Sustainable Tech

The G42 continues Nokia’s quest to make at-home smartphone repairs simple, accessible and affordable

It looks like Framework lit a fire at Lenovo.

Called Project Aurora, it remains in the concept phase, but is Lenovo exploring methods of execution.

Nothing tangible for consumers yet, but for the past decade Lenovo has been on this march towards consumer-hostility. First with DRM on batteries; then with keyboards built into the topcase, followed by integrated batteries; and now with some series soldered memory, network cards, and only a USB-C option.

As more traditional ThinkPad enthusiasts look at Framework and other brands, it looks like Lenovo is having second thoughts about their road towards planned obsolescence.

Even if Lenovo can get back to where they were in 2011 with repairability, it would be great.

Going a step further -- allowing us to upgrade parts and motherboards over the years, would be amazing but I wouldn't count on it.

The EU's Press Release on User-Replacable Batteries

Batteries are key to the decarbonisation process and the EU's shift towards zero-emission modes of transport. At the same time end-of-life batteries contain many valuable resources and we must be able to reuse those critical raw materials instead of relying on third countries for supplies. The new rules will promote the competitiveness of European industry and ensure new batteries are sustainable and contribute to the green transition. -Teresa Ribera

"“A portable battery should be considered to be removable by the end-user when it can be removed with the use of commercially available tools”"

Additionally, the manufacturer should make batteries available for SEVEN years after release.

A step in the right direction, IMO. Now mandate software support for that duration.

system76 has produced laptops for years that support Linux, but they have always been rebrands of Clevo. Now that they will be designing their own in-house laptop, Principal Engineer Jeremy Soller has announced that it will be completely open, and licensed under the GPLv3.

Soller:

This will be the most open, modern x86 motherboard design I know of.

GitHub - system76/virgo

Today, Fairphone tweeted that it will be supporting the Fairphone 3, released in 2019, until 2026. That's seven years of updates on the stock OS, unheard of in the Android world.

Fairphone 3+ is an upgrade for Fairphone 3 with a better camera module; it can still be purchased new from resellers, and refurbished directly from Fairphone in the EU.

I'm on a Fairphone 4, but this is really neat. 5 years should be the minimum for a phone, and we should be striving towards 10 years of use total.

The Turris Omnia continues to be an incredible return on investment. I bought this in 2015; plugged it in, and it stays up to date.

In 2023, I purchased a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) upgrade kit and updated the internal card myself thanks to the YouTube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79H0FxW85qg

Just an FYI. This router is probably going to be usable for another decade.

This 2019 article introduces the audience to the growing problem of electronic waste. 50 million tons of e-waste were generated in 2018.

The 16" Framework Laptop will include both Intel and AMD options, and will allow upgrading and replacing parts over time.

Announced February 2023. A lower-end phone, but maybe more viable than the FairPhone.

Today's announcement is that Fairphone will be officially sold in the US, complete with a warranty and deGoogled OS.

A classic article from the infamous solar powered LowTechMagazine; the author describes their journey and how they ended up on a laptop from 2006.