Mode for more subscriptions

Two weeks ago, Garmin announced it was Launching a new subscription. Where the Garmin Connect app had previously shown everything from in -depth standards and free training plans, the popular Fitness Tech now adds AI summaries, among other features, behind the Paywall wall. in the edge Comments, my social media, R/Garmin subreddit mentioned, crying about discrimination.

Then, earlier this week, Garmin-Commortitor Polar announced that it was also a distinct subscription called called Polar fitness plan. There was no component of Amnesty International, but in short, Polar is now asking users for a long time to pay the costs of previously provided training plans, in some capabilities, for free.

The march towards subscriptions, especially in the wearable space, did not arise overnight. You can follow it again Apple’s nefarious services occurred in 2019 (If not earlier), when the company led to a noticeable shift from devices to services. But examples of Garmin and Polar stand out. In the world of excellent rugged smart watches, the fans often for a long time for hundreds-sometimes thousands-from dollars to their devices because They were not Paywall features.

“Garmins has always felt a little on the high side price, but it was justified that there was no ongoing cost,” Aaronpfisher threads She told me when I asked Garmin loyalists how they felt. “I took more, more and hiding behind the Paywall wall, and so I am afraid that this will end too.”

The subscription expert, Ruby Kilman Paxter, Subscription expert, author Membership economy and The deal is forever. “They told customers not worrying – that the basic program will be always available for free. But they were not clear about whether they would continue to improve the free version or to what extent they will continue to improve the free version.”

It is a concept frustration. In general, Paxter says that customers resist subscription to reach the features or differences if they had previously received them for free. This bears in modern examples. Oura Health, the famous smart ring maker, faced A tremendous reverse reaction Upon launching a subscription alongside Oura Ring Gen 3 in 2021. Recently, YouTube Marques Brownee, known as MKBHD, incurred the internet anger while it was Submit a subscription to the background application. Likewise, BMW also received heat when it is Try to add a monthly subscription For hot seats in its cars.

But this anger may be something that consumers must get used to in the coming months. Increasingly, The sales of the devices no longer keep the lights – President Trump’s tariff will only add fuel to subscription wars.

Regardless of the final tariff prices, and the experts who spoke to them freedom He largely agreed to this Tool prices will rise – and the price of everything else –. In the event that nothing is not changed, the short -term purchase may stimulate, as consumers rush to capture devices before high prices. This may adhere to their devices for a longer period and buy less in the period from mid to a long time. In this scenario, shipping services becomes the most obvious way to maintain lights.

“If the devices become more expensive, the program will be a way to grow hardware companies,” says Paxter. “It may also change how to manufacture their products-with long-term stability design and software flexibility. If companies are designed to continue twice, and to provide a lot of value through program promotions, you may be able to transfer more revenues through the” program “side by” devices. “

The question is whether companies can convince their customers that the cost is worth it. Simply put on new features without thinking about the value they can offer can alienate loyal users. In fitness technology, the athletes have greatly criticized Strafta’s attempt to add value to its subscription through artificial intelligence summaries, describing the advantage as useless. (Or, more volatile, like “Read a book report written by a third -grade student.“))

Either way, it does not seem to be any rest for fatigue to subscribe any time soon.