LG responds swiftly to user backlash, will allow users to remove Microsoft Copilot link from TVs
Norwegian gov't consumer watchdog calls out ‘enshittification’ of video games, connected devices, and others
The aforementioned situation is exclusive to a spot test performed in the Spanish market within the scope of the VIDAA platform, the television sets' operating system. This test's objective was to evaluate certain advertising formats linked to free content within the platform itself.
In no circumstance did the test affect the standard functionality of the device nor did it limit access to its main features. The users could and can continue to normally use all HDMI inputs, external devices, consoles, subscription streaming apps, or standard broadcasts without any type of interruption or obligation to watch advertisements.
This was a temporary and finalized market test. The aforementioned advertising format has now been removed from Spain. Hisense maintains its commitment to a quality, transparent user experience, based on freedom of choice, guaranteeing that the usage of the television set and its main features are not conditional on watching advertisements."
While Hisense's statement suggests this "test" was regionally limited, the ongoing complaints about intrusive ads on its TVs suggest that the presence or absence of those ads is more widespread and longer-lasting than claimed. In any event, users seeking a less burdensome TV-watching experience might want to steer clear of Hisense's hardware, as they risk unpleasant surprises when performing basic tasks on their sets.
Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News , or add us as a preferred source , to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.
Bruno Ferreira is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware. He has decades of experience with PC hardware and assorted sundries, alongside a career as a developer. He's obsessed with detail and has a tendency to ramble on the topics he loves. When not doing that, he's usually playing games, or at live music shows and festivals. ","collapsible":{"enabled":true,"maxHeight":250,"readMoreText":"Read more","readLessText":"Read less"}}), "https://slice.vanilla.futurecdn.net/13-4-18/js/authorBio.js"); } else { console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); } Bruno Ferreira Contributor Bruno Ferreira is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware. He has decades of experience with PC hardware and assorted sundries, alongside a career as a developer. He's obsessed with detail and has a tendency to ramble on the topics he loves. When not doing that, he's usually playing games, or at live music shows and festivals.
heffeque Try that in Europe. Edit: Thanks for correcting me. My bad, since these stunts are usually pulled in the US, where ads are everywhere, even on fridges. Insert "Bart force of habit" meme here. Since this Hisense situation is happening in Europe, owners should be able to return their Hisense TVs and get a full refund without issues. Also… Hisense is gonna get suuuuued! Reply
hotaru251 I will not own a modern tv that is "smart". When I can no longer get a dumb TV anymore I will just use a monitor for a tv w/ maybe a projector for soemthing I want a big screen viewing. Reply
salgado18 heffeque said: Try that in Europe. Most reports seem to come from British and Spanish users, but we also found a German-language post and screenshots of a TV set in German. :rolleyes: Reply
CelicaGT A reminder to never allow your "smart" TV access to the internet. If it requires it, take it back to the store. Reply
TheyStoppedit CelicaGT said: A reminder to never allow your "smart" TV access to the internet. If it requires it, take it back to the store. There will come a day when all TVs will require it "for diagnostics reasons and quality assurance reasons", or "to optimize the best experience for a given user" or "to ensure legal compliance with certain laws in certain jurisdictions". It will be something stupid. This is why corporations are trying to push so hard to eliminate jail breaking, ad blockers, piracy, right to repair, that sort of stuff. But it's not just your TV's they're coming for. YouTube is apparently going to start putting in 30 second unskippable ads. As consumers, hacked apps, jailbreaking, ad blockers, and a few select other tools are our only means to fight back. The only reason YouTube Premium is as cheap as it is is because there exist ways to remove ads. What happens if they truly find a way to make it 100% impossible to remove ads, what happens to YouTube? 2 minute unksippable ads, premium is $49.99/month. Why not? Better hope the hackers, jailbreakers, and modders stay 1 step ahead of them. They're coming for your TVs, then your phones, then your cars, then your games. It will be everywhere. Pretty soon you will be playing a video and every 15 minutes, the game auto-pauses for a 2 minute unskippable ad. You get into your car and start it. 2 minute unskippable ad before the shifter will engage. Trust me, they'll do it. We as consumers have to fight back. This is why I have been telling people FOR YEARS…. that whenever you see news about a failed attempt to shut down a piracy site….. or a failed attempt to stop an ad blocker…. or …. someone finds a new jailbreak on a device…. something like that. It's a huge victory for consumers. Netflix is a good example. Prices start at $7.99 per month. What if piracy suddenly somehow became 100% impossible: What happens to the price of netflix? $39.99/per month baby!!! We as consumers must always make sure that there is an alternative, and that there is a threat to these big corprorations, these tools will be a thorn in their side so they watch very carefully how they walk and what they do. Reply
thrus heffeque said: Try that in Europe. From the article, most were in British or spanish markets with one case reported in Germany. Reply
chaos215bar2 Speaking of ads, WTH is this 35 minute long video overlay that just appeared while trying to read this forum thread? That's some if the most obnoxious, annoying, inconsiderate BS I've seen — trying to waste my limited data and almost completely cover the forum thread while scrolling — for what? Reply
das_stig Got a 56" model in bedroom and opted out of ads and also block them at my OPNsense firewall Unbound DNS filters. I don't see ads in my browsers or any TV, mobile or phone and the occasional sneaky one in YT that is injected in to the video. Reply
JamesJones44 I see the Chinese corporate giants have learned well from their US counter parts Reply
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/big-tech/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/big-tech/hisense-tvs-force-owners-to-watch-intrusive-ads-when-switching-inputs-visiting-the-home-screen-or-even-changing-channels-practice-infuriates-consumers-brand-denies-wrongdoing#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com/subscription
- NVIDIA Advances Autonomous Networks With Agentic AI Blueprints and Telco Reasoning Models
- Nexperia China claims to be making chips using 12-inch wafers — subsidiary deepens split with Dutch parent as it builds out 'mass production capabilities'
- How To Optimize Your PC’s Airflow Using Positive vs. Negative Pressure
- Pick up a comfy new PC gaming chair for £150 in the Amazon Spring Day Deals sale — save £50 on Corsair's TC100 Relaxed chair
- IBM and Lam Research team up on High NA EUV dry resist to push chip scaling past 1nm
Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.