Neu gekaufte Vizio-Fernseher erfordern jetzt Walmart-Konten, um intelligente Funktionen nutzen zu können
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/03/newly-purchased-vizio-tvs-now-require-walmart-accounts-to-use-smart-features/?utm_source=bsky&utm_medium=social
25 Kommentare
From the article, and very revealing:
>This week’s announcement shows Walmart further integrating Vizio and looking to more deeply leverage Vizio OS’s ads and tracking capabilities to fuel its [$6.4 billion ads business](https://www.adexchanger.com/commerce/walmarts-ad-revenue-totaled-6-4-billion-in-2025-as-the-ecom-flywheel-started-to-spin/). In Vizio’s final quarter as its own company, its ad business [made](https://s29.q4cdn.com/107810760/files/doc_financials/2024/q3/Exhibit-99-1-Q3-2024-10-31-24.pdf) a gross profit of $115.8 million, and its hardware business lost $6.7 million. Walmart doesn’t break out Vizio’s financials, but in a February call with investors, John David Rainey, CFO and EVP of Walmart, [said](https://stock.walmart.com/_assets/_08ee5483ec4c057568cc8774f3fd6aad/walmart/db/938/9972/transcript_management_call/CORRECTED+TRANSCRIPT++Walmart%2C+Inc.%28WMT-US%29%2C+Q4+2026+Earnings+Call%2C+19-February-2026+8+00+AM+ET.pdf) Vizio “saw triple-digit growth in advertising” during Walmart’s fiscal Q4 2026.
And lots of folks will happily sign in to their TV when asked. Most folks can’t be troubled with privacy.
“Dude, I got such a good deal on this TV.”
Next… paid subscription to use smart features
Fully expecting to get hit with this on my now 8 year old TV with the next firmware update.
Which, I guess somewhat to their credit, I’m still getting firmware updates.
P85QX-H1
Just don’t accept the terms of service and never sign in. Use a different streaming device. Use it as just a dumb tv.
Oooh cool way to be stuck with a dumb tv then lol
That’s a brand name I haven’t heard in a while.
I bought a new Vizio about 9 months ago. I wonder what their plans are for recently bought tvs.
I use an Nvidia Shield thankfully.
Where do I apply to make millions of dollars a year to make objectively terrible business decisions?
Roku, a console, or just a dedicated computer plugged in is how I’ll use my TVs, way better that way.
A lot of people in here saying to just use it as a dumb TV and get a streaming device. But I bought one of these cheap Vizio TVs a few months ago. It was a 55″ 4K for $128 at Sams. I bought it to set it up in an extra room at my moms. It will not let you do anything until you download the app on your phone, make an account, and log in on the TV. You cant just change it to HDMI 1 and use a Firestick. I set it up with a throw away email, then deleted the app, and took the TV off of the WiFi.
I have a 65″ TCL at my house that I use, and Ive never set anything up on it. I basically use it as a PC monitor in my living room. It will never get a internet connection as long as I own it.
And just like that, I’ll never buy another vizio again.
EDIT: Oof.
I haven’t bought a Vizio tv since I was a broke bitch in 2008 they were shit then and I assume they’re shit now. Fuck Wal-mart, fuck Vizio and fuck this dystopian tech hellscape we’re heading into
That’s what the HDMI port is for. Bypass this bullshit.
This thing most definitely has a mic in it
Can’t even plug in a device without signing in, that’s whack. Glad there are competitors not doing this but it sets a bad precedent for production moving forward.
I finally got starlink at my cabin and thankful that I already have a TV for the media room I’m converting an outbuilding to, but this seems like there’s going to be a time where you’re fucked if you don’t have internet access, even ignoring that selling your data is already fucked
I have no power, cell, water, sewage, mail, or trash services available at this property. If I upgrade in a couple decades is it going to HAVE to be able to sign in?
aaaaaaand nope
I have a pre-Walmart Vizio TV and the damn thing still boots into Vizio sometimes instead of Roku. Not sure how to stop it.
Was thinking about a Vizio for the next TV. No more.
Never buy a Vizio. The software seems to have memory leaks, it slows down and chokes on even basic UI navigation. Absolute trash
My 80 inch tube tv (900 lbs) is still working like a dream!
Side note: always need movers 🤪
Well, that’s another brand on my „Do Not Buy“ list.
Impressive work by Vizio. Usually it takes a Private Equity takeover for me to put a company on that list. They pulled it off with a simple software change.
I’m thiiiiiiiis close to going full 1990-something and going back to DVDs. They’re free at the library.
Don’t buy a bottom of the barrel Walmart TV and don’t worry about it.
Y’all using the „smart features?“ But why?