I remember trying to buy a TV that does not have "smart" functionality a few years ago. It was a chore. Today it seems impossible.
And not just TVs: ovens; refrigerators; dishwashers — all have "smart" options. In fact, it seems that more and more the available non-smart models are only the simpler ones, less performant in ways that are not related to any smart functionality missing.
My non-smart TV was available only with lower resolutions than "smart" models of the same brand.
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@rysiek So the trick is: buy the cheapest or second cheapest TV you can at Costco. 1-year money back "we don't care" policy. I got a Roku-based device. When I turn on my AppleTV, it turns on the TV which shows its interface with a 5-second count down to flip to the AppleTV. I assume this is to remind me/trick me into using the Roku interface. Which tried really hard to get my credit card # from me during setup.
@kurtseifried the trick is: nobody should have to find hacky work-arounds to this kind of crap.
@rysiek the alternative would be expensive TVs which many people would claim “yeah I’d pay for privacy” but in reality no, no they wouldn’t.