"Since Right to Repair can pass here, expect it to be on its way to a backyard near you," says iFixit CEO.

California, the biggest state in the US when it comes to both population and the sheer volume of tech companies squeezed into its borders, has just passed the country’s most extreme right to repair bill in the US (via Ars Technica). It’s the third state to pass such a bill, but goes further than either Minnesota or New York in that it forces companies to support their products for longer. But while it will cover gaming PCs and laptops, games console manufacturers get a free pass.

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There are exceptions, however, and it seems like games consoles are somehow exempt from this right to repair requirement. Guess someone’s been lobbying against the inclusion of consoles, eh? The bill itself talks specifically about an “electronic or appliance product” or just a “product”, but stipulates that doesn’t include a video game console.

“‘Video game console’ means a computing device, including its components and peripherals, that is primarily used by consumers for playing video games, such as a console machine, a handheld console device, or another device or system. ‘Video game console’ does not include a general or an all-purpose computer, which includes, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone.”

So, that means your Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch consoles are all seemingly exempt from having to offer long term support, but at least in the computing space your PC and laptop will be covered.

  • histy@lemmy.worldEnglish
    52·
    1 year ago

    it’s all a big lie with the aim of creating planned obsolescence and generating more sales. In the 80s and early 90s you received an electronic schematic for all the equipment you bought, open up an old crt TV and you’ll see the electronic schematic sometimes stuck inside the casing. Drivers and even some programs were opensource, you bought them and could modify them to work on your hardware.

    Today these companies deny you this under the excuse of “security” or “stifling innovation” or the famous “think of the children”. And the worst thing about it is that some people swallow these lies and think that corporations have their best interests at heart.