Monster of 2025: Endless Subscriptions

4 months ago

Mother Jones staff compiles a subjective list of heroes and monsters from the past year.
The Hatch Restore alarm clock costs $169 plus a $4.99 monthly subscription for full features.
Subscription models are increasingly common, locking consumers into ongoing payments for products they already own.
Examples include printers, wearable devices, and car features requiring subscriptions.
HP's Instant Ink program charges $7.99/month, but cancelling it disables remaining ink cartridges.
Car manufacturers like GM and Toyota are adding subscription fees for previously free features.
The global subscription market is expected to triple by 2033, reaching $492 billion.
Some companies, like BMW, faced backlash for subscription-based features like heated seats.
There's even a subscription service to help manage and cancel other subscriptions.

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