Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

nytimes.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

211–220 of 269 posts

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#211

Post by yakovdk »

AnthonyMouse wrote: post #188
diablo1 wrote: post #109

I 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…

Might be better off to buy phones specifically designed for that, e.g. PinePhone or Librem 5.

Thanks for posting this -- I hadn't heard of the Librem 5, and it's fascinating.

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#212

Post by harrier »

OJFord wrote: post #195
nix0n wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Feature phones have capabilities beyond just making calls/sms but less capabilities than smart phones.

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#213

Post by boudin »

AnthonyMouse wrote: post #188
diablo1 wrote: post #109

I 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…

Might be better off to buy phones specifically designed for that, e.g. PinePhone or Librem 5.

The Fairphone is also quite good for that

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#214

Post by kevin2r »

kabdib wrote: post #205

I'd like to have standard rechargeable batteries in products. Not necessarily "hot" swappable (though that would be nice for devices like cellphones). But at least available in standard forms, and replaceable by someone with a screwdriver in a few minutes. I'm sick of "renting" batteries that are permanently installed in devices that would otherwise work for tens of years, but their batteries wear out after only a fe…

Even with Apple earbuds battery could be easily replaceable if the cylindrical part of the piece was screw-able to the top. Just like a flashlight.

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#215

Post by Jagat »

diablo1 wrote: post #109

I 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…

There's a market for that geared towards senior citizens (they show up in daytime tv ads).

They'll exist as long as there's a market for it.

That said, the definition of 'dumb' phone is going to vary, and senior citizens in 30 years will be seeking what looks like today's iPhone, or an android phone. Maybe.

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#216

Post by birdyrooster »

Jagat wrote: post #215
diablo1 wrote: post #109

I 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…

There's a market for that geared towards senior citizens (they show up in daytime tv ads). They'll exist as long as there's a market for it. That said, the definition of 'dumb' phone is going to vary, and senior citizens in 30 years will be seeking what looks like today's iPhone, or an android phone. Maybe.

I bet we move to a different medium that is easier on seniors bodies. Many seniors complain they can’t see the screen and their dexterity isn’t good enough to use smart phones easily. Judging based on my anecdotal experience with the elderly and those needing accommodations speech to text, text to speech, accessibility features and airplay are commonly used and I think this trend will continue.

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#217

Post by hutzlibu »

bluGill wrote: post #137
simion314 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most cars are repairable, there is an industry of alternative parts, you go to a mechanic, he plugs the laptop with the software , find the problem, then you chose from a website with parts the one you want , you have different alternatives. Also you can visit places with scraped cars and you can find parts there for cheap. There is no DRM at the moment to stop you reusing a door from a different car or a door made b…

On a car most electronics are locked to the one VIN and it is difficult or impossible to change the part to a new VIN latter. This is done to ensure that "strippers" will not steal a car for the parts since the most valuable parts can't be sold.

And it has the nice sideeffect, the the owner company controlls, what you can do with your car/where you buy your parts from.

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#218

Post by fragmede »

kabdib wrote: post #205

I'd like to have standard rechargeable batteries in products. Not necessarily "hot" swappable (though that would be nice for devices like cellphones). But at least available in standard forms, and replaceable by someone with a screwdriver in a few minutes. I'm sick of "renting" batteries that are permanently installed in devices that would otherwise work for tens of years, but their batteries wear out after only a fe…

How much are you willing to pay for such batteries? For larger electronics that take double A batteries, this exists, but at a premium! These things are lithium-whatever and USB rechargable, but at $5 per, easy to dismiss. While dismissing them, consider where the "those don't count" retort is coming from. It's fair to point out that electronics have gotten small enough to the point that they don't fit AA batteries any more, but these batteries haven't taken over in situations where they are available, so even if they came in AAAA (quadruple-A size - like what's inside of a 9-volt) size that were usable in smaller electronics, I doubt the market would decide they are better.

Worse is better, and in this case, the iPhone, and everyone copying its permanently installed battery, is worse.

https://amazon.com/AA-Batteries-Rechargeable-ECO-Friendly-Re...?

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#219

Post by droithomme »

kabdib wrote: post #205

I'd like to have standard rechargeable batteries in products. Not necessarily "hot" swappable (though that would be nice for devices like cellphones). But at least available in standard forms, and replaceable by someone with a screwdriver in a few minutes. I'm sick of "renting" batteries that are permanently installed in devices that would otherwise work for tens of years, but their batteries wear out after only a fe…

Most rechargeables seem to have standard cells, but they are welded together in a weird proprietary package. Technically though they have standard rechargeables.

Another issue is I don't want batteries in my keyboard, mouse, or electric razor. All these things I use next to another thing with a power source. It's pointless to have them be rechargeable. Yet it's becoming harder and harder to find keyboards, mice, and razors that are wired. Cordless mice in particular are a blight on society because the extra weight of the batteries aggravates carpal-tunnel and is a health hazard.

Re: Europe Wants a ‘Right to Repair’ Smartphones and Gadgets

#220

Post by droithomme »

kabdib wrote: post #205

I'd like to have standard rechargeable batteries in products. Not necessarily "hot" swappable (though that would be nice for devices like cellphones). But at least available in standard forms, and replaceable by someone with a screwdriver in a few minutes. I'm sick of "renting" batteries that are permanently installed in devices that would otherwise work for tens of years, but their batteries wear out after only a fe…

> I'm sick of "renting" batteries that are permanently installed in devices that would otherwise work for tens of years, but their batteries wear out after only a few years.

Also alarming is all the Apple crap where the hard drive, that lasts at most 2 years, is impossible to replace without great risk to the device, special replacement gaskets, etc, and when you do it turns out the original had a proprietary temperature sensor that means your replacement dies in 6 months.

RAM welded to the motherboard on general purpose computers is another design horror that harms the environment and should be banned. All RAM should be upgradable on devices that cost more than $1000.

Also the era of cell phones without SD slots must end.

Post reply on HN