In the old days, the discontinuation of a battery size might have made a camera unusable.
Today, its usually down to software of some sort.
Often, we dont notice.
Philip Laurell / Getty Images
Weve already convinced ourselves to move onto the newer, “better” model.
But this gadget rot is a serious problem that renders perfectly good devices useless.
“E-waste is a serious environmental concern,” digital consultant and gadget fanJulian Goldietold Lifewire via email.
Wikipedia
Back in 2007, Wi-Fi wasnt nearly so ubiquitous, so Whispernet was not only convenient, but necessary.
In December, these old Wi-Fi-free Kindles will lose their Whispernet connections and never connect to the internet again.
Newer devices, 3G + Wi-Fi, will have their cellular connections cut.
Users will only be able to add new books via USB.
Wikipedia
In itself, this seems like no big deal.
The simplest is when, say, an older iPad no longer runs the latest iPadOS.
Another, far worse, example is DRM, or digital rights management, aka copy-protection tech.
The problem is that this DRM requires a third-party server to authenticate your purchases.
In 2008, Microsoftswitched off the DRM servers for MSN Music.
You could keep playing purchased songs on already-authorized computers, but that was it.
Then, in 2019, it didthe same for its ebook DRM server.
But this forced obsolescence still exists as a nagging reality.
E-waste is a serious environmental concern.
TVs could last for decades.
And thats not just because “things were better-made in the old days.”
Sustainability
We have arrived at a disposable culture.
This is often blamed on us as individuals.
We are shallow consumers who only care about the latest thing.
But really, we have no choice.
How can one shop to avoid gadget rot?
Is there any way to slow down the pace of new products?
How could that even happen?
Laws will never slow the constant updates, and most people dont care enough.
But it’s possible for you to follow the hipsters and go retro.
Paper books and record players are still thriving, so it’s possible for you to start there.
