Unlike smartphones or computers, the law does not require manufacturers to monitor television updates over the long term.
Connected televisions (Smart TVs) are much more than just screens. They all have an operating system, like computers or smartphones. And each manufacturer deploys, more or less regularly, updates to correct bugs, improve certain functions, plug security vulnerabilities or enrich their devices with new possibilities.
For many years, televisions have not had a single major system update. Over the years, they have become more and more obsolete, prohibiting, for example, the addition of applications that are too recent. However, things are changing.
Samsung and LG are finally getting started
At the beginning of the year, the Korean giant LG announced that its televisions running webOS, the in-house operating system, would now benefit from five years of updates. A decision which targets the most recent televisions, of course, but also certain earlier models. A nice step forward for the durability of these devices.
An example recently followed by the other Korean giant Samsung. Last August, the manufacturer announced that it was promising more serious software monitoring for its televisions. He indicated that his Tizen OS system, in place on his TVs, would benefit from seven years of updates. A policy that applies to devices released since last year and, of course, to future ranges.
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Updates at the discretion of the manufacturers
On the other hand, for TVs running Android TV/Google TV and Fire TV, Amazon’s system, software tracking is a different story. These systems are used under license. Both Google TV and Amazon Fire TV benefit from updates quite regularly to take advantage of new functions. However, as with smartphones, it is up to each manufacturer to deploy, or not, the new version proposed.
In France, the anti-waste law requires consumers to be informed of the duration during which software updates provided when purchasing the item remain compatible with normal use of the device. It sets this minimum duration at two years. In 2025, televisions will have to display a durability index that takes into account updates. For now, it’s about trusting the manufacturer to have an up-to-date device for as long as possible.
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