Oz regulator tells telly-makers to mind their language
Sony, LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp won't say “WiFi Ready” any more
The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) has told the top five telly-makers to stop describing their products as “WiFi Ready” when a dongle is needed to connect them to a network.
"The ACCC considered that the term 'Ready', when used in promoting audiovisual products, is widely understood by consumers to mean the product is capable of accessing WiFi, without the need to purchase any further device," said ACCC Chairman Rod Sims.
A single complaint from a punter who was grumpy about having to stump up another AUD$120 for a WiFi adapter led the Comission to round up Sony, LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sharp, all of which promised never to use the phrases “WiFi ready” or “Wireless LAN Ready” ever again.
The five will now use more descriptive phrases like “USB Wireless LAN adaptor required” or the postively Shakespearean “WiFi Capable with Optional Adaptor”.
“Wireless LAN Adaptor required, sold separately” is another option that will doubtless brighten boxes.
The phrases above will be slapped on tellies and any other AV kit that purports to have connectivity powers. ®
COMMENTS
"So the only option to produce one unit sellable across the world, is for manufacturers to make optional all the stuff which much raise eyebrows of the customs and certification authorities. It's called "globalization" - looked it up."
No its not, its to make it part of the package. They sell a TV in Australia, the retailers get sent a package of USB adaptors that they then include FREE with the TV, ooooh that was really hard, therefore the packaged item is WiFi ready. There's absolutely no reason why the wifi adpator should be an optional extra, oh yes except they can charge $120 for something that normaly costs around $20-$30 from a computer shop.
Considered how little it costs to put wireless in, they should just build it in and stuff the stupid dongle.
Phrases like wireless ready is just to fool people and then milk them again for the addon when they find the TV doesn't actually have wireless. Total scam and should be cracked down on.
half the time it's down to the store selling it too. I've had plenty of stores where I'll be looking at a TV or a computer and I'll hear a salesman spout a load of BS
"Does the TV need any special adapter?"
"No no, it comes with everything you need"
A few minutes later I tend to walk over and list off the amount of BS spouted to them, followed by the truth.
Hell I had one salesman try to tell somebody the difference between an i3, i5 and i7 was the number of cores, with i3 being 3 cores, so on so forth. It took a lot of will power not to call him retarded while he was still stood there.
ACCC are reasonably good at common sense
And at issuing $LARGE fines to companies which jerk them around.
2 other decisions I can think of off the top of my head:
$2million fine given to an ISP offering bogus unlimited internet (company previously fined $13k, then did it again)
Declaring DVD region coding as an illegal retraint of trade.
Compared to the UK and EU agencies they're a positive shining example.
