I get what you are saying. While technically they are type of subscriptions too and we won't die without trash collection, electricity, water, sewer, etc. I mean depending on how broadly we are talking; rent, mortgage, and even income and property taxes could be thought of subscriptions too. However, all those things are also widely considered the bare basics of modern life vs luxuries. Something we all have to pay as a cost of being a part of civilized modern society. But could survive without it? Sure.

At this point home internet, and even mobile internet, are a lot closer to basic utilities than luxuries as well. Especially, home internet. Which is why I included the list above with and without internet and as a basic utility. I am old enough to remember when they too were more on the luxury end of things and not really necessary for day to day life.

It all depends on ones situation. I use it to work remotely several times a work.

The plan also includes HBO Max and the cost of a new iPhone pro with a TB of storage over 3 years at zero percent interest. Take those out and it is would be more like $95/month for two lines. I am sure even cheaper exists. But the speeds and coverage are likely to be less too.

I like to go out to the middle of nowhere from time to time. The major carriers have way better coverage in remote areas. I switched to a major carrier after getting separated by my group with no way to contact them about 100 miles from any town or city. I wasn't in dire straights, I just didn't want to finish the journey solo. Or wanted them to worry, and or leave the meeting point without me If it took me a long time to get there. Fortunately, I came across someone else along a banks of the Colorado River, and they had service and I was able to get ahold of someone from my group. The next month I switched carriers. Since that experience when I am out in the backcountry as an additional backup, I make sure at least a couple of other people in the group I am with carries 16 mile rage two way radios too.

Personally, it reminds me of Fern Gully. Regardless, same story retold another way.

Well, not my my fridge....sInce it isn't a Samsung; and now apparently never will be in the future.

I still have a digital alarm clock with a built in radio I bought back in 1991. It’s only special feature is a spot for a 9 volt backup batter so it continues to work even if the power go out or trips over night. I bought it to make sure I’d wake up for my paper route. I mean, I’ve upgraded since then but it still kicking and in use in one of my kids’ rooms.

I refused to be nickel and dime for hardware I buy, that said I certainly have my subscriptions:
Cellphone (2 lines, unlimited data): $145
Home internet: $88
Streaming video: $55
Online newspapers: $45
Audio books: $12
Total: $345/$112 per month; or $4140/$1344 per year

The second figure excludes Internet. It could be argued cellphone and home internet are necessary instead of discretionary since I work from home. But those other subscriptions use them too. The internet obviously isn’t used solely just for work.

And yet if it is so well documented why wasn’t the retailer document and outed? They say they provided a receipt. I didn’t see one in their “well documented” account. It’s just their word. They could be telling the truth. They could be omitting salient details. Frankly, we don’t know because it is in fact NOT well documented in a public facing way along side his claims.

I like generally like Apple products. I also have no loyalty to any particular brand beyond a learned assumption of poor or good quality products or service derived from of decades of experience. I have no allusion any company has my best interests at heart. Particularly a large corporation. They primarily exist to make money for the owners and/or shareholders. If they also happen to make something useful it is usually just a byproduct of trying to make as much money as possible and not really the point or their driving force for existing. We should all act accordingly.

Your assumptions of guilt or innocence in this matter in facts speaks your biases. You are projecting the inverse of your biases on me. It certainly isn’t based the documented facts in this case. They say it’s a major retailer. There are many shady large businesses. Size doesn’t equate legitimacy. Name the retailer and we probably get our answer as to why the card was compromised.

Seems fishy, why not out the retailer? They say it’s a major one. Assuming that is the case, wouldn’t involving them be prudent. I feel we are not getting the full story here.

Does this include VR consoles? Though not solely video game consoles the quest 3 and 3S now cost less than a PS5. I wish the graphics were on par with the best PS5 games, but it’s triple A games like Arkham’s Shadow, Deadpool VR, and Asagard’s Wrath 2 are pretty amazing.

Doughn't ewe nough awl dis cumplanin' iz phawkyn' stewpid. Trewli pherst wherld prawblemz.

Agreed. While I would rather not tip at all and just pay the full cost up front. I agree with you wholeheartedly. It is one of the only reasons I keep cash around. I will not pre tip. I will tip when they arrive. How much depends on the quality of service they provide. I also make a point over the phone, yes I can when I can instead of ordering online, to tell them I will be taping in cash when they arrive so they delivery driver doesn't think they are getting stiffed. Uber Eats and Door Dash can suck a satchel of phalii. Low pay, high prices, nickels and dimes their customers. Though I also only live 5 minutes or less from some 50 restaurants. So it isn't trek to pick up my own food for more than just pizza or Chinese food. So I am not their demographic to begin with.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
exactly I'd up vote you, but....no points.

I want a 4xe with only had a 21 mile electric only mode. Under ideal conditions. Most Americans drive 30-40 miles a day. Given range fluctuations due to conditions, 40-45 miles is the bare minimum for that feature to be useful for most people. If it had that I probably would have bought one.

We have a PHEV sedan that gets about 45 miles on electric only and we only end up using gas when we drive anywhere longer than about an hour away. A range 45 miles easily gets us to downtown and back with plenty of range left over. Even if we are caught in traffic. We only have to put gas in that care every few months.

With an only 21 mile range it isn't worth the extra cost over just an ICE vehicle as I would have to buy gas all the time anyway. I have a ICE Jeep I use for hauling gear and off roading. I would love to be able to use that car for an around town vehicle on the cheep too. 45 mile range and I would have jumped on it.

No one needs to finance the phone through their carrier. You can in fact buy an unlocked phone from my carrier or bring your own unlocked phone. However, a 3 year 0% interest loan isn't the bad deal you seem to make it out to be. And the best part? No one is forcing you to enter into such an agreement.

Sim locking makes sense as long as there in is Phone deal such as they give you a $1200 phone for "free" as long as you promise to pay their inflated service pricing for 3 years. However if a phone is bought from a clear. Or if that term has expired, yet a locked phone should be illegal. I most places it is.

in this instance Verizon shot itself in the foot. Realized it and tried to force someone into new terms.