zlacker

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1. behnam+(OP)[view] [source] 2026-02-01 22:09:09
I wonder how AI can disrupt this nasty business by teaching users how they can self-host much of those services and save $$$. Let's face it: for the normies out there, the idea of having "your own iCloud" is still daunting (albeit very much possible).

Can AI level the playing field between users and greedy firms like Apple?

replies(5): >>brianw+D >>latexr+n2 >>doug_d+e3 >>no_wiz+t9 >>jaccol+Uh
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2. brianw+D[view] [source] 2026-02-01 22:14:11
>>behnam+(OP)
Nah. They won’t even know it’s a problem to solve.
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3. latexr+n2[view] [source] 2026-02-01 22:26:28
>>behnam+(OP)
Most users won’t ever use any AI outside of the big players, and those couldn’t give a flying fuck about user empowerment. They’ll just advertise at you and recommend whatever is popular. It’s unrealistic to believe AI will bring any kind of democratisation or software service independence to regular users.
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4. doug_d+e3[view] [source] 2026-02-01 22:32:23
>>behnam+(OP)
Most people don't have the time to "self host". I could easily self host, but I don't because it's not worth my time.
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5. no_wiz+t9[view] [source] 2026-02-01 23:26:16
>>behnam+(OP)
The bigger problem is the experience. There are some integrations you simply can't do that Apple and Google, as their respective owners of the platforms, can. Full device backups for instance.
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6. jaccol+Uh[view] [source] 2026-02-02 00:39:16
>>behnam+(OP)
What $$$?! The top tier of apple one is £36.95pm. If I spend 15 mins of time every month extra self hosting then it’s immediately not worth it. (Not to mention self hosting won’t be free).

Also, for that price I get: 2TB cloud storage,Apple TV,Apple Music,news,workouts,arcade most of which cannot be self hosted.

Economies of scale are real, it’s possible Apple makes a ton of money and the user is getting a good deal!

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