I work at a company that is starting this debate releasing a product that is "good enough" and some time after launch provide a substantial upgrade package OTA for additional cost.
Some members of the team, especially the older generation, are very much against this idea. They suggest we develop the product until we get the most we can out of the hardware then never touch it again. They fear customers will be unhappy that the hardware box they bought last year suddenly has better performance because of an update (that they had to pay more for).
Younger members of the team suggest that we can ship it earlier and working well but not completely optimized. Then release this update unlocking better performance.
Or, as another example, many years ago the Italian FIAT and the Spanish SEAT were making very similar models with same engines but the SEAT had the same engine tuned down to fewer HPs since it was the "cheaper" line, or in more recent times when within the same car manufacturer catalog sported three different cars belonging to different segments that had the same engine with only a few different parts (besides ECU regulations) with three different power levels.
- a good way for regulators to make money off any vehicle owner who choses to upgrade a vehicle
-an ominous expansion of 'upgrade package' marketing for one of life's essentials. BMW are already flogging subscription heated seats.
I can buy an entire engine and ECU (LS, Magnum etc) for around 250 bucks in a US wrecking yard, spend around 2.5k to rebuild and have a 500 hp engine. I worry the era of parts scavenging (highly efficient environmental recycling and a major source of revenue for many) is being aggressively curtailed in the name of centralized control and profits. (I'm currently in UK and already looking for older Jaguar parts over here, same logic).
Right to own and modify is gravely under threat in many other areas too, IMO the 'younger generation' (sic) seem strangely unconcerned or aware of this, presumably assuming product abundance and affordable pricing will last forever...
I work at a company that is starting this debate releasing a product that is "good enough" and some time after launch provide a substantial upgrade package OTA for additional cost.
Some members of the team, especially the older generation, are very much against this idea. They suggest we develop the product until we get the most we can out of the hardware then never touch it again. They fear customers will be unhappy that the hardware box they bought last year suddenly has better performance because of an update (that they had to pay more for).
Younger members of the team suggest that we can ship it earlier and working well but not completely optimized. Then release this update unlocking better performance.
Is this really a generational thing?