Which are some of the companies that believe in Planned Obsolescence

Planned obsolescence is a controversial practice in the technology industry, where manufacturers intentionally design products to become outdated or non-functional within a certain period. While the concept has been around for decades, it has gained significant attention in recent years, especially as consumers grow more aware of the environmental and economic implications. Notable brands like Sony, Samsung, and Apple have been accused of engaging in this practice, particularly in the smartphone sector. This article explores the implications and potential solutions to this growing concern.

Case Studies: Sony, Samsung, and Nokia

This section delves into the experiences of three prominent brands: Sony, Samsung, and Nokia, highlighting instances of product malfunctions and company practices that indicate planned obsolescence.

Sony

Back in 2011, I experienced a significant update issue with my Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. After receiving the 2nd Gingerbread update, my phone faced substantial battery drain issues, which were frustrating to deal with. Further updates, like Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, only made matters worse. Through the Flash Tool, I managed to revert to an earlier firmware version and restored a more stable performance.

Lesson learned: Only the original firmware that came with the device is optimized for its hardware, leading to a smoother user experience.

Samsung

In 2013, I purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note 3, primarily for its 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal memory. However, a major setback was the inability to store items on an SD card by default in Jelly Bean 4.3. The update from KitKat to Lollipop brought some improvements, but the lifespan of the device's battery significantly decreased, with a standard 6-8 hours of screen-on time dropping to just 2.5-3.5 hours.

Insight: Battery technology improvements have not been sufficient to counteract the rapid obsolescence of newer devices.

Nokia

Nokia’s 808 Pureview, released in 2012, was a marvel of photography and music. The phone came with an impressive 41 MP camera, among other features, and a complimentary one-year access to a music service. However, updates like Nokia Belle FP2 often introduced bugs and restrictions, such as halting access to the Nokia Music store. This exemplified the potential for manufacturers to sabotage existing products.

Conclusion: Planned software updates can be used to limit the functionality of devices, leading to unnecessary replacements.

Understanding Planned Obsolescence

Planned obsolescence can affect various aspects of a product, from its hardware to its software. Battery life, display quality, and the availability of updates are key areas that can be manipulated to encourage consumers to replace their devices sooner than necessary. Advances in technology have significantly reduced the lifespan of batteries, while improvements in hardware and software have not kept pace with this decline.

The Business Case for Planned Obsolescence

Companies often engage in planned obsolescence to maintain high profitability and steady cash flow. For instance, by ensuring that devices become outdated within a short timeframe, they can encourage customers to upgrade to the latest models, thereby keeping product lines vibrant and driving sales.

Environmental and Ethical Considerations

The practice of planned obsolescence raises significant environmental and ethical concerns. Electronic waste is a growing problem, with millions of tons of discarded devices ending up in landfills or being mishandled in developing countries. Moreover, frequent updates and withdrawals can lead to user frustration and economic strain for consumers.

Responsible Practices and Consumer Advocacy

To address these issues, consumers can take several steps:

Support companies that prioritize long-lasting products. Advocate for regulatory changes that limit excessive planned obsolescence. Freeze hotlines or community forums to share information about buggy updates.

Legislation and industry standards could play a crucial role in promoting more sustainable and ethical business practices.

Conclusion

Planned obsolescence remains a contentious issue in the technology sector, impacting both consumers and the environment. By understanding the motivations behind such practices and taking proactive steps to mitigate their effects, we can move towards a more responsible and sustainable technology industry.