As the Millennium has progressed, it’s fair to say that we’ve become ever more reliant on technology. However, although our reliance on technology has increased, we need to ask ourselves whether this activity is sustainable. In this post, we look at whether the technology we’re using is ‘built to last’.
The Case of Apple and the iPhone
When you buy a smartphone, how long do you expect it to last? Many people would argue that because they take their phone out on a 24-month contract, they expect it to last at least two years. However, although Apple suggests their phones should last for around three-years, they only offer a one-year warranty.
This issue recently came to light in a class-action lawsuit brought against the company after the premature failure of a number of iPhones. This was caused by an issue known as‘touch disease’. With Apple fighting against the lawsuit claiming that they only guarantee the phone for one year (in spite insisting that it should last for three), it’s only fair that we ask, how long should our technology last?
Does this Apply to All Technology?
The truth is the iPhone isn’t the only technology that isn’t necessarily ‘built to last’. This is a process known as planned obsolescence, and it impacts everything from telephones to machinery to computers to lightbulbs. Whether the products are ‘built to break’ is a separate subject, but many manufactures are trying to balance creating technology that lasts and a customer base that wants the latest and greatest things. For example, an old Nokia 3210 may still work after a decade, but would you still want to use it in the current marketplace?
However, technology that’s not quite required to be at the cutting edge appears to still be ‘built to last’. Mice, keyboards and other peripherals in the office have shown that there’s still a marketplace for technology that lasts. Elsewhere, cars are now designed to last longer than ever before. Planned obsolescence may not impact everything we use, but it’s certainly a factor to be aware of, particularly if you’re running a business that uses a lot of technology and computing power.
Due to all these aforementioned problems, it’s wise that you protect yourself. On a personal level, this can include options such as extended warranties. However, if you’re a business and you’re looking to protect against breakdowns, then it’s wise to look at Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS). By capturing key information, such as asset health, you can optimise the use of resources, not only preventing breakdowns, but also improving efficiencies.
To conclude, our personal and business technology may not be built to last as long as we’d hoped. However, some peripherals may buck the trend. As a result, you should take protective measures such as extended warranties and CCMS to protect what you hold most valuable, from a personal smartphone handset to a computer network.
