Hardware as a service
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Hardware as a service (HaaS) (not to be confused with Infrastructure as a service (IaaS)), is a subscription model for physical appliances, such as cars. Unlike IaaS, which consists on leasing/renting machines remotely, HaaS is about leasing devices and tools that the customer has physical access to.
Why it is a problem
In recent times, corporations have been abusing this model for extra profit, by charging customers twice:
- The customer pays for the appliance
- The customer must subscribe to unlock "extra" features, gated by digital locks
Examples
- Heated seats being a subscription
- Horsepower being a subcription (see: Tesla, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz)