The author, @ShaneMorris, says "Sound familiar?" and links to the Doctorow "Unauthorized Bread" short story[1].
But you don't need hypotheticals! The defunct Juicero required a wifi connection to "check the packet's expiration", but was enforcing use of their proprietary fruit packets. (Can't find an authoritative source atm but it was what everyone assumed and what their business model effectively required[2].)
And IIRC Keurig seriously considered doing this or had already implemented it.
The cartridge system adds a consumable part for the sake of having a consumable part.
I'm sure it's only a matter of time until they try the same thing on dishwashers and washing machines.
"The Wash Master 4000 is optimized to work with a range of certified detergents. The following cartridges are compatible with your new Wash Master 4000..."
That does make me think, I've only thought to look at it in my parents' old and new dishwashers, but they both had basically 'ads' that the detergent slot had cascade branding on it.
I always wonder how much P&G pays for that sort of placement.
But you don't need hypotheticals! The defunct Juicero required a wifi connection to "check the packet's expiration", but was enforcing use of their proprietary fruit packets. (Can't find an authoritative source atm but it was what everyone assumed and what their business model effectively required[2].)
And IIRC Keurig seriously considered doing this or had already implemented it.
[1] https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2020/01/unauthorized-bread-a-...
[2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15154723