Earlier quoted context omitted.
I really hope it does
Why?
So I can import a European-standard phone from China that allows me to self-repair.
Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
191–200 of 269 posts
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#192Earlier quoted context omitted.
Are you sure? I mean, European directives are not always implemented perfectly, but all countries do try to. It may be that your country is doing something, it's just not noticeable, yet. This is long term stuff, results are only apparent years or decades after the laws come into effect.
I live in my country and I know some things about it. Germany allows people to sell old cars in Eastern Europe. My country will take those cars without any limits. This is the Europe that I'm living in. Crossing the street in the morning is an exercise of how long can you hold your breath.
Yeah they need to have stricter emissions tests. To be fair, I've seen plenty of surprisingly old cars in the UK, which literally billowed smoke and were visibly rusted... So it's not only Eastern Europe with these problems.
Personally I prefer used imported cars, as well haha. It's just, if it passes technical inspection and emission tests, why not? An 8 year old VW or Toyota with all the options that's been well kept for 7000 Euros seems better to me than a 16,000 Euro new base model.
For getting around a city, public transport is good enough, though.
Another problem is just the number of cars - many cities have more cars than they can handle. Hopefully more cities will ban diesel cars or all cars in some parts...
Things are changing, slowly.
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#193Earlier quoted context omitted.
My country also buys used cars off Germany, because people here kind of can't afford brand new ones.
Same thing in Finland. There are new cars here and there but if you take a stroll around a dealership's lot, there are lots of cars shipped from Germany that have been used for a few years. I think the average age of a registered vehicle here is around 10 years; it's not uncommon at all to see >20yo cars in local traffic and parking lots.
Really depends on their condition when purchased, but 15+ year old cars is pushing it. Not worth buying imo, but I guess as long as they're allowed people will buy them. I think the taxes are higher on really old cars?
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#194When you buy a physical object, such as a home, a car, a shirt, or a smartphone, shouldn't you be be able to repair it, modify it however you want, use it for different purposes, loan it to friends, sell it to others, and so on -- you know, all the rights and benefits associated with the concept of private ownership ? And when you buy a software object, shouldn't you have the same rights and benefits?
The more impactful and subtle part of this discussion includes what constraints, rights and responsibilities does this place on manufacture?
If we decide you have an inalienable right to repair the phone I made for you, does that mean I have to facilitate it? Does it mean I can't put technical barriers in place to make it harder for you? Do I have to offer you any sort of support & warrantee if you have modified it?
Can I refuse to offer you a sale on the object, and just offer a lease? Etc. etc.
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#195I bought a few dumbphones from Amazon because I am scared that smartphones will be so pervasive and that dumbphones will be slowly phased out and you will be unable to buy them anymore. Smartphones are difficult to repair because the circuitry is hermetically sealed and you need specialist tools to open them up and tinker. Dumbphones, not so much. The parts are accessible and can be swapped out with working parts eas…
Do you mean "feature phones" or landlines?
I haven't heard 'feature phones' since I used to read consumer electronics news sites (like Engadget, then This is my Next/The Verge) years ago.
I don't think anyone else uses the term; to the layman, they're 'dumb phones', to contrast with 'smart' (although increasinly 'smart phones' are just 'phones').
Or since those are American sites, perhaps it's actually a variation of regional colloquialisms.
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#196Earlier quoted context omitted.
> shouldn't you be be able to repair it, modify it however you want, use it for different purposes, loan it to friends, sell it to others, and so on all of these are completely different actions, have different standing in front of the law, have different repercussions etc etc the way i see these kinds of initiatives: i think they're healthy, i think we need them, but i also notice how they're from a bygone era where…
> notice how they're from a bygone era where cars where fixed in the driveway. that age has passed Do you feel that age has passed because manufacturers now block people having the info needed for repair, or are you meaning the complexity of cars has increased?
Honestly, probably a bit of both.
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#197I think the world wants 'right to repair', not just Europe.
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#198The success of the whole story is going to depend on whether they will be able to push it on everyone else. Otherwise we're going to have normal phones for everyone except EU, and bulky, outdated, but repairable "europhones" in Europe. Probably good for local producers though.
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#199When you buy a physical object, such as a home, a car, a shirt, or a smartphone, shouldn't you be be able to repair it, modify it however you want, use it for different purposes, loan it to friends, sell it to others, and so on -- you know, all the rights and benefits associated with the concept of private ownership ? And when you buy a software object, shouldn't you have the same rights and benefits?
I think if this law is passed, companies will start subscription service where you'll be renting phones instead of owning then. Then onus and exclusive right for repair/replacement will stay with the smartphone company.
I am not sure we will return quite to that model. For a trip down memory lane: The US specifically had an FCC decision (Carterphone - 1978) designed to to remove the leverage that landline providers had over the market with regards to forcing customers to rent or buy a phone from only them.
Reference article:
https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/16/business/new-era-for-the-...
Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets
#200Earlier quoted context omitted.
> qualified and licensed people in repair shops In the US, anyone can repair a vehicle and not void the warranty. No license needed.
Same in Europe and still completely besides the point. Also, this argument keeps ignoring that the ominous "anybody" is required to have access to a repair shop, tools, and the skills required. Once you take into account all these factors it quickly becomes apparent that not "anybody" will repair cars, appliances, and electronics by themselves; regardless of legislation. The people who do care (farmers in the US, ele…
Anybody may repair cars but not everybody can repair cars.