If you never connect it to the internet, what's the big deal? Just tell it to use HDMI 1 or whatever, and you shouldn't need to bother with the garbage that comes pre-installed.
Many modern televisions will stop working altogether of they go too long without phoning home. Some newer models won't allow you to use them without first connecting.
Likely advances in the future will be utilizing Ethernet over HDMI from newer connected devices, and perhaps building some sort of 3G or LTE or 5G antenna into the thing if the pricing and ad profitability works out. A more likely route is making agreements with ISPs to get access to their mandatory built-in modem wifi access points, which cannot be turned off by end users in some areas; that's a large logistical problem so we won't see things had that way for a little while.
It’ll still void the warranty, but a drill press, the right place, the right bit and depth should do the job in seconds, no?
Could make it a service of taking smart TVs and dumbing them for $50-$100.
I'd pay for the service, for sure.
If the TV fails to boot with the wireless module removed, perhaps cutting an antenna trace might be sufficient.
Which? So we can avoid. I don’t buy TVs often; the 2019 LG OLED I have required me to set up WiFi. Which of course I didn’t do, but it wasn’t forced.
> Many modern televisions will stop working altogether of they go too long without phoning home.
Same question as above. Would be good to get a list going. Maybe a shared doc of TVs to avoid.
If they want to force you to connect it, they will find a way.