The news that Apple's recent update deliberately slows their older phone models made its splash in social media, but did not really come as much of a surprise. Most computer users already know about similar features in other operating systems. I know several people who regularly wipe their hard drives and reinstall Windows due to some of its code that is made to slow things down over time (although that's not an advertised function).
This makes sense from a business perspective: forced obsolescence. This tactic forces people to continually buy newer and newer electronic gizmos as their older ones seem to grind to a halt. I've always been bothered that a number of my favorite computer games from my college years can no longer be played on modern computers. It frustrates me that I keep getting updates that reduce the functionality of programs that I liked.
One of the more frustrating ones is Netflix for the Wii U. Originally, the Netflix app showed the program you wanted to watch on the main screen while the controller's second screen had information about the program, playback controls, and a bar that showed the program's progress. There was an option to switch the screens, if you wanted to just use the controller. However, once the Nintendo Switch was announced a new "update" came in for Netflix on the Wii U that removed the information screen and simply made the controller screen mirror whatever is on the main television. After all, Nintendo didn't want people to realize that their older system actually had more functionality than their newer one (which doesn't have a second screen).
I am tired of people working to make things worse simply for the sake of profit (and maybe for their own twisted enjoyment). Thankfully, there are still people (and companies) out there that are trying to make things better too.
This makes sense from a business perspective: forced obsolescence. This tactic forces people to continually buy newer and newer electronic gizmos as their older ones seem to grind to a halt. I've always been bothered that a number of my favorite computer games from my college years can no longer be played on modern computers. It frustrates me that I keep getting updates that reduce the functionality of programs that I liked.
One of the more frustrating ones is Netflix for the Wii U. Originally, the Netflix app showed the program you wanted to watch on the main screen while the controller's second screen had information about the program, playback controls, and a bar that showed the program's progress. There was an option to switch the screens, if you wanted to just use the controller. However, once the Nintendo Switch was announced a new "update" came in for Netflix on the Wii U that removed the information screen and simply made the controller screen mirror whatever is on the main television. After all, Nintendo didn't want people to realize that their older system actually had more functionality than their newer one (which doesn't have a second screen).
I am tired of people working to make things worse simply for the sake of profit (and maybe for their own twisted enjoyment). Thankfully, there are still people (and companies) out there that are trying to make things better too.
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