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Depending on how this is handled it could backfire and we end up with more pollution as people discard used parts. For some items, like adding easily swap of ba
by Shivetya 7y ago
Depending on how this is handled it could backfire and we end up with more pollution as people discard used parts. For some items, like adding easily swap of batteries may open the devices to easier contamination. However if right to repair is contained to authorized repair centers; which is currently how warranties are preserved in many countries; then it might still pass provided someone with the right tools can do it safely.
As for the software side this may be a tough one as many times a change in chipset can make features available in newer models that are not in older models and the real question is, how far back must they provided like software upgrades that new models have? iOS goes back quite a ways, is that not enough now? That my prior iMac no longer had support from Nvidia (2013 model) is whose fault? Apple's or Nvidias?
What people need to understand is that replacement parts may involve complete assemblies because there is no feasible means to replace some of the pieces in common tablets and phones. So take a dryer, you might need to replace an entire motor but depending on how the regulation is written that may not be sufficient.
tl;dr it all sounds well and good until those who have no understanding of repair start writing regulations that could lead to less reliable items, more electronics and batteries in the trash, and even most costly items.
- ClumsyPilot 7y agoThere is a world of difference between technical obstacles and deliberate ones. Apple structures their contracts so that the manufacturer is not allowed to sell components to any third parties, making repair impossible. You could be forced to throw out a five grand laptop because you are not allowed to buy a $5 chip, that can be easily replaced. Watch this testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLIW7mQ8CI4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLIW7mQ8CI4
- jaybeeayyy 7y agoI was looking for a video of mah bout Louis! He's so informative and I love watching his streams...I had no idea what right to repair was until I saw him talk about it. It's insane how much power we let companies like apple have over products we purchase from them.
- Silhouette 7y agoThere are several arguments in that comment that are fair and reasonable, sometimes. However, they tend to be the exception rather than the rule. We should not allow owner-hostile vendors to hide behind them as excuses for measures like lock-in mechanisms and planned obsolescence that are not necessary. If an item really does have the potential to become harmful in some way if it is not properly used and maintained, the burden should be on the vendor and/or manufacturer to demonstrate that in order to justify any restrictions on its use or maintenance. Such demonstrations and restrictions should be subject to regulatory oversight by consumer protection agencies or similar bodies. If they are found to be unjustified by a competent authority then the burden should be on the vendor and/or manufacturer to either make things right or compensate those who bought the product (including reasonable consequential losses, not just the purchase price).
- hermitdev 7y agoOf course, one needs to responsibly dispose of discard components. Electrical recycling is a far different story than plastic recycling. A lot of electronics have rare/expensive components that are worth recovering like gold and rare earth's.