Moving from the boring analog world of dumb devices that require a lot of manual input, we have moved into an age of “smart” devices that can do a lot without minimal input (or still require plenty of input, but can do much more on their own once the input has been obtained). Devices can talk to each other, wirelessly transmit data, and connect to a global network of other devices and/or users. Options are limitless and the quality of life these devices provide for us can be amazing. However, the effect doesn’t last forever.
The biggest issue with “smart” technology is the fact that it requires plenty of maintenance. Usually, minimal amounts by the users (you), but this is completely different for the company that develops and maintains the technology.
Updates and improvements are required to consistently aim for solid security since there are so many wrongdoers out there looking to break into the tech. Then there are new technologies (devices, networks, etc) that users would like these devices to be compatible with. Which requires more updates and improvements. It is an endless cycle that can’t go on forever, else these companies would never make a profit.
The solution? An EOL (end of life) date is applied to every smart product. This can be openly shared with the user, kept internal, or happen completely at random (as you have seen many times with various companies like Microsoft, Google, Samsung, and Fox).
[Well, that last one has nothing to do with smart devices. We still just can’t shake off the grudge we have against Fox for canceling Firefly all those years ago.]
While these smart devices deliver much quality to our daily lives, they end up costing us a lot more (financially) in the end and do not last as long due to being designed to fail quickly or due to EOL.
For example, I recently had a conversation with a colleague about stereo receivers (AVRs). I have a fancy Yamaha Avantage receiver (RX-A3010) that has lost features due to “connected” options (ie, Pandora, SiriusXM, etc) updating API or other changes that broke the relationship to the receiver. Yamaha only supported the receiver for so many years before leaving it behind. There hasn’t been a firmware update in a number of years now. No updated firmware to keep up with 3rd-party changes means some of these features no longer connect/work. And the new version of my receiver is around $2,999 (this is an expensive EOL I have to eventually consider). Meanwhile, the stereo he bought 50 years ago still works to this date (some of the electronics/connections need to be cleaned, but it does work).
Another colleague has the RX-A1030 and has experienced the same loss of features for the exact same reason. Why? Because if Yamaha agreed to fix it forever, it would lose money in the end. The company needs to eventually put that focus on new products and innovative ideas.
This is one of the biggest disadvantages of technology and it affects many of the things we surround ourselves with daily. Our smartphones are a great example. A phone used to last many years on the wall. Now, they are portable and compact and need to be replaced in around 5-6 years since the company will only update the OS and provide security patches for so long. Then, it will eventually stop supporting networks. Or, like in Microsoft’s case, randomly give up on the product and stop supporting it at random (or not properly support it from the beginning).
Computers have felt the latest of these hits with Microsoft’s release of Windows 11. In order to keep up with the malware, ransomware, and other technologies and techniques that aim to harm us, Microsoft needed to lock the new Windows 11 OS down using modern hardware. This ruled out the option of updating Windows for so many users who haven’t upgraded their systems in the last few years.
See Also: Alternative options for those who can’t install Windows 11
Samsung has an EOL on all of its products. Some will continue to function past such date and others (like the original SmartThings hubs) will simply cease to function unless you upgrade to the latest edition of the hardware. In the case of SmartThings, this also means having to personally move all of your devices from one hub to another, even if you felt your current hub was working just fine for you.
Mobvoi stopped supporting one of its smartwatches after just a year since it no longer wanted anything to do with the processor it chose for it (the company wanted to focus updates and improvements on just the models that made use of Snapdragon processors in order to decrease development efforts and expense). Instantly ending the life of that model. Meanwhile, someone with a plain $15 analog watch could walk by you that has been using the same watch for 20+ years (simply replacing the battery from time to time).
Smart devices are expensive compared to their analog ancestors and will only last so long before you have to already buy a new one. Some of them are affordable while others are far from it (ie, many of the popular smartphone models out there). So although they bring a lot of function to your daily lives, it does come at a cost. A continuous cost (and sometimes a tremendous cost).
Image Credit: Japan Experterna
