Episode Details

Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Guy Serle, Marty Jencius, Jim Rea, Jeff Gamet, Kelly Guimont, and Brian Flanigan-Arthurs examine Spotify's discontinuation of their car device, sparking controversy over sustainability and efforts by users to keep the device functioning, The conversation shifts to Samsung's repair shop policies and the controversy it has sparked. Legal concerns, consumer rights, and Samsung's marketing strategies are explored, with skepticism about their practices, and whether this should affect your interest in Samsung devices.

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Chapters:

00:19 Spotify's Car Thing Discontinued 06:54 Resurrecting Spotify's Car Thing 09:18 Remembering Microsoft Kin and Other Failed Devices 14:35 Samsung's Onerous Repair Demands 16:27 Legal and Ethical Concerns with Samsung's Repair Requirements 18:25 Investigative Journalism on Samsung's Repair Contract 20:33 Challenges Faced by Independent Repair Shops 24:34 Sharing Concerns with Android Owners 26:55 Wrapping Up Discussions on Tech Companies

Links:

Spotify will kill Car Thing units later this year, tells owners to throw them away https://9to5google.com/2024/05/23/spotify-car-thing-dead/

Car Thing discontinued https://support.spotify.com/us/article/car-thing-discontinued/

Microsoft Kin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Kin

Samsung Requires Independent Repair Shops to Share Customer Data, Snitch on People Who Use Aftermarket Parts, Leaked Contract Shows https://www.404media.co/samsung-requires-independent-repair-shops-to-share-customer-data-snitch-on-people-who-use-aftermarket-parts-leaked-contract-shows/

Guests:

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, on his blog, Trending At Work, and as co-host on The Vision ProFiles podcast.

Brian Flanigan-Arthurs is an educator with a passion for providing results-driven, innovative learning strategies for all students, but particularly those who are at-risk. He is also a tech enthusiast who has a particular affinity for Apple since he first used the Apple IIGS as a student. You can contact Brian on twitter as @brian8944. He also recently opened a Mastodon account at @brian8944@mastodon.cloud.

Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer's Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Mac OS Ken, This Week in iOS, and more. Jeff is easy to find on social media as @jgamet on Twitter and Instagram, jeffgamet on LinkedIn., @jgamet@mastodon.social on Mastodon, and on