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Peloton Treadmill Owners Will be Able to Run Again Without a Subscription

posted by martyb on Friday August 06 2021, @09:51AM   
from the internet-of-things-you-don't-actually-own dept.

DannyB writes:

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.

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Original Submission

• On a somewhat related noteOn a somewhat related note (Score: 3, Interesting) by Rich on Friday August 06 2021, @11:10AM (3 children)

  by Rich (945) on Friday August 06 2021, @11:10AM (#1163999) Journal

  (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.

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• Re:On a somewhat related noteRe:On a somewhat related note (Score: 2) by EJ on Friday August 06 2021, @11:17AM (1 child)

  by EJ (2452) on Friday August 06 2021, @11:17AM (#1164003)

  Don't try to understand why people do things. If you start to understand, then you're already too far gone to be saved.

  Parent

  • Re:On a somewhat related note(Score: 2) by Rich on Friday August 06 2021, @11:51AM

    by Rich (945) on Friday August 06 2021, @11:51AM (#1164012) Journal

    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. :)

    Parent

• Re:On a somewhat related note(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @06:53PM

  by Anonymous Coward on Friday August 06 2021, @06:53PM (#1164137)

  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.

  Parent