California, the biggest state in the US when it comes to both population and the sheer volume of tech companies squeezed into its borders, has just passed the country’s most extreme right to repair bill in the US (via Ars Technica). It’s the third state to pass such a bill, but goes further than either Minnesota or New York in that it forces companies to support their products for longer. But while it will cover gaming PCs and laptops, games console manufacturers get a free pass.

There are exceptions, however, and it seems like games consoles are somehow exempt from this right to repair requirement. Guess someone’s been lobbying against the inclusion of consoles, eh? The bill itself talks specifically about an “electronic or appliance product” or just a “product”, but stipulates that doesn’t include a video game console.

“‘Video game console’ means a computing device, including its components and peripherals, that is primarily used by consumers for playing video games, such as a console machine, a handheld console device, or another device or system. ‘Video game console’ does not include a general or an all-purpose computer, which includes, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or cell phone.”

So, that means your Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch consoles are all seemingly exempt from having to offer long term support, but at least in the computing space your PC and laptop will be covered.

  • sfgifz@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Did Apple figure out a way to classify iPhones and Macs as game consoles then?

      • XTornado@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        Unless it switches to primarily being used for playing games that is a no.

        That said that presentation (and some othe previous stuff)… make some suspect that an apple console that is only digital and pulls from their store isn’t that far fetched nowadays. Or s new apple tv more gaming oriented I guess.

    • CaptFeather@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Wait holy shit. I was in a thread talking about the 15 and it was mentioned that Apple seems to be heading this way with the hardware they’ve been adding. This would explain why they didn’t fight this bill