When you connect a new device to a 'smart' tv, you must pay homage to the manufacturer with a ritualistic dance. Plugging and unplugging the device. Turning them on and off in the correct sequence like entering a konami code.
Every time you want to switch devices, the tv must scan for them. And god forbid you lose power, or unplug something. You are granted the delight experience of doing it all over again.
I have fond memories of the days of just plugging something in, and pressing the input button. Instant gratification. It was a simpler time.
What is some other tech that used to be better?
I think radios the fact the digital ones use much more battery and just break all the time. I think FM was higher quality as well at least in the UK.
I had a crank powered am/fm radio, no bigger or heavier than a pack of cards, that used a pair of wired headphones as the antenna. About a minute of cranking got you about 20 mins of surprisingly decent quality radio. I used to use it all the time for years, until it got water damaged camping one time. No chance of doing that with digital radio (or Bluetooth headphones).
FM > DAB
They can pry the radio from my 15 year old car from my cold dead hands. I want analog controls not a touch screen! Tuning should be done with a knob. Nothing more.
I'd agree and broaden this to lots of controls. It's nice to have physical inputs with tactile feedback. Especially in cars. I don't want to use a fucking touchscreen to adjust the radio or the climate controls. And universally the touchscreens lag occasionally. Yeah. Don't want that when adjusting volume or temp. Thanks.