Mastodawn

Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features
Walmart wants to connect what people stream "directly with retail interaction."
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/03/newly-purchased-vizio-tvs-now-require-walmart-accounts-to-use-smart-features/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

Show thread

Don Whiteside 1d ago

@arstechnica @lisamelton Oh no please don't really punish me and disable all smart features unless I sign in please please don’t. #briarpatch

Show thread

MeaningfulBits

@donw @arstechnica @lisamelton they require Internet for ota channel data, display ads over regular network tv, and brand it like the channels are coming from them (Vizio Free). Unless you keep it strictly off your network and only use it only as an HDMI display you'll see ads from Vizio.