we aren't afraid to go out at night.
(Score: 2) by EJ on Friday August 06 2021, @11:14AM (2 children)
It's not about fear. It's about not getting hit by a car, attacked by nocturnal animals, bitten by mosquitos, etc.
It's not a good idea to go out running at night for many logical reasons.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @03:25PM (1 child)
Running with an AK-47 is awkward.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @04:41PM
Not so much as you might think. Actually, it's the 50 pounds or more inside the backpack, and the duty belt with another 30 pounds of gear that makes running awkward. But then, running ain't for sissies.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:44PM
Yes! America is indeed the land of the free!
You just have to submit the right forms.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Runaway1956 on Friday August 06 2021, @03:18PM (3 children)
You failed to mention the likelihood of being shot for jogging while black.
Even so, I side with GP. Running is an outdoors activity. Despite your many examples/objections, most people would probably be healthier and happier if they took their exercise outdoors. Running through a flower garden is nice and enjoyable. Running on ice teaches agility that Peloton can never teach. Who doesn't love running through a pleasant spring shower? You get to meet people who can admire your fine physique if you run outside.
I spent the first 20 years of my life hearing, "Stop running in the house!" I've spent the last 30+ years of my life shouting "Stop running in the house!" * I'm not about to change now, and encourage people to run in the house.
* It's really funny in an industrial setting. There are people working all around you, and you notice someone in a hurry, running. Shouting "Stop running in the house!' focuses everyone's attention on the guilty party. That guilty party immediately slows to a walk, while looking all around to see who caught them, and how much trouble they might be in. Bonus points when the guilty party is someone who is supposed to help enforce safety rules.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @08:02PM (2 children)
"You failed to mention the likelihood of being shot for jogging while black."
I'm guessing that was a sarcastic comment because you are inacapable of understanding the amount of racism and danger minorities face in the US just for existing.
Valid reasons for being shot? Well for one, breaking into a barricaded room while security points a gun at your head telling you to stop. What a dumb MAGA to die like that.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday August 06 2021, @08:20PM (1 child)
Keep guessing, fool. Or, you could take a course in reading comprehension.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Ahmaud_Arbery [wikipedia.org]
Can you say his name?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @10:49PM
My apologies, glad I was wrong!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @08:25PM
I don't have a treadmill, but I do have an elliptical machine. I bought it because I live in central Texas, so running outside is very uncomfortable (to outright dangerous) for much of the day much of the year. With it inside, I don't have to worry about the weather when I want my cardio.
Plus, well, elliptical is lower impact that running, but that's irrelevant to your complaint.
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Friday August 06 2021, @10:46PM (2 children)
Found the person not living downtown.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 07 2021, @02:11AM (1 child)
Sounds like your downtown sucks.
(Score: 2) by Opportunist on Saturday August 07 2021, @10:32AM
It does. But that's where the jobs are.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Rich on Friday August 06 2021, @11:10AM (3 children)
(I wasn't sure if I should submit an article...) I just stumbled about the fact that there is an Arduino with the RP2040 now. The fact that it uses a third-party branded ESP32 as radio and costs over 20€ is bad enough, but they have a "Cloud", and offer "Cloud Plans" now, with tags like "Best value: Maker Edition $7/mo".
Holy cow. I wonder if it's these Peloton owners who also sign up to that crap? Or if not, when they start taking money from Microsoft.
(Score: 2) by EJ on Friday August 06 2021, @11:17AM (1 child)
Don't try to understand why people do things. If you start to understand, then you're already too far gone to be saved.
(Score: 2) by Rich on Friday August 06 2021, @11:51AM
But once you're there, you don't think you need to be saved anymore. And the totals are summed up much later, in hell.
I'd become a salesman, sell them the firm belief in my godlike greatness to make them willing servants --- and make good money along the way. :)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @06:53PM
Well now that they allow you to use the product without a subscription they have to find another way to make their consumers run out of money.