I was about to set off on an adventurous few hours when we encountered a moment to pause. It wasn’t a major issue—no flat tires or broken handles—just that my map application no longer connects to the music player on my phone. The recent “update” stripped away features, altered the music interface, and removed my ability to track my location on the map simultaneously.

This is what usually complicates my existence in an automated world. The promise of mandatory software updates is to enhance the applications and software we rely on daily, making them more user-friendly and secure. However, in many cases, these updates completely alter the technologies we’ve come to appreciate.

I had finally adjusted to how my device functioned, but did I truly feel secure knowing that the controls could suddenly shift at any time? Sorry—it’s a whole new ball game now! What about those features I relied on frequently, like community-generated subtitles on YouTube and the option to view historical statistics? Apologies, but those have either vanished entirely or are now hidden behind a paywall. This situation breeds paranoia. I’ve found myself immersed in a Reddit thread populated with individuals convinced that the latest operating system updates are reducing their phone’s battery life significantly. Did this actually happen? Who can tell?

This is one reason I feel uneasy about “smart” appliances. While Hollywood portrayals of hackers and robot revolts aren’t particularly terrifying, I’m more concerned about disruptive updates, vanishing features, or unnecessary enhancements. I worry that anonymous developers, miles away, could make a simple change that degrades their apps and software overnight. Half of my computer’s programs are cluttered with the latest AI gimmickry. Just wait until manufacturers of household items decide they need to join in too.

Do you tolerate products that have diminished in quality over time simply because the manufacturer decided so, rather than normal wear and tear? A hammer that inexplicably removed the nail puller unless you pay for a ridiculous new subscription? Shouldn’t you also have a faucet that consistently delivers hot water, instead of being arbitrarily limited by the creator’s whims? It really shouldn’t be like that.

I’ve learned to cope without a map and a connected audio controller. Yet, I still feel the impact. Perhaps it serves as a constant reminder that living a more simplified life, detached from the relentless updates of faceless corporations, is not such a terrible fate.