@peemee I think the only thing keeping 2G here in the states until at least 2020 is the number of embedded GSM and/or 1xRTT radios. That and I'm pretty sure my Verizon Home Phone is also a 2G device…
// @matigo @hazardwarning
@hazardwarning My son's iPhone 5 performs pretty well even with the latest iOS on it. That said, he really doesn't use it for that much.
// @matigo
@hazardwarning As much as I wish it weren't, planned obsolescence isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Apple does better than most at this, especially when you consider the healthy resale market that exists for 3+ year old iPhones.
// @matigo
@hazardwarning A desktop PC can easily last 10 years. A laptop considerably less but the marginal cost to support laptops is minimal. The infrastructure around a PC changes fairly slowly so you can still use those older PCs even today (trust me, I have a lot of older PCs at home).
Mobile devices do not, by and large, last that long. The most you can get out of a battery is 2 years, if that. The battery isn't easy to replace in some of these devices. The cost to repair these devices (particularly the cheap Android ones) is worth more than simply replacing the device. Even though I still have a Nokia N95 from 2007, the other technology it relies on has progressed so much that I can use it for little more than calls, texts, and taking pictures. Once the local providers switch off 2G, I won't even be able to use it for calls.
In short, I don't think a 10 year lifecycle for mobile devices is practical, at least right now. Things are evolving way too fast for that to make economic sense.
// @matigo
@hazardwarning how long should Apple or any vendor provide security patches for older devices? It's not like it costs Apple zero to do it and it's not like Apple is making any money from you on an older device.
Apple provides OS updates for iOS devices (which includes security fixes) for a far longer time period than the typical Android vendor does.
// @matigo
@matigo I have mixed feelings about that as I like that most posts here are conversations. That said maybe it will lead to more conversations…
// @thrrgilag
Travel systems in 2016 apparently can't deal with hyphens in names. Creates all kinds of issues for me.
Finally upgraded that stubborn Netgear router that wouldn't take a firmware upgrade over the web. Seems to be working much better.