I just don't get it with these proprietary cloud connected devices. Do people just not realize that keeping server infrastructure running for free after a product is sold is not in a company's best profit-seeking interests (maybe they don't even think about how things on the Internet actually work, I dunno)? I thought of this almost fifteen years ago when I started seeing smart thermostats. There should always be an option to go local, even if it requires the consumer to acquire a skillset in IT. Maybe we can start working things like that into right to repair legislation if it isn't already.
this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2024
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I once had a tech support ticket for a computer not turning on. When I checked it out, they had connected a power bar to itself. This 40yr old man genuinely didn't understand why that wouldn't work.
Did they grow up in an Amish house? How is that possible
Most people don't think about how things work. I'd guess that most customers thought all the smart features were internal and the Internet connection was just an arbitrary requirement
Exactly. Another example of people who are on forums like this are worlds apart from people who know quite literally less than nothing about computers.
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Is there missing punctuation in that headline or am I an idiot?
No, there is no punctuation missing, the headline writing style is just hurting comprehensibility. I'll expand it a bit.
"A startup, which is set to brick an $800 kids' robot, is trying to open-source it first"
Cheers, I can read and comprehend the original headline now. I'm Australian so English isn't my first language, at least that's my excuse.
Here you go then
"Oi, this startup’s about to turn an $800 kids’ robot into a bloody paperweight, but they’re havin’ a crack at open-sourcing it before it carks it."
I was able to read that with the accent. Goodonya
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This should be a standard requirement for abandoning an internet reliant product (with all IP and internal documentation released and becoming public domain in the event of a bankruptcy, and keys handled by some consumer protection agency capable of facilitating community projects working to unlock them for owners).
But questionable value of the product aside, the fact that they're making the effort to not be assholes and try to do what it takes to give their costumers' products the life they can is better than most, so they deserve credit for that.
But that's communism!!1!1!!
Electronic products and software should get a "at least supported until" label on the packaging and legally obligated to keep the servers running until that time.
The company behind this robot is going bankrupt, which is why support ends and they stop working. This law would do nothing in this case because the company seizes to exist.
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Only if there's an absolute bare minimum they're allowed to choose of 5-10 years after the last device/software is sold.
And even then, I still think they should be required to unlock devices (and software DRM bullshit/APIs to re-implement server components) to allow people who want to maintain them themselves.
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Using some creepy robot with a proprietary algorithm to provide "emotional support" to children sounds like a good thing to go out of business.
IIRC they were designed for kids with autism.
One would expect kids with autism to be more picky about their emotional support, not less
I'm sure it worked for some and not for others.
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So these robots will be autobots?
