Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Washington Bill Makes It Illegal To Sell Gadgets Without Replaceable Batteries (vice.com)

Posted by msmash on from the right-to-repair dept.

Jason Koebler writes: A bill that would make it easier to fix your electronics is rapidly hurtling through the Washington state legislature. The bill's ascent is fueled by Apple's iPhone-throttling controversy, which has placed a renewed focus on the fact that our electronics have become increasingly difficult to repair.

Starting in 2019, the bill would ban the sale of electronics that are designed "in such a way as to prevent reasonable diagnostic or repair functions by an independent repair provider. Preventing reasonable diagnostic or repair functions includes permanently affixing a battery in a manner that makes it difficult or impossible to remove."

5 of 384 comments (clear)

  1. Cars not included by DalM · · Score: 5, Informative

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) Nothing in this section applies to 30 motor vehicle manufacturers, any product or service of a motor 31 vehicle manufacturer, or motor vehicle dealers." Cars and tractors are still not included. Still got to go through the dealer for service.

  2. Re:Not Sure They Understand by hipp5 · · Score: 3, Informative

    FTB (from the Bill):

    2) "Digital electronic product" means a handheld or portable electronic device containing a microprocessor and flat panel computer monitor originally manufactured for distribution and sale in the United States for general consumer purchase. Digital electronic product includes but is not limited to smartphones, electronic reading devices, laptop computers, and tablets.

    So no, it will not outlaw musical greeting cards... unless they come with a flat panel monitor. It seems like it will also not outlaw medical or industrial devices, as it says "for general consumer purchase".

  3. Waterproof doesn't require non-replaceable battery by TimTucker · · Score: 2, Informative

    If having a non-replaceable battery was key to making devices waterproof, why do the majority of action cameras have replaceable batteries?

  4. Re:What's "reasonable" is like "due process" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Hey, Slashdotters, stop bitching about "reasonable". The US Constitution uses the term "due process" for the 5th and 14th amendments. Yeah, wish that were a little less vague, but it kind of works.

    ...

    It does?!?!?

    Tell that to the US citizens "unmasked" after the Obama administration turned the NSA and the FBI into Hillary!'s campaign worker bees.

  5. Re: wording by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 3, Informative

    Define "bulky"?

    Lumia 950XL : 8.1 mm 3350 user serviceable mah battery
    iPhone X : 7.7 mm 2750 permanent battery

    I also get to mix up the design of my phone with new backings without adding any bulk like a phone case adds.

    0.4mm is 4 sheets of paper.