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The Dark Side of Planned Obsolescence

Planned obsolescence is annoying regardless of which smart gadget you’re talking about, but it particularly grinds my gears when it comes to TVs. Sure, you don’t have to destroy your wallet for a decent 4K smart TV anymore—but I know plenty of friends and gadget nerds who do shell out for something a ‘lil nicer for their home theater setups. The thing is when you do spend hundreds, or even thousands, on a smart TV the idea is you’ve made an investment. You probably expect it to work for several years—not two or three. And yeah, the display might! Provided you don’t have a monster cat who gets the midnight zoomies or careless movers who wreck your screen, there’s a good chance the smart TV you shelled out for ought to last you. The TV’s software, powered by cheap and wimpy processors, is another story. The whole pitch of a smart TV is that they come with built-in apps that let you stream content natively—except as your TV ages, the processors struggle to handle newer content, manufacturers get stingier with updates and sometimes, kill the very apps that made your smart TV convenient in the first place.

Case in point, Samsung is axing support for its Smart View app in iOS and Android for older TV models. The Samsung app acts as a remote control, but can also stream music, videos, or photos from your phone or tablet. Android Police, which initially reported the news, notes that Smart View has been crappy for a while now, with a deluge of one-star reviews citing disconnects and poor performance. Owners with newer Samsung TVs can turn to the company’s SmartThings app, but if you don’t have a model over K5500 in 2016 or M5500 in 2017, you’ve got zero native support for this sort of functionality. A 3- or 4-year-old TV that otherwise works fine shouldn’t be something you feel compelled to replace because the native apps have shit the bed. And there’s a simple, cost-effective solution: set-top boxes like Rokus, Apple TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, Chromecast, and Nvidia Shields, among others.

The Advantages of Set-Top Boxes

How they offer a cost-effective solution to outdated smart TVs, with a wider range of apps and longer lifespan. For example, the cheapest Roku, even with all of its ads, is a mere $30 and could theoretically last twice as long as your smart TV’s native software. Why wouldn’t you choose a set-top box that could potentially last longer and offer more features than your smart TV?

The Limitations of Set-Top Boxes

How they too can become outdated, but are easier to replace than entire TVs. Netflix pulled its app from some Roku devices, on top of older Samsung and Vizio TVs. But even so, they’re a lot easier on the wallet to replace and probably generate less e-waste than your television. Plus, the affected Roku boxes were eight- to ten-years-old. When you consider the costs, even an expensive $180 Apple TV was preferable to trying to scrounge up another few hundred dollars and deal-hunting.

The Rise of Set-Top Boxes as a Solution

Yet plenty of folks I know balk whenever buying one as an alternative is brought up. Some of it is that not every set-top box has all the apps you’d want—then again, neither does a smart TV, per se. A big reason why I chucked my second-generation Apple TV was when the Amazon Prime TV app was summarily axed. My roommate at the time also hated set-top boxes as they were, in her words, “full of proprietary shit and bullshit ads” and so long as our TV could cast, set-top boxes seemed like an unnecessary expense when a new TV could be found for dirt cheap on Black Friday.

I admit to falling into this trap last Black Friday when I sold my old Samsung TV. It was dying a slow death by malfunctioning apps and selling it helped offset the price of slightly nicer Vizio. But then my secondary LG started dying and the idea of replacing another TV in less than a year was too much—especially since everything else about the TV was in perfectly good condition despite multiple moves. Weighing the costs, even an expensive $180 Apple TV was preferable to trying to scrounge up another few hundred dollars and deal-hunting.

So when the Hulu app on my LG TV crashed for the sixth time in an hour last week, I finally gave in and went back to a set-top box. And wouldn’t you know it, everything is fine now and I didn’t have to spend a fortune. Set-top boxes aren’t perfect. They too are subject to the same obsolescence problem that all connected gadgets face. At the end of last year, Netflix pulled its app from some Roku devices, on top of older Samsung and Vizio TVs. But even so, they’re a lot easier on the wallet to replace and probably generate less e-waste than your television.

The Benefits of a Modular Approach

One of the most significant issues with smart TVs today is their inherent design that binds the display technology with the software and processing power. This makes them vulnerable to obsolescence as the software updates or app support is cut off, leading many consumers to replace their TVs sooner than necessary. A modular approach, where set-top boxes like Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, and Nvidia Shield are used, can mitigate these problems.

Reducing Environmental Impact

By adopting a modular approach, consumers can swap out the set-top box whenever a newer model is released without having to replace the entire TV. Not only does this approach lead to significant cost savings, but it also reduces the volume of electronic waste generated from disposing of outdated devices. This is an important consideration as electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, with the United Nations reporting that 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste were generated in 2019.

Flexibility and Future-Proofing

Set-top boxes also provide flexibility in terms of functionality and future-proofing. For instance, if a particular streaming service is no longer supported by the TV’s native software, users can easily switch to a set-top box that supports the service. This flexibility is particularly important as streaming services and their content offerings continue to evolve rapidly. The use of set-top boxes allows users to keep up with these changes without having to replace the entire TV, thus ensuring a long-term investment.

Moreover, set-top boxes are often built with more robust processors and operating systems, which can handle newer content and software updates more effectively than the internal processors of smart TVs. This means that set-top boxes can often extend the life of a smart TV by providing a more powerful interface for streaming content and accessing the latest applications.

The Importance of User Responsibility

While technology companies are continuously developing robust security measures to protect user data, it is equally important for users to take proactive steps in securing their digital lives. The recent incident of a user experiencing a significant data breach and loss of control over multiple accounts highlights the importance of user responsibility.

The Role of Two-Factor Authentication

One critical step in securing online accounts is the implementation of two-factor authentication (2FA). By adding an additional layer of verification, such as a text message code sent to a mobile phone, users can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. This additional security measure can prevent hackers from gaining entry even if they have obtained the password. Gizmoposts24 recommends that users enable 2FA on all accounts that offer this feature, especially for critical services like email, banking, and social media.

The Need for Regular Backups

Regular backups are another essential practice that can help mitigate the impact of data breaches or device failures. In the case of the mentioned data breach, the user lost a year’s worth of photos and documents because they hadn’t backed up their data. This led to an irretrievable loss of personal information and important documents stored on their devices. The importance of regular backups cannot be overstated. Modern devices like smartphones, tablets, and computers can be easily backed up to cloud services or external hard drives, ensuring that even in the event of a device malfunction or theft, the data remains safe and accessible.

The Consequences of Neglect

The consequences of neglecting these security measures can be devastating. In the case of the author, the hacker managed to take over several online accounts, erase all data from personal devices, and even post offensive content on social media platforms. This scenario is a stark reminder of the real-world implications of inadequate data security. The ease with which the hacker was able to gain access to multiple accounts underscores the importance of using strong, unique passwords for each account and enabling 2FA.

Furthermore, the author’s experience with compromised accounts and lost data is not unique. As digital dependency increases, so does the risk of data breaches. A 2021 report by IBM found that the average cost of a data breach had increased to $4.24 million, up 10% from the previous year. This figure underscores the significant financial and emotional toll that data breaches can have on individuals and businesses alike.

The incident also highlights the need for better coordination between tech companies and their customer service departments. The author’s case revealed a critical disconnect in the verification processes between Amazon and Apple, where Amazon’s lax display of sensitive information was exploited to break into the user’s Apple ID. This points to a broader issue within the industry where data management policies and verification systems are not consistently robust.

The Broader Implications of Cloud Computing

The shift towards cloud computing and connected devices is transforming the way data is stored and accessed, but it also introduces new challenges in managing and securing data. As cloud computing becomes more prevalent, traditional security measures are no longer adequate to protect user data and privacy. Gizmoposts24 explores the broader implications of this transition and the steps necessary to safeguard against emerging threats.

The Shift to Cloud-Based Systems

The transition from traditional, locally stored data to cloud-based systems is a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology. Companies like Apple and Google are increasingly integrating cloud services into their ecosystems, with Apple promoting iCloud and Google’s Android operating system deeply integrated with their cloud services for storage, synchronization, and backup. These cloud services offer numerous conveniences, such as seamless access to files across multiple devices and automatic backups, but they also introduce a new layer of complexity when it comes to security.

For instance, cloud-based systems require robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access. Traditional password-based security is becoming less effective as hackers develop sophisticated methods to bypass these protections. The rise of cloud computing necessitates a shift towards multi-factor authentication and biometric verification methods to secure user data.

The Need for New Security Measures

The reliance on cloud computing systems and the increasing interconnectedness of devices necessitate new security measures. Traditional password-based security mechanisms are no longer sufficient to protect user data against sophisticated cyberattacks. Two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) have become essential in mitigating the risks associated with cloud-based systems. These methods provide an additional layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a one-time passcode sent to a mobile device or a biometric factor like a fingerprint or facial recognition.

Additionally, the shift to cloud computing demands new approaches to data management and encryption. Companies must adopt end-to-end encryption, data segmentation, and rigorous access controls to protect sensitive information. The industry is moving towards a model where security is built into the design of cloud-based systems, rather than being an afterthought. This approach, known as “security by design,” ensures that security measures are integrated at every stage of a product’s lifecycle, from development to deployment and maintenance.

The Importance of Industry-Wide Reform

The changing landscape of cloud computing requires a comprehensive overhaul in the industry’s approach to security. Companies like Amazon and Apple must reassess their data management and verification policies to prevent future breaches. For example, the incident where the hacker exploited a four-digit partial credit card number highlights a significant vulnerability in the verification process. This points to the need for more stringent and consistent security measures across all platforms and services.

Industry-wide reform is necessary to foster a secure environment for users. This includes implementing more stringent data protection regulations and standards, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union, which mandates stringent privacy and security standards for data processing. Companies should also adopt a more transparent approach to data handling, providing users with clear information about how their data is used and protected.

Furthermore, the industry must prioritize user education on security best practices. This includes promoting the use of strong, unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly updating software. Companies can play a pivotal role in educating users about the importance of these measures through user-friendly interfaces and clear instructions.

The shift towards cloud computing is a reality that is here to stay. However, it necessitates a collective effort from both companies and users to ensure that the benefits of this transition are not overshadowed by security vulnerabilities. By implementing robust security measures and fostering a culture of responsibility and awareness, the industry can better protect users in the era of cloud computing.