Planned obsolescence: Difference between revisions
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The phrase "planned obsolescence" was coined in 1932 by Bernard London, who proposed mandatory product expiration to stimulate Depression-era economies. Brooks Stevens later popularized it in the 1950s, defining it as instilling a desire for newer products "sooner than necessary". | The phrase "planned obsolescence" was coined in 1932 by Bernard London, who proposed mandatory product expiration to stimulate Depression-era economies. Brooks Stevens later popularized it in the 1950s, defining it as instilling a desire for newer products "sooner than necessary". | ||
Vance Packard’s 1960, The Waste Makers, critiqued corporations for manipulating desires through style changes and a perception of being out of date. Modern fast fashion and tech industries continue this trend, fostering "throwaway" cultures. | |||
<u>Types of Planned Obsolescence:</u> | <u>Types of Planned Obsolescence:</u> | ||
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* Legal Obsolescence: Regulatory bans. | * Legal Obsolescence: Regulatory bans. | ||
Modern devices are often sealed with adhesives, welded components, or proprietary screws, making disassembly difficult or destructive. Smartphones exemplify systemic and contrived obsolescence, glued in batteries and soldered components needing specialized tools in some cases and software updates that render the device useless<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cordella1, Alfieri2, Clemm3, Berwald4 |first=Mauro1, Felice2 , Christian3, Anton4 |date=2020-12-01 |title=Durability of smartphones: A technical analysis of reliability and repairability aspects |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871336/}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Smartphone Repairability Scores |url=https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/smartphone-repairability-scores}}</ref> These design practices force consumers to rely on manufacturer-authorized repairs or buy replacements, aligning with planned obsolescence strategies | Modern devices are often sealed with adhesives, welded components, or proprietary screws, making disassembly difficult or destructive. Smartphones exemplify systemic and contrived obsolescence, glued in batteries and soldered components needing specialized tools in some cases and software updates that render the device useless<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cordella1, Alfieri2, Clemm3, Berwald4 |first=Mauro1, Felice2 , Christian3, Anton4 |date=2020-12-01 |title=Durability of smartphones: A technical analysis of reliability and repairability aspects |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7871336/}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Smartphone Repairability Scores |url=https://www.ifixit.com/repairability/smartphone-repairability-scores |website=iFixit}}</ref> These design practices force consumers to rely on manufacturer-authorized repairs or buy replacements, aligning with planned obsolescence strategies | ||
A foundational 1984 Stanford study theorized that monopolists intentionally reduce product durability to maximize profits by forcing repeat purchases. Oligopolists may collude to shorten product lifespans, though outcomes depend on market dynamics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bulow |first=Jeremy |date=1984 |title=An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/economic-theory-planned-obsolescence |journal=Stanford Graduate School of Business}}</ref> | A foundational 1984 Stanford study theorized that monopolists intentionally reduce product durability to maximize profits by forcing repeat purchases. Oligopolists may collude to shorten product lifespans, though outcomes depend on market dynamics.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bulow |first=Jeremy |date=1984 |title=An Economic Theory of Planned Obsolescence |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/economic-theory-planned-obsolescence |journal=Stanford Graduate School of Business}}</ref> | ||
== Examples of Planned Obsolescence == | |||
=== Software updates: === | |||
* Apple’s "Batterygate": Apple admitted to slowing down older iPhones via iOS updates to compensate for aging batteries, pushing users to upgrade.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Apple confirms iPhones with older batteries will take hits in performance / It makes sense, but the company could have been a bit more transparent |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/20/16800058/apple-iphone-slow-fix-battery-life-capacity |work=The Verge}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> | |||
* Microsoft Windows 7 EOL (End of Life): Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in 2020, forcing upgrades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What does it mean if Windows isn't supported? |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-7-support-ended-on-january-14-2020-b75d4580-2cc7-895a-2c9c-1466d9a53962}}</ref> | |||
* Samsung Smart TV "Slowdowns": Older TVs received updates that degraded performance.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Samsung TV Update Bugs |url=https://www.wired.com/story/samsung-tv-update-bugs/ |work=Wired}}</ref> | |||
* Fitbit’s Planned Software Expiration: Older devices lose app compatibility after updates.<ref>{{Cite news |title=FitBit Legacy Device Support Ends |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fitbit-legacy-device-support-ends/ |work=CNET}}</ref> | |||
* Sonos Speaker "Recycle Mode": Software updates brick older devices during setup.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sonos explains why it bricks old devices with ‘Recycle Mode’ |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/30/21042871/sonos-recycle-mode-trade-up-program-controversy |work=The Verge}}</ref> | |||
=== Hardware limitations: === | |||
. | * Tesla Battery Degradation: Older Tesla models experience rapid battery capacity loss, requiring costly replacements.<ref>{{Cite web |title=High-energy long-cycling all-solid-state lithium metal batteries enabled by silver–carbon composite anodes |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-020-0575-z |website=Nature Energy}}</ref> | ||
* GE Microwaves with Sealed Electronics: Circuit boards prone to failure but inaccessible for repair.<ref>{{Cite news |title=GE Appliances Repair Monopoly |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/ge-appliances-repair-monopoly |work=ProPublica}}</ref> | |||
* HP printers reject third-party ink cartridges via firmware updates.<ref>{{Cite news |title=HP sued (again) for blocking third-party ink from printers, accused of monopoly |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/hp-sued-again-for-blocking-third-party-ink-from-printers-accused-of-monopoly/ |work=Ars Technica}}</ref> | |||
=Famous Planned Obsolescence Cases= | =Famous Planned Obsolescence Cases= | ||
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|Apple | |Apple | ||
|iPhones | |iPhones | ||
|Apple admitted it had released software updates that could slow down older iPhone models when their batteries degraded. This was allegedly done to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries. This resulted in 3 settlements totaling over USD $600M<ref>https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/science/4153770-apple-to-start-paying-out-claims-in-500m-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-reports/</ref> | |Apple admitted it had released software updates that could slow down older iPhone models when their batteries degraded. This was allegedly done to prevent unexpected shutdowns caused by aging batteries. This resulted in 3 settlements totaling over USD $600M<ref name=":0">https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/science/4153770-apple-to-start-paying-out-claims-in-500m-iphone-slowdown-lawsuit-reports/</ref> | ||
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|2018 | |2018 | ||