Modern products and services, fake upgrades, and the myth of future-proofing
Video version of this article
The SHORT video version
Prelude
Many people find my reviews helpful because I stay objective and go into details. Even on the rare occasions when companies offer money for reviews, I insist on full honesty – pointing out every downside and problem, and clearly disclosing any payments or free samples.
[BikeGremlin universal review disclaimer]
This article serves as my default product and service review disclaimer.
I refer to it whenever I review anything – tools, computers, software, or any other products.
The same marketing tactics, limitations, and traps apply across industries.
In addition to that, here are a few more facts you should keep in mind before buying any product:
Introduction
What I talk about here is prevalent in every industry. I will be using tools, most notably Bosch, as an example, but that’s all it is. Other manufacturers (and industries) are not better. I’ll discuss the hype, common tricks to take your money, and how being aware of them cannot really save you (with next to no alternatives in modern capitalism), but at least you can be a bit less cheated.
Regardless of whether you’re buying a drill or a hair dryer, there are three major trends in modern capitalism that all serve the same goal.
Those trends are:
- Connect everything to the Net to keep you tracked and enforce (monthly) subscriptions.
This keeps a steady income stream for the corporations. - Fake progress by making one improvement and one thing worse – and basically swapping the two for the next version.
This keeps you frustrated and always looking to buy the next-best-thing. - Convince you to pay more for “security” and “future-proofing”.
This increases the profits and sells more expensive stuff.
Let’s unwrap those:
1. All connected – forcing subscription?
Here’s an example to discuss – two Bosch 18V Pro power tools:
1.1. Older tool – optional connection
My Bosch Pro GWX 18V-125 PSC angle grinder has a button to select the rotation speed from 1 ~ 4,500 rpm; 2 ~ 6,700 rpm; 3~ 9,000 rpm;
(each press cycles to the next speed mode).
It does have an option to (buy and) install a Bluetooth module, but that would provide some usage stats and similar data. It doesn’t affect how the tool performs.
1.2. Newer tool – “obligatory” connection
My Bosch Pro GBH 187-LI hammer drill has a button to switch from “Auto” (factory default with max. rotation speed) to “Favorite”.
The problem is that to configure the “Favorite” speed, you must connect the tool to a smartphone, using the Bosch smartphone app!
This opens the door to:
- User tracking and surveillance – since smartphones are often connected to the Internet.
- Inconvenient use and even injury – the last thing I want on a jobsite is to fiddle with my phone (especially when wearing protective gloves).
- Remote factory lock of functions – if the tool is Bluetooth controlled and the phone is connected to the Internet, the manufacturer can decide to block some features (as we saw with BMW and car seat heating controlled by a “subscription charged service“).
Again: it is not just tool manufacturers that are trying to keep us connected whenever possible. This is present everywhere: from home appliances to automobiles.
That is what I call subtle, “implicit,” degradation. Let’s move on to the more explicit stuff:
2. One step forward – (two) step(s) back
2.1. Forced features
For this example, I’ll use my Bosch Pro GDS 18V-400 impact wrench. It has no Bluetooth (not even as an option), and all its functions are available via buttons.
This tool offers 400 Nm of torque for tightening (and 600 Nm for loosening).
An extra neat feature of the tool is the ABR (“Automatic Bolt Release”) that auto-stops the tool when you’ve loosened the bolt (when next-to-no torque resistance from the bolt is “felt” by the tool).
Now, what if I were looking for a similar no-nonsense tool that has just a little bit more power (torque)?
The closest alternative is Bosch Pro GDS 18V-450 HC. In this case, apart from slightly higher weight, there are no artificially removed options, but the Bluetooth module is now built in (obligatory).
It is fair to say that important settings can be set using just the buttons, so this is the less intrusive option, but you’re still paying for it though.
Unfortunately, that is a shining example when looking at the state of things today. Let’s see how it is usually done:
2.2. Cut crucial features
When I was considering which camera to get for my YouTube channel video recording, I saw Sony ZV-E10 – and a newer model “Sony ZV-E10 II“.
The new model fixed some of the problems encountered with the first model. Here is a short list of the improvements:
- Longer battery life
Higher capacity NP-FZ100 battery for 130 minutes of recording – instead of 80 for the first model. - Better low-light performance
26MP back-illuminated (BSI) APS-C sensor – instead of 24MP sensor. - More powerful video recording
60 fps 4K recording possible thanks to the faster BIONZ XR processor – instead of 30 fps possible with the old BIONZ X. - Improved autofocus
With a 759-point autofocus system covering 94% of the frame – instead of 425 points and 84% coverage. - User interface boost
More intuitive – touchscreen with full-menu navigation.
However, there were some crucial downgrades that beat the point of buying it as a hand recording camera (for YouTube and vlogging):
- Lack of IBIS !?!
The new model got it ditched! No in-body-image-stabilization! This makes no sense for a vlogging camera – unless you are already planning to re-introduce it with MARK III. - Electronic shutter only
New model uses only an electronic shutter, which can lead to some stutter in fast-paced scenes or under some lighting conditions. - Increased price
This goes without saying nowadays, of course.
Trends like these are not limited to Sony. Most companies resort to it. I just used a fresh example from my own experience.
3. Future-proofing – it is a myth!
Future is unpredictable enough by itself. Now, add to that the fact that companies are deliberately trying their best to make sure we must buy new stuff – because our old stuff will become obsolete, if it doesn’t break down (without a reasonably convenient and cheap repair).
So, if you try to “future-proof”, you are not just playing a very difficult game, but it is also rigged (against you). Smart, capable men with big budgets are stacked against you – with the natural unpredictability of the future on their side to boot!
Future-proofing is just one of the tools used by marketing departments to make you buy more expensive stuff than you originally planned (or need in the first place).
Conclusion
I am no fool – I’m aware of all this – even when I am buying or reviewing products and tools. Most of you are, too. But for those who aren’t, I wanted to make a clear explanation with concrete examples.
Yes – it sucks. No – none of us can buy our way out of this. Whether it’s a drill, a camera or a fridge, the same playbook applies:
- Sell you “smart” features you didn’t ask for.
- Remove or cripple things that used to work fine.
- Market it as progress (and bump up that price!).
Being aware of this game can still help us make the least bad choices (the word good doesn’t fit when describing modern capitalism), and keep at least some of our money (and sanity). 🙂
Nothing more, nothing less.
Remember the goal I mentioned at the start?
Yeah – it’s not to help you, empower you, or make better products.
It’s to keep you spending.
P.S. Fake reviews
Not all reviews are what they seem. Some look like in-depth presentations but are basically polished ads. Here’s one example – a Bosch trim router review I stumbled upon while looking to purchase for myself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsZxRKutPXs
It looks like a review/presentation, but here’s why it feels (to me, based on my knowledge and experience) more like advertising than genuine field-tested insight:
Why this feels like advertising, not a review
- Tone and delivery
Polished, upbeat delivery. Everything sounds like a promo script – no rough edges, no real-world grit. - Lack of (real) critical depth
No cons, no limitations, no testing under tough conditions. That’s not a review – that’s a brochure read aloud.
The few downsides mentioned seem more like they are added to make it look like it is objective, than real criticism.
Likewise, the flimsy addon part shown is pre-emtively commented as a mistake on the part of the presenter (a common marketing technique to show flaws and paint them as features). - Visual style
Perfect lighting, heavy B-roll, clean branding. Basically, product porn. Sponsored or not, it sells the image. - No authenticity cues
No visible wear, no first-hand anecdotes, no long-term comparison to other products. Feels like they unboxed it, filmed it, and moved on.
If you’re watching for real insight – beware. This isn’t about helping you make informed choices. It’s about selling you something.
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