I came across this headline in the business section of the newspaper

[Bretrick]

Bulletproof demand for must-have gadgets drives half year profit to $306 million for JB HI-FI.
Herein lies a major problem with society today.
It seems that the majority of people must upgrade their "obsolete" devices. Is this driven by the consumers of the companies producing these must-haves?
I believe a huge portion of this question is, it is the companies driving this want. Continually upgrading systems forcing the consumer to ditch their perfectly working gadgets. Sure, keeping up with the Jones and Fear of missing out plays a huge role as well.
One can go through life with a minimum of technology. Heck, I do not own a smart phone and still manage to navigate the world.
What say you?

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Apple is good for that with their exclusivity. My oldest grandson, a good friend and me have discussed this in separate conversations with the two of them and we're turned off by it. But Android devices also eventually have that issue. My tablet can no longer be updated so certain apps are no longer supported. But I'll keep a device until I have no choice but to replace it. That eventually happened with my first tablet.

 

[Bretrick]

Apple is good for that with their exclusivity. My oldest grandson, a good friend and me have discussed this in separate conversations with the two of them and we're turned off by it. But Android devices also eventually have that issue. My tablet can no longer be updated so certain apps are no longer supported. But I'll keep a device until I have no choice but to replace it. That eventually happened with my first tablet.

Which I find the sensible way to conduct one's life. Why the need to line up for the latest release is beyond me.

 

[RambleTamble]

Apparently, they have 352 stores plus their online business, but yeah, that's a pretty good profit, nonetheless.

 

[Bretrick]

Apparently, they have 352 stores plus their online business, but yeah, that's a pretty good profit, nonetheless.

Especially seeing as though it is for 6 months. Which will see a more than half a billion dollars over a full year.

 

[Aunt Bea]

For me, it’s just another choice.

I grew up in a family that always waited when new products came out and we lived next door to a family that always had to have the latest gadgets, I grew up somewhere in the middle.

Technology changes so fast today that no matter what you buy it will be out of date before you get it home and unwrap it.

The bottom line, if a gadget or gizmo meets your needs and expectations there really isn’t any incentive to trade up.

 

[smiley]

I once lived ib a home where the only non-human sound was a radio charged with a stand along acid bath charger - silence was so golden!!