Planned obsolescence: How your gadgets are built to break

Throughout history have sold products with built-in obsolescence, or introduced new formats forcing consumers to rebut accessories and even music, films and TV shows.

Recent examples include the evolution of music, from records to tapes, CDs and downloads, each format requiring users to buy the music they already own again with the promise of better quality.

have also seen huge changes, from VHS to laserdisc to DVD, Blu Ray and, finally, downloads.

Many gadget makers sell electronics with batteries that cannot easily be replaced forcing users to either upgrade or pay for expensive repairs photo

Many sell electronics with that cannot easily be replaced, forcing users to either upgrade or pay for expensive repairs

Many gadget makers, including Apple, also sell electronics with batteries that cannot easily be replaced, forcing users to either upgrade or pay for expensive repairs.

Apple and others have also often changed the design of power supplies and other accessories with each new model, forcing consumers to buy new versions.

TV makers also warn that even the latest TVs have a limited lifespan, with on average around 100,000 hours of use before they must be replaced.

However, manufacturers hope that consumers will upgrade to the far before this happens.

 

Tokyo court has ruled that Samsung Electronics did not infringe on patents held by AppleSamsung did not infringe on patents held by Apple, Tokyo court rules Apple was accused yesterday of ripping off consumers as it emerged the next version of the iPhone could render all current accessories obsoleteApple accused of making all iPhone accessories obsolete by changing design of its future device Samsung Electronics has overtaken Nokia to become the world's largest maker of mobile phonesSamsung overtakes Nokia to become the world’s largest mobile phones’ maker SF movies gadgets could soon become reality Google has announced that it does not want the ruling in the Apple-Samsung patent lawsuit to "limit" consumers' access to Android devicesGoogle reacts to Apple patent win Apple has been ordered to pay damages to rival Samsung Electronics by a court in the NetherlandsApple ordered to pay damages to Samsung Electronics by a court in the Netherlands From London to New York and to Sydney, fans have camped outside Apple stores as the iPhone 5 went on sale around the worldiPhone 5 goes on sale around the world iPad3 will reportedly look similar to iPad, but with a higher-res screen, faster processor and Siri voice controliPad3 to be launched on March 7 in San Francisco
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Posted by on Jun 22 2012. Filed under How To..., Science & Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.

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