We were a few weeks ahead of the general hubbub when BMW rolled-out their heated seats as a service in 2021. This was no doubt the result of being sensitized to the issue by watching the farmers battle John Deere for almost a decade, culminating in this:
President Biden Sides With Farmers Over "Right to Repair", Deere Responds (DE; AAPL; MSFT)
It's bizarre that this is still an issue. I thought that with Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 568 U.S. 519, and the First Sale Doctrine, that it had been decided you own what you bought.
And though Apple isn't immediately affected by the coming Executive Order, they have been using Deere as a stalking horse on the issue and should be called to account as well...
And from The Drive, November 20:
Mercedes Makes Better Performance a $1,200 Subscription in Its EVsThe $1,200 yearly fee increases horsepower and torque, while dropping 0-60 times, for all Mercedes EQ electric models.
Mercedes is now taking subscription fees to an entirely new, maddening level. For new Mercedes EQ electric models, customers will have to pay a $1,200 (plus tax) yearly subscription to unlock the full performance potential of their cars.
If you head to Mercedes' online store, you will find an "Acceleration Increase" subscription service for all EQ models. According to Mercedes, the yearly fee increases the maximum horsepower and torque of the car, while also increasing overall performance. Acceleration from 0-60 mph is said to improve by 0.8-1.0 seconds and the overall characteristics of the electric motors are supposed to change as well. The extra performance is unlocked by selecting the Dynamic drive mode.
These are the models the acceleration subscription is available on and what sort of power gains they get:....
*The spin and contortions on Deere's part were Olympic gymnast caliber:
John Deere Tells Patent Office That Purchasers Don't Actually Own the Machine They Paid For (DE)
May 2015
"John Deere Clarifies: It's Trying To Abuse Copyright Law To Stop You From Owning Your Own Tractor... Because It Cares About You" (DE)
November 2016
For the Next Two Years Auto Manufacturers Can't Have You Arrested...
...for trying to repair or modify the software on your own car.
