Apple spearheads user-hostile decisions and everyone willingly accepts it (even cheers for it) because hey, it's Apple. Google, Samsung etc. copy them down the line, and by then it is too late to complain and reverse the trend.
Tesla spearheaded (1) removing Carplay/Android Auto and charging monthly for maps/traffic/connectivity, (2) hiding features behind paid software upgrades, (3) hiding performance improvements behind monthly subscriptions, (4) providing charging for a monthly fee. Everyone cheered them on as revolutionary, and it is too late to complain now. Of course other manufacturers are going to copy them.
> (1) removing Carplay/Android Auto and charging monthly for maps/traffic/connectivity, (2) hiding features behind paid software upgrades, (3) hiding performance improvements behind monthly subscriptions, (4) providing charging for a monthly fee.
1: tesla never supported carplay, although it is anti-user at this point. And the monthly sub for this is traffic data (which does cost n > 0 to Tesla) and access to cellular streaming, which also costs then per GB to AT&T.
2: FSD Beta? this costs tons of engineering hours. I made a case for heated seats in SR+ vehicles being gated behind a $300 one-time purchase here[0]
3: performance improvements were the result of continued stress and stability testing of the motors, and it resulted in a one-time acceleration boost[1], not a subscription
4: vehicle charging for a monthly fee? They have a subscription for non-EVs to charge that grants you access to discounted rates, but this isn't a thing otherwise.
You can say all of the same for the article being discussed. It takes time and effort to engineer a fast car. If you aren't okay with Mercedes charging monthly for it, you should not be okay with Tesla's business model as well.
Tesla spearheaded (1) removing Carplay/Android Auto and charging monthly for maps/traffic/connectivity, (2) hiding features behind paid software upgrades, (3) hiding performance improvements behind monthly subscriptions, (4) providing charging for a monthly fee. Everyone cheered them on as revolutionary, and it is too late to complain now. Of course other manufacturers are going to copy them.