~ Jon James
While some people will line up and camp out in order to get the very latest tech, like the iPhone, many more of us want to hold on to the older tech as long as we can. That’s practical and frugal.
The unfortunate reality is, many of today’s devices are considered disposable. If it gets outdated or breaks, the only thing you can do is replace it. There’s no way to update it and its very difficult, if not impossible, to fix. That’s by design.
In many cases, devices that aren’t user serviceable can be fixed or upgraded by places like Techy in Waterville. Others have to be replaced or sent to the manufacturer which can cost as much as a new device
Still others become obsolete because they’ll no longer take operating system updates, like going from Windows 10 to 11. It can be frustrating and costly. It seems like every other day, Windows or your phone needs (forces) and update and, eventually, it just won’t take them anymore.
I remember when batteries used to get weak in my cell phone, I could just pop the cover off and replace them. Now you can’t even access it on your own without special tools.
Mainers are pushing for a broader right-to-repair law that would make it easier and cheaper to fix electronics instead of replacing them.
Supporters gathered outside the State Capitol Thursday for a mock memorial for obsolete technology, criticizing manufacturers for making repairs difficult by restricting parts, tools and software.
State Sen. Mike Tipping said the issue could save families money, noting that replacing a cellphone every six years instead of every three can make a significant difference.
Advocates also point to the environmental impact. Maine residents generate an estimated 34,000 tons of electronic waste each year, much of which ends up in landfills because electronics can be difficult to recycle.
Maine already has a right-to-repair law covering vehicles, but a broader bill for electronic devices fell just two votes short in the Senate this spring. Supporters say they expect to try again.
“You buy something, you should get as much use as you want out of it,” said Nathan Proctor of the Right to Repair National Campaign.
[source]
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