Pay no attention to the USB port behind the “no USB” sticker (theverge.com)

Article summary

HP has been criticized for placing a sticker over a USB port on one of its printers, seemingly to encourage wireless printing. However, some argue that the sticker is not intended to deceive users, but rather to inform them that the printer supports Wi-Fi. The incident has sparked a discussion about the practices of printer manufacturers. The article mentions that HP's actions are not the worst thing the company has done with its hardware.

Main themes

• Printer manufacturers' practices
• Wireless printing
• Product branding and advertising
• Customer experiences with printer brands
• Restrictive software and third-party compatibility
• Deceptive practices in tech industry

What commenters say

• Some people remove stickers and logos from products because they find them visually distracting or dislike advertising on their possessions.
• Others have had positive experiences with certain printer brands, such as Brother, which they praise for their simplicity and lack of restrictive software.
• There are concerns that even reputable brands like Brother may be starting to adopt more restrictive practices, such as rejecting third-party ink.
• A few commenters have mentioned that they have been able to use third-party toner and drums with their Brother printers without issues, contradicting reports of the company rejecting such products.
• The discussion also touches on the topic of car dealerships placing logos and advertisements on vehicles, with some people expressing frustration at being forced to advertise for the dealer.
• Some commenters believe that certain companies, like HP, engage in deceptive practices to push their own products and services.
• Others argue that the sticker on the HP printer is not deceptive, but rather a way to inform users about the device's Wi-Fi capabilities.