You’ve purchased a smart device, but it often feels like the company still controls what appears on the screen. Whether it’s a fridge, car, or computer, many devices update long after you’ve brought them home. It’s not uncommon to find ads displayed on these screens. This raises an important concern: what happens to your screen when you’ve already paid for it? It’s frustrating, especially when software updates, meant to keep devices safe and functional, turn them into advertising platforms.
Take, for instance, the Samsung Family Hub refrigerator. Promoted as a connected hub for household tasks like checking the weather or managing your grocery list, it now displays ads after updates. Samsung confirmed that this was part of a pilot program that began last year. Users can opt out of these ads by adjusting their settings, but it’s still jarring to see advertisements on a product you bought for its intended purposes.
Turning Off Ads on Samsung Family Hub
If you want to turn off these ads, here’s how:
- Tap setting
- Tap advertisement
- Tap cover screen advertising
- Toggle to off
You can also switch the cover screen theme to one that doesn’t show ads.
Ads in Cars
Now, let’s shift gears to our cars. Some Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler vehicles have been known to show promotional messages on their infotainment screens. Stellantis, the parent company, claims its system, meant for vital notifications like recalls, also included promotional content, but they insist that this will not be the case moving forward. Owners could previously opt out, but currently, there are no such in-car promotions.
This shift in how we perceive vehicle screens is significant. They’re primarily for directions and music control, so seeing an ad can feel intrusive, especially when you’ve invested a lot into the car.
Windows 11 and Ads
Then there’s Windows 11. Here, ads and promotional content can appear across various areas of the operating system, such as on the lock screen and in the Start menu settings. These notifications can feel more like annoyances rather than helpful prompts, especially when they signal you to use services like OneDrive. Microsoft hasn’t commented on the growing concern over this design choice.
Reducing Ads in Windows 11
You can minimize these interruptions through your settings:
Change Lock Screen Settings
- Go to setting
- Click personalization
- Click lock screen
- Switch Windows Spotlight to photograph
- Disable Get fun information, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen
Limit Start Menu Recommendations
- Go to setting
- Click personalization
- Click start
- Turn off toggles for Recommendations and personalized offers
Microsoft may tweak their wording, so look out for terms like recommendations and suggestions.
What This All Means
The core issue is not just seeing an ad here or there; it’s about how software updates can alter the devices after purchase. Once a simple appliance or tool, your fridge, car screen, or computer has become a platform for companies to promote their services post-sale. While updates may bring security fixes, consumers should remain cautious about what changes occur after an update. Always check settings after new installations and be proactive in opting out of unwanted advertisements.
Final Thoughts
Think critically when purchasing smart devices. Consider what kind of software is running them and whether you can manage advertising content. As a new device is set up, take a moment to explore the settings rather than accepting defaults. Pay attention to options that might let you limit notifications and ads. After all, when you invest in a product, you’d expect it to serve you, not just become another advertising board.
