Smart Devices Exploit Consumers

The one thing consumers do not consider when purchasing “smart” electronics is the short lifespan and frequent need to replace them. This can be an unexpected cost for some items that they are already paying more to have these “smart” features. TVs are a good example of this.

A cathode ray (tube) TV could easily last 20 years. An early promise of LCD was that the screen could last longer than a tube TV. However, the average LCD TV lifespan is about 8 years. That is nowhere close to 20 years.

Some consider most LCD TVs as disposable due to the low cost but that is no excuse for such a short lifespan. Why add more polluting electronics to landfills than we have to?

Paying more for an LCD TV does not increase the life of the TV either. There’s no correlation between price and longevity.

Even if the LCD electronics survive 5 years, it will be unlikely that the hardware’s operating system will be supported and updated. This could leave the system vulnerable to hackers and without new or updated applications. This is not the same thing as a computer because consumers are responsible for the software and buy hardware compatible software to go on the computer. Essentially, the manufacturer abandons the TV leaving the consumer to replace an operating TV and throw it away.

Is this fair to consumers? Do consumers know that, due to software, they will need to replace their TV? How vulnerable will these TVs be when the software no longer receives security updates? Did the manufacturer ever disclose this to consumers?

Consider the increasing number of “smart” devices replacing legacy devices. What protections do consumer have that the software will be supported for the hardware lifespan? What incentive does the manufacturer have to ensure software does not become obsolete before the hardware?

Manufacturers should set and communicate all factors impacting the lifecycle of “smart” electronic to consumers. Perhaps they need to separate the “smart” software from the hardware and allow consumers the option to maintain the software.

Consumers are at the mercy of manufacturers without any recourse and these companies are taking full advantage of it. Consumers need to outsmart these companies and demand better products.