Most even remotely modern Intel chips can transcode a few 4K streams without breaking a sweat due to the integrated graphics/QuickSync.

I purchased one of those $150 tiny machines on Amazon specifically for the Intel integrated graphics so my Plex server can transcode easily. All media is another one of my servers, shared via NFS.

Free marketing

There is a massive difference between "driving in a way they don't like" and "driving dangerously". The former does not imply the latter.

Why would they care about how you drive other than safety? Who are "they" in this situation?

Physically destroy using whatever method you prefer (preferably something fun) and throw away.

What else is there to do?

they do contain strong magnets which are, IMO, worth salvaging.

A long time ago I would collect the magnets before discarding. Then it occurred to me that I've never had any use for them, so they were just more junk in a box.

They're cool, but I don't bother anymore - usually when I need neodymium magnets I need a specific size or shape anyway.

> Do you actually enjoy the smoke in your mouth, burning your eyes and lungs?

Many years ago when I smoked - yup, sure did. I loved the entire experience, except maybe going outside in the middle of winter.

Smart appliances just seem like a ticking time bomb.

I want my appliances to last far longer than devices like my phone or computer.

There is absolutely no way these manufacturers will continue updating them even close to as long as I want to own them. So then you're stuck with an insecure and functionally useless, bad looking (in my opinion) appliance. That you paid extra to own and see ads on.

Just solder a jtag connector to them and let AI dump the firmware, decompile, reverse engineer and flash a non-updating, sanitized version.

That does sound like a fun project! Not on an appliance that I rely on working 24/7 though. Maybe an idea to apply to a broken unused one.

Well, they break anyway.. so might aswell break into the ones that are destroyed

"I want my appliances to last far longer than devices like my phone or computer."

... and hopefully be simple. My washer and dryer (made in late 90s) are dirt simple inside, with parts readily available. I recently had to replace the belt in the dryer, and a water valve in the washer. It was a diy job, with the help of a few youtube videos.

My neighbor guest's car got stuck in their driveway recently when an electronic parking brake malfunctioned. It really feels like all the gadgetry is a step backwards.

I don't visit his website. That's the whole point.

Yeah the owners and service manuals are two very very different things. You won't be performing much maintenance with the owners manual besides the absolute basics, like checking your oil.

The cheap OBD2 readers lack the vast majority of data and tools you would want to use for service as well.

There are aftermarket options but most manufacturers want you to subscribe to their service tools - often charged per monthly plus an additional a fee per VIN it touches. These cost in the hundreds to thousands. It can be pretty frustrating as a shadetree mechanic.

Notably, some vehicles like the Toyota Highlander you can’t even figure out when you need to change the spark plugs, let alone what kind of spark plugs you need from the owners manual.

Theoretically, they are to be replaced at 120k miles (!!) but they won’t even tell you that in the owners manual.

Insane.

It is, yeah. The owners manual for my current vehicle seems to mostly contain walkthroughs about the infotainment and other tech features. The section related to maintenance is tiny in comparison.

You're probably aware of this already but luckily a lot of service manuals can be found online in PDF form.

Somewhat related but I was going through an older relatives belongings not too long ago to help cleanup and found a bunch of old manuals for various household things. The detail included in them was beautiful to see - full wiring diagrams, mechanical diagrams, etc.

>> You're probably aware of this already but luckily a lot of service manuals can be found online in PDF form.

Not official ones for John Deere tractors unless they were leaked from authorized service agents!

And those get taken down when JD finds them.

The change interval is in the Warranty and Maintenance Guide, not in the main owner’s manual. (This is still part of the in-glovebox manuals, not a service-center manual.)

One example: https://assets.sia.toyota.com/publications/en/omms-s/T-MMS-1...

I use cable velcro ties. A big roll of them is cheap.

I'm yet to see a modern car with "good tech", the options tend to be:

- Mediocre tech at best.

- Awful tech at worse.

That’s where CarPlay comes in, the tech doesn’t matter. Your phone has good navigation right? Good messages, good music. So just use that. Then it doesn’t really matter how awful the car infotainment is.

Even “good” infotainment (tesla) is inferior to CarPlay in many ways, because it’s not your phone. You don’t get your maps app with everything magically synced and working.

I don't think Apple Carplay nor Android Audo are good technology either though. They both appear as an afterthought and are completely isolated from the car.