EOL hardware should mean open-source software

4 months ago

Companies should be required to open-source software when hardware products reach end-of-life (EOL).
The 'Right to Repair' movement has made progress, but further action is needed, possibly enforced by the European Commission.
A personal example highlights the issue: a 'smart' weight scale becomes useless because the app is no longer supported.
Wasteful electronics are a growing concern, and preventing hardware from becoming e-waste is both sustainable and ethical.
Bose's rare example of open-sourcing is praised, but most companies, like Spotify with its Car Thing, do not follow suit.
Request is not for full codebase open-sourcing but for basic hardware specs and connection protocols to allow community development.
With the rise of accessible development tools like vibe-coding, even regular users can contribute to software solutions.
Starting in 2026, the author plans to share focused notes on product design, technology, and business.

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