AccidentalLemmingJul 12, 2023

EU will require removable batteries from 2027

https://lemmy.world/post/1397803

EU will require removable batteries from 2027 - Lemmy.world

It had been in the works for a while, but now it has formally been adopted. From the article: > The regulation provides that by 2027 portable batteries incorporated into appliances should be removable and replaceable by the end-user, leaving sufficient time for operators to adapt the design of their products to this requirement.

Show threadnivenkosJul 12, 2023

The real issue nowadays is the software, although this is still a good step.

But being stuck with no software updates after 2-4 years still renders them unusable (when also locked down).

They should be forced to provide open bootloaders, firmware and kernel drivers once the devices reach end of life. Maybe even include hardware details and schematics, etc. for full repairability.

The efforts of devices like the Framework laptop and Steam Deck should be commonplace. It’s insane we put some corporation’s patents and trade secrets above the environment.

Show threadwhynotzoidberg

While they have other not-friendly practices, Apple does well on the software side. The iPhone 8, going on 6 years old this September, is still running the latest version of iOS.

I’ve been away from Android for a while now. Is it still the case that there is a lot of fragmentation and updates end prematurely? Or is there another OS / software you’re thinking about?

Jul 12, 2023 at 7:39pmWeb
Show threadFidelity9373Jul 12, 2023
Android/Google tried to make this a bit easier through Project Treble, which is like a "core" of android that can be easily updated, then vendors build their modifications on top of it. It's pretty widely adopted now, but that doesn't stop companies from deciding they don't want to support hardware from three years ago even though it is still compatible with the latest Android core.
Show threadvtez44Jul 12, 2023

If you don't buy no-name brand phones, you will get at least one major update. Even chinese brands such as xiaomi will provide updates. You can also install generic LineageOS image if your phone can be unlocked some way, official or not. It works on most devices.

But many smart TVs become useless very quick. When I was using 2015 phone in 2020, TV newer than that already loaded the lightweight Google version for unsupported browsers and vast majority sites/apps became unavailable. It used browser that was already 2 years old when it was released and never released an update to it. But when there was root vulnerability, they released a fix after long time of being basically unsupported.

Show threadMatteJul 12, 2023
oh man, I’d kill to know how to hack my fucking samsung tv. I don’t use it’s useless “business” smart functions, but every time i turn it on it nags me with that terrible menu. and there’s no way to turn it off because they completely fucked it up by pushing ads through that menu.
Show threadAceticonJul 13, 2023

Always buy the “smarts” as a separate device (a media player or smartbox).

Having the product lifecycle and even user requirements of a fast-changing and cheap (and always getting cheaper) element selected on the basis of computing performace and software like the “smart” media player, to those of a much slower changing and vastly more expensive element selected on the basis of size and visual criteria (the actual display) hard-linked isn’t really a wise purchasing decision - it means that in a few years you’re pretty much guaranteed to end up with either a device that can’t support the latest software and hence has sub-standard functionality or paying a “full TV” price because you need to upgrade just that subset of functionality, something which if bought separatelly you could otherwise upgrade for less than 100 bucks.

Show threadN1cknamedJul 12, 2023
Samsung offers 5 years of support nowadays. The other big manufacturers tend to be lacking in this regard however.
Show threadsomeguy3Jul 12, 2023
Iirc Samsung is 5 years security, 4 years os updates. Pixel line is 5 years security, 3 years os.
Show threadඞmirJul 13, 2023
But Samsung releases just before a new Android version comes out, so phones launched in the same year get the same last update
Show threadpeepthatsnotcoolJul 13, 2023
I could apply that argument to Pixels. S23 has been available since February, and the Pixel 8 still hasn’t been released. Right now, both are running Android 13, yet the Samsung is getting an extra OS update
Show threadlemmyvoreJul 12, 2023
Apple is one of the worst offenders. When they sunset a device they force blanket app incompatibility on it, rendering it unusable. It can be a perfectly good device, fully working, but all apps (already installed apps too!) will start suddenly requiring a new iOS version which isn’t available for that device.
Show threadIlikecheeseJul 12, 2023
By “worst offenders” do you mean “industry leading”?
Show threadrambarooJul 13, 2023
Lol only for smartphones, and I don’t think that’s something to be proud of. When it comes to computers, you’ll get 10+ years out of Windows and basically indefinite from any major Linux distro. Pretty damn sad that people have set the bar on the floor for phones
Show threadIlikecheeseJul 13, 2023
Ok chief.
Show threadnothendevJul 13, 2023
The thing with older iPhones, running new iOSes, is that they’re intentionally slowed down (by the software) or as I’d like to call it, underclocked. That also could render them useless, even with new iOS, and even if there were removable batteries.
Show threadjiml78Jul 13, 2023

The intentional slow was directly related to battery life. They got sued over it. But if you put in a new battery, performance returns to previous levels.

Apple even tells you in your battery info settings page whether you are running with “Peak Performance Capability”.