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Over the past decade, more businesses and service providers are moving towards SaaS (Software as a Service) and subscription model, which claims to provide user with the most up to date products and technologies. While I am not a supporter for such business model (I am still using MS Office 2019 instead of Office 365), I have no issue with it since it is one of the many options for consumers. But the recent move by Tesla and Mercedes actually have me sit up and wondering if the whole automotive industry is also moving towards this "new" business model, at the expense of consumer's interest? For those who are not aware, Tesla's full self-driving capability is now available via subscriptions instead of a lump sum cost up front. Full Self-Driving Capability Subscriptions Tesla has started offering a monthly subscription for its Full Self Driving package for $199 per month (i.e. $2,388 per annum). Tesla owners who bought the since-discontinued Enhanced Autopilot package can get the FSD subscription for $99 per month, according to Tesla’s support page. Until now the automaker had sold its FSD package for a one-time fee of $10,000, but the monthly subscription lets users test the FSD features without a long-term commitment. Tesla owners can cancel their monthly FSD subscription at any time, according to the terms on the Tesla website. And shortly after that, Mercedes follow suit with an annual subscription plan for Full Rear-Wheel Steering for its EQS in Germany. Mercedes-Benz EQS To Offer Rear-Wheel Steering As A Subscription All Mercedes-Benz EQS models leave the factory with all the hardware necessary to turn their rear wheels by up to 10 degrees, they just need the right software. Auto Motor und Sport reports that German customers can pay €489 ($571) per year to have the feature unlocked or put down €1,169 ($1,376) upfront to have the software for three years. Interestingly, the publication notes that the system also requires the 360-degree camera which itself is a €1,130 ($1,331) option. In Singapore, where we are literally leasing a car for 10 years, such subscription are simply adding on to the owner's expenses (without taking into consideration the saving in vehicle taxes if the cost were to be paid up front). Going at this rate, what will be next, virtual cockpit, AEB, FCW, etc. to be provided on subscription basis? And what if the owner did not make timely payment, will the important safety features be disabled suddenly, resulting in accident(s)? Share your view here.

This article sibeh zhunkar : https://medium.com/@BookSamurai/you-bought-it-but-dont-own-it-when-tesla-lg-and-smart-locks-turn-against-you-ad2dc552b4bc Think you own your smart TV, car, or digital lock? Think again. This deep dive exposes how companies like LG, Tesla, and others are quietly rewriting the rules of ownership through subscriptions and digital locks. Learn how to fight back and make smarter choices. We used to buy things. Now, we rent features from the products we own. Subscription capitalism has crept into every corner of our lives — quietly, aggressively, and often without consent. It’s no longer just about Netflix or Spotify. It’s your $2,000 smart TV, your fridge, your EV — and, in one horrifying case in Singapore, your front door lock. We are watching in real-time as the idea of ownership is being dismantled, feature by feature, ad by ad, paywall by paywall. LG’s Subscription Play: Turning Appliances Into Ad Platforms In 2023, LG announced it would transform its smart TVs and appliances into an ecosystem of services — complete with ads, subscriptions, and ongoing monetization through its webOS platform. Think your smart fridge is just for storing milk? Think again. It might soon push recipe ads, suggest grocery services, or require a subscription for premium functions. LG’s goal is clear: turn your home into a recurring revenue model. This isn’t just feature expansion — it’s feature gatekeeping. The Printer Industry Walked So LG Could Run This model isn’t new. Printers pioneered it decades ago. They sold you cheap hardware, then charged exorbitantly for ink. Worse, they often blocked third-party cartridges with DRM or “low ink” warnings even when the cartridges were full. And insultingly, people have realised that printer ink costs much more than human blood! One comedian even said in a stand up show that he might just fill his ink cartridges with his own blood to save money. Consumers hated it. But companies loved the profits. And now, it’s scaled into multi-thousand-dollar products. Of course savvy consumers fight back! And companies have relented and offered reasonable alternatives. We actively search for ink‑tank printers from Epson HP or Brother that offer cost-efficient, cartridge-free alternatives. Never will a savvy customer be held hostage to subscription based printing anymore! Consider these Ethical and Pragmatic alternatives: Epson EcoTank L1250 Color Catridge free ink tank — A reliable, refillable printer that minimizes cartridge waste and resists overpriced consumables. Tesla’s Hidden Battery Range: Pay to Unlock What’s Already There Tesla has followed the same playbook. Many Model Y RWD owners discovered their cars were capable of far more range — but only if they paid Tesla a software unlock fee. Up to 60 extra miles, already built in, just sitting behind a digital paywall. This sparked widespread backlash. Imagine buying a full tank of gas, but being told you need to subscribe to access the last quarter. Again, the Internet comes to the rescue, where Hackers have managed to Unlock Tesla Software locked features worth up to $15,000 Tesla reversed some controversial unlocks — but the model raises tough questions about digital ownership. And Then There’s Singapore: Smart Locks Gone Rogue In one of the most chilling examples of digital control, over 50 homeowners in Singapore were locked out of their homes in July 2025. Their smart digital locks — sold and managed by SHP (Smart Home Products) and distributed by Technex International — were remotely disabled after a supplier dispute. Not a tech failure. Not user error. This was a business conflict weaponized. On a personal note, I still trust a regular lock and key and put a copy with a trusted neighbour or family friend. What if your smart car doesn’t start because your subscription lapsed? Or your home becomes inaccessible because of a contract fight? The Bigger Issue: Ownership Is Becoming Illusionary Let’s be blunt: the devices in your home, the features in your vehicle, and the software in your locks are no longer fully yours. Corporations are: Locking hardware behind software Charging for features already built in Injecting ads into previously ad-free appliances Retaining remote control over essential devices This is not just about revenue — it’s about control, trust, and ethics. Where Is the Ethical Responsibility? Is it ethical to sell hardware that can be remotely disabled? Is it fair to charge for functions you already bought? Should customers dig through EULAs to protect basic rights? When a lock company can literally lock you out of your home, we’re not just dealing with subscriptions — we’re confronting corporate gatekeeping of reality. How Consumers Can Fight Back 1. Do Your Research Before Buying Look for products that don’t require ongoing subscriptions to remain functional and that don’t carry remote-disable clauses. 2. Choose Open, Offline-Ready Hardware Schlage Offline Electronic Lock — A robust, stand-alone lock that works without cloud dependencies, protecting you from remote lockouts. 3. Read the Fine Print — and Ask Questions Check for remote-control terms in warranties or T&Cs. Ask sellers directly: “Can this device be deactivated remotely?” 4. Share Your Story The Singapore smart-lock fiasco gained traction because people spoke out. Use reviews and social platforms to shed light on abusive policies. 5. Reward Ethical Brands Support companies that respect ownership and transparency — even if they charge a premium for device autonomy. 6. Demand Better Regulations Call for laws that prohibit unilateral remote disabling and mandate clear disclosure of subscription-based features before purchase. We Must Be Savvy — or Be Subscribed to Death The modern consumer must be vigilant. A fridge that shows ads today; a locked door tomorrow — if we don’t fight to retain control, we risk renting every aspect of our lives. We also have seen this with another glaring example of Microsoft Office being exponentially ditched when they started a subscription and individuals + corporations embracing the full Google Workspace. Individuals hate the subscription service model. We need to let companies know. When they hold consumers ransom and backed to a corner, consumers will fight back.

I am a newbie to this. What is the best way to get EPL content live and also on-demand ? I checked out Singtel Cast's Sports Plus but the offering is only real-time. Also, for NBA, are there local providers for live and on-demand? Thank you.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/asia/article/detail/T0298727EN/%E2%80%9Caccess-by-bmw%E2%80%9D-now-available-in-singapore?language=en Do you think this will take off in Singapore?

The French Cellar 'Wines' Up Without Notice - Customers Owed "Thousands Of Dollars"Sources: https://vulcanpost.com/665149/the-french-cellar-singapore-closure/ Online wine subscription platform, The French Cellar, announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday (28 May) that they have “ceased operations on 27 May 2019 and is now in the process of voluntary liquidation”. It cited “difficult business circumstances” as the reason. Screenshot of The French Cellar’s Facebook post The news came as a shock as apparently, there was no prior notice given to subscribers, some of whom have lost “thousands of dollars”. Existing customers will no longer receive the bottles of wine they’ve paid for. Liquidators will be in touch with them and affected customers can “file a proof of debt in respect of [their] wine subscription”, the post stated. No Sour Grapes, Just Relationships Gone Sour Daniel Ogunshakin, a Singapore-based FOX Sports Asia broadcast journalist, shared with Vulcan Post that he has been a customer at The French Cellar for the past 15 months. His Facebook comment expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the company handled his enquiry on his April order that didn’t reach him. Mr Ogunshakin subscribed to The French Cellar as he thought it was a convenient way to try new wines that he otherwise might not have tried. “We were lucky that we only paid on a per-month basis so we only lost $84,” he said. He revealed that the company didn’t inform him beforehand on the ceasing of its operations. “I even called them a week or so ago to ask where my wine was and was told it would be delivered last weekend,” Mr Ogunshakin told us. Ms Lee Hui Ting, however, wasn’t so “lucky”. Like Mr Ogunshakin, she subscribed to The French Cellar because it’s a convenient service. She paid $1,014 including GST, upfront, and received a free wine chiller. Ms Lee, who was a customer since July 2018, was surprised by the news and thought something was wrong when no one answered her call on Monday (27 May). “[The] number was unavailable when I called again on Wednesday. Only saw the post when I searched on Facebook.” Her order earlier this year was also delayed and the company also made a mistake on her order in March, which would have been correctly fulfilled in the past. Left with three more months of her subscription that can’t be fulfilled, Ms Lee said she will lose about $250. One of the subscribers who spoke to The Straits Times (ST) shared that they have already lodged a police report. This subscriber had signed up for the 12 months plan last November, paying an average of $143 a month, but she has only received four months’ worth of deliveries. According to her, The French Cellar blamed its tardy deliveries on the strikes that were happening in France, but she found that reason “rubbish”. Another customer Vulcan Post reached out to also had a similar experience. A corporate wine-tasting event held by The French Cellar / Image Credit: The French Cellar 33-year-old Roy Loi attended a free wine-tasting session The French Cellar conducted at a place somewhere in Cecil Street in April last year. He said that some 20 people attended the event and were given different wines and cheese to try. “It was a pretty good session. Not pushy. Very informative. Anyone [was] free to leave at any time,” he recounted. “And the sales guy, I think is one of the founders (sic), was conducting the event.” The software engineer told us he signed up after the session ended, so he’s been a customer since May 2018. He revealed that his subscription costs $84.53 monthly and he noticed in January 2019 that his order was delayed. Email issued by The French Cellar in April to Mr Loi / Image Credit: Roy Loi “They [also] missed my deliveries for February and March. I emailed them and got my wines after a few back-and-forths. They called me as well,” Roy said in a WhatsApp conversation with this writer. He lost about $168 so far as his April and May deliveries did not arrive. Roy was advised to cancel his credit card to stop the recurring charges, and he’s “glad” that he did not sign up for the annual subscription plan the company has been promoting, with the incentive of a free wine chiller. But he sincerely believes that The French Cellar sold good wines that was “value for money”. “Their service had been good up till January this year. So, I guess something must have gone very wrong by end-2018,” he guessed. What Could Have ‘Wine’ Wrong? Founders of The French Cellar / Image Credit: Qoo10 Founded in 2013 by Eric Joubert and Vincent Morello, The French Cellar wanted to make exclusive French wines selected by its sommelier accessible here. They dubbed themselves as the pioneer subscription company for wine and has delivered over 100,000 boxes in its five years of operations, their website stated. Customers can choose from three different tiers that suit their wine-drinking preferences. For the 12-month plans, monthly subscription fees range from $88 to $288. Those who don’t wish to commit to a year-long subscription can choose the “Pay As You Go” plan that starts at $108 per month, with the highest tier costing $328 a month. Every month, customers will receive two different bottles of wines with wine-tasting notes. ST reported that the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) had received five complaints against The French Cellar between 26 to 30 May, with claims worth a total of at least $5,000. It is highly possible that the business has been affected greatly by the “strikes” that happened in France. Based on The French Cellar’s email response to Mr Loi, we would assume that certain partnerships may have fell through, thus causing the “delays”. Going by the number of engagement on its Facebook, the company perhaps doesn’t have a wide enough customer base to sustain overheads. The business is targeting a niche market, seeing as they import wine directly from different French regions. Of course, accepting orders and money from consumers while knowing that their company will never be able to deliver is a dishonest move and only puts them in an even worse light. On top of that, announcing their closure on Facebook is sure to leave a sour taste in anyone’s mouth. The French Cellar’s website is still fully operational at the time of publishing. Featured Image Credit: The French Cellar

what now?

They are charging exhorbitant prices. Let's wait and see how long they can hold on to those charges.

got this promotional mail from citibank, newsweek subscription 1 yr 52 issue @ SGD49 bucks... should I?... but kinda thinking from the no free lunch perspective, I absolutely detest my personal infor falling into one of those millions of marketing database... :(

Anyone subscribed to the campaign? I did mine and didnt get my papers since the start date! its been almost 2 weeks already and they are still cheking Anyone got the same problem?

A sure win rewards and a chance to own a VW Tiguan 2.0 TSI (DSG). Did you subscribe? If no, why? http://www.subscribetost.com/faqs.html What are the sure-win rewards? Can I choose the reward? We have an exciting suite of rewards ranging from travel, experiences to electronic gadgets. The reward will actually be determined through 2 electronic draws and the timeline is as follows. Types of Rewards: 1. 11D9N Historic European Capitals Free & Easy Package for 2 2. 5D3N Tokyo Free & Easy Package for 2 3. 3N Pool Villa stay at Banyan Tree Phuket 4. 3N Pool Villa stay at Banyan Tree Ungasan 5. 1N stay at Grand Park Orchard hote 6. Half-day Luxurious Yacht Cruise Party for 10 7. Toshiba 42" Full HD LCD TV 8. Lenovo Thinkpad 9. Fuji Digital Camera 10. Aiptek Pocket DV Camcorder Timeline for Electronic Draws: Draw 1 (4th Nov 2010): For subscriptions received from 22nd Sep

1. Anyone here have subscribed to ADT, Chubb or Cisco home security package for HDB? 2. Which company is good and reliable? Thank you. Regards,

I am staying in CCK crescent... i would like to subscript for straitstimes weekend only ... sat and sun... anyone got the number to call?? any recommendation for good vendors?>??

How is the connection like using M1? Understand they are using SH network for internet connection so want to find if there is any problem like downtime, interruption etc.

hi bros as above. i have searched for a couple of live soccer subscription websites but i'm not sure if they are good. any bros have tried purchasing them? do give me your comments pls. i have starhub soccer package at home, but i would like the flexibility to watch tv on the go, either using laptop or at friend's place or at starbucks! plus, singtel has taken over UCL, i dont really want to pay more.