HP on Thursday launched a subscription service that lets you rent a printer, allocate a certain number of pages to print, and send ink for a monthly fee. HP is framing the service as a way to simplify printing for homes and small businesses, but the deal also comes with oversight and years of work.
Prices start at $6.99 per month for a plan that includes an HP Envy printer (current model is the 6020e) and 20 pages of printing. The most expensive plan includes renting an HP OfficeJet Pro and printing his 700 pages for $35.99 per month.
HP says it will offer its subscribers ink delivery when you're low on ink, as well as 24/7 support via phone or chat (though I doubt how much you'll want to rely on HP's support) but). Support does not include on-site or off-site repairs or parts replacement. The subscription's Terms of Service (TOS), of course, include “any use of non-HP media supplies or other products,” or any damage or failure that may occur if you use the printer beyond what is specified in your plan. are listed as not covered by the service.
HP is watching
HP calls this the All-In Plan. When you subscribe, the technology company fully supports your printing efforts.
One of the most annoying aspects of subscription plans is that they require subscribers to keep their printers connected to the Internet. Some users avoid connecting printers to the Internet because printers are generally the type of devices that function well without web access.
With a web connection, users may also be concerned about security and HP-issued firmware updates that could prevent the printer from working if non-HP inks are used.
However, HP enforces Internet connectivity by stating in the TOS that if the printer is not online, HP may interrupt service and continue to charge you.
HP says it monitors information meaningful to your subscription, such as ink cartridge status and page count, and enforces an always-on connection “to prevent account abuse.” However, HP also remotely monitors the types of documents being printed (such as PDFs and JPEGs), the devices and software used to initiate print jobs, “peripherals,” and other “metrics” that HP deems relevant. To do. You decide to remove the subscription and add it to remote monitoring.
The All-In Plan's privacy policy says HP can “recognize your device,” run targeted ads, and in some cases “combine information about you with information from other companies.” It also states that we may “transfer information about you to advertising partners.” This policy provides that users can opt out of having their personal data shared.
The All-in-Plan TOS states:
2 year commitment
In January, HP CEO Enrique Lores declared that HP's “long-term goal is to make printing subscription-based.” All-In-Plan is HP's latest attempt at this goal, and he hopes people will believe that subscription services simplify things. HP also wants to lock in subscribers for two years by including high cancellation fees.
HP will charge up to $270 + tax for subscriptions that you cancel before the end date (the amount can go as low as $60 depending on the printer you rented and the length of your subscription). After two years, the user cancels the subscription and there is no cancellation fee if he returns the printer and ink he rented within 10 days. With these tactics, HP is creating the same type of subscription dependency that has enriched companies such as phone companies while limiting customer choice.
