Description: No headphone jack on the new iPhone 7 and  wireless earbuds –  that seemed to be catching most of the attention with Apple’s latest release of its mega-product. It’s probably not exactly what Apple was hoping consumers would  focus on with its latest product launch. But some are saying the iPhone is showing signs of maturity, and there may not be the same ‘wow factor’ of prior versions. Jonathan Sterne of McGill University highlighted the vanishing plug-and-jack system as an example of  planned obsolescence.

Date: September 8, 2016

Source: theglobeandmail.com

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/a-tempest-in-a-headphone-jack/article31767127/

Discussion Points:

1) Are you an iPhone user? Do you think you will upgrade to the new phone?

2) Have you had any recent experience with disposing of a piece of consumer electronics that was still working? Have you calculated your own personal cost of planned obsolescence?

3) What can accountants do to help quantify the environmental costs of planned obsolescence?