“New” is a relative term when it comes to tech. One product can remain on the shelves for years while another is replaced annually. The impact this has on your buying decisions can vary. Purchasing last year’s toaster oven may mean missing out on the new air fryer, but it’s not the same as getting an older smart speaker. Here’s why you should avoid buying specific outdated tech.
End Of Life
When a product leaves the market, it’s known as End of Life or EOL. This could result from introducing a newer product, low sales, or other reasons. EOS is sometimes used interchangeably with EOS or End of Sale. EOL does not necessarily mean the manufacturer will stop supporting the product, but this is inevitable as time goes on. Replacement parts will also become more difficult to find. Without updates, your phone, smart speakers, security cameras, operating systems, browsers and routers become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Developers are constantly working to stay ahead of hackers, and you should always have the latest updates to protect yourself. Here are the products you should avoid.
First-generation Amazon Echo
The tall, cylindrical Echo was introduced nearly 10 years ago and it seems Amazon no longer supports it. In fact, people are complaining that they’re having problems just connecting it to Wi-Fi.
Old routers
If a router uses an older security standard like WPA2, don’t go for it. The latest standard is WPA3, which better protects your home network. As a bonus, a new router that supports Wi-Fi 6 bumps up your network speed considerably.
Old iPhones
Apple introduced iOS 16 in September last year, and with that came the usual dropped support for older iPhones. It was an unusually long list that included the following: iPhone 7, 7 Plus, iSE (first generation), 6s, 6s Plus and all older iPhone models.
3G is officially dead
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint no longer support 3G networks. Any device that needs to connect to a 3G network won’t be able to do so. While you’ll be able to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, you won’t be able to make calls or send messages.
Windows 10
As of the end of January, you can no longer purchase Windows 10 from Microsoft. Windows 10 will remain supported with security updates until Oct.14, 2025. If you’re looking for a new PC, make sure it comes with Windows 11.
Old Android Phones
Google began rolling out Android 13 last August, with Pixel phones getting first dibs. In that family, only Pixel 4 and newer models were compatible. Since then, the Samsung Galaxy S20, S21 and S22 all have Android 13 support, along with the Galaxy Z Fold 2, 3 and 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip line of phones.
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Source: Komando
