January 13, 2026
Bricked but not beaten
EOL hardware should mean open-source software
When gadgets “die,” the code should go free — EU, please make it happen
TLDR: A call is rising to force companies to unlock basic software and specs when gadgets reach end-of-life, inspired by Bose and frustrated by Spotify’s Car Thing. The community is split between EU enforcement fans and skeptics warning about security and dumping support on unpaid “community” maintainers—because e-waste shouldn’t win.
The internet is screaming a simple demand: when a gadget hits end‑of‑life (EOL), unlock the software. Inspired by Bose opening up its SoundTouch speakers while Spotify’s $200 Car Thing became Car Nothing, the crowd wants Brussels to bring the hammer. One commenter dreamed, “This is where I hope EU do their magic,” while the author’s tale of a “smart” scale that became just… a scale had everyone nodding along.
But then the drama kicked in. Techie herf said systems should “fail open”—in normal words: devices are locked by company keys, and when support ends, you should be able to hand those keys to someone else, safely, without inviting a bot army. The skeptic squad showed up fast: wmf warned that dumping support on “the community” turns into corporate “do it yourself” and entitlement. m463 clapped for Bose’s move yet quipped it could become “no more product support, talk to random people on GitHub.”
Meanwhile, the eternal vibe surfaced: walterbell popped in with “Is there an RSS feed?”—because of course the RSS gang arrives mid‑riot. It’s Team Brussels vs Team Buyer Beware vs Team Hackers, and the memes are strong: unlock it, or watch perfectly good hardware become trash—again.
Key Points
- •The article proposes mandatory open-sourcing or release of hardware specs/protocols when devices reach EOL.
- •It positions this as an extension of the EU’s Right to Repair movement and suggests European Commission enforcement.
- •A smart weight scale example shows hardware still works (Bluetooth), but app EOL removed key functionality.
- •Bose is cited for open-sourcing SoundTouch software ahead of EOL as a constructive model.
- •Spotify’s Car Thing discontinuation in 2024 is cited as a case where EOL created immediate e-waste.