Why is the Oral-B iOS app almost 300 MB? And why is Colgate's app even bigger..?

Re:Why is the Oral-B iOS app almost 300 MB? And why is Colga... by kelnos on Tuesday August 27, 2024 @05:00PM (#41372984)

I can think of a few things at least:

* Collect data on brushing frequency and thoroughness, and sell that data to dental insurance companies. Perhaps not even anonymized, so they can raise your premiums if you don't brush as often or as well as they'd like.

* Nag you to buy brush replacements after a certain amount of time or certain number of uses.

* Use dark patterns to trick you into giving access to other, unrelated data on your phone, and sell this data to third parties.

* Market their other products to you, or even perhaps suggest other things (sold by marketing partners) to buy, like different kinds of toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, etc.

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Re:Why is the Oral-B iOS app almost 300 MB? And why is Colga... by al2o3cr on Tuesday August 27, 2024 @10:54PM (#41375526)

    sell that data to dental insurance companies

I know of at least one startup that tried this the other way - started with a networked toothbrush and created a dental insurer that tracked how much you used it.

They've pivoted away from that to general benefits management (basically every flavor of job-connected insurance that isn't major medical), FWIW...

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Re:Why is the Oral-B iOS app almost 300 MB? And why is Colga... by JasserInicide on Tuesday August 27, 2024 @06:02PM (#41373624)

so they can raise your premiums if you don't brush as often or as well as they'd like.

Shit's already fucking happening with car insurance. Install their app to reduce your premium! It's only a matter of time before it's the other way around.

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Re:Why is the Oral-B iOS app almost 300 MB? And why is Colga... by api on Tuesday August 27, 2024 @05:33PM (#41373328)

That's why most apps exist, which is why I try to install as few apps as possible.

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