this post was submitted on 21 Dec 2024
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[–] conciselyverbose@sh.itjust.works 153 points 5 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] SlopppyEngineer@lemmy.world 34 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 36 points 3 hours ago (3 children)

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.

[–] corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca 3 points 39 minutes ago

seizes to exist.

[–] Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works 4 points 49 minutes ago* (last edited 49 minutes ago)

*ceases, a cute voice-to-text error

[–] BorgDrone@lemmy.one 2 points 51 minutes ago

You can put money and source code in escrow for this exact eventuality.

[–] conciselyverbose@sh.itjust.works 14 points 4 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

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.

[–] MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml 7 points 4 hours ago

But that's communism!!1!1!!

[–] TimeSquirrel@kbin.melroy.org 27 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] Toes@ani.social 14 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

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.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 6 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

Did they grow up in an Amish house? How is that possible

[–] Toes@ani.social 4 points 1 hour ago

I really don't know. All I can say was he was one of the lucky 10,000 that day.

[–] Usernameblankface@lemmy.world 11 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

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

[–] D_Air1@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 hour ago

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.

[–] viking@infosec.pub 42 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Using some creepy robot with a proprietary algorithm to provide "emotional support" to children sounds like a good thing to go out of business.

[–] RobotToaster@mander.xyz 22 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

IIRC they were designed for kids with autism.

[–] rottingleaf@lemmy.world 4 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

One would expect kids with autism to be more picky about their emotional support, not less

[–] AdamEatsAss@lemmy.world 2 points 54 minutes ago

I'm sure it worked for some and not for others.

[–] Slovene@feddit.nl 23 points 3 hours ago (2 children)

So these robots will be autobots?

[–] Passerby6497@lemmy.world 11 points 2 hours ago* (last edited 2 hours ago)

I bet the kids feel lied to, so probably decepticons

[–] Greg@lemmy.ca 8 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Is there missing punctuation in that headline or am I an idiot?

[–] Jesus_666@lemmy.world 22 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

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"

[–] Greg@lemmy.ca 13 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

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.

[–] Evil_incarnate@lemm.ee 23 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

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