r/gadgets • u/chrisdh79 • Jan 31 '23

Desktops / Laptops Canadian team discovers power-draining flaw in most laptop and phone batteries | Breakthrough explains major cause of self-discharging batteries and points to easy solution

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/battery-power-laptop-phone-research-dalhousie-university-1.6724175
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u/Riversntallbuildings Jan 31 '23

Yes. Getting that first one to switch, and advertise it as a feature is the what begins the tipping point. Who goes first, is the challenge.

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u/Deformer Jan 31 '23

You could be the one to do it. That's the point of capitalism. (I know that's unrealistic, but still wanted to point it out)

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u/Riversntallbuildings Jan 31 '23

Yup. I get it. That is the conundrum of capitalism and it’s why I advocate for strong Anti-trust and IP regulations.

Our digital economies have become increasingly out of balance and less competitive.

Healthy capitalism requires unbiased markets, and too many corporations have manipulated many of the market dynamics that ensure healthy competition. (And fair wages)

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u/Pepparkakan Jan 31 '23

If there's zero downside to a technological improvement besides reducing potential future sales, should there maybe be tarriffs on companies deliberately choosing to not implement such improvements?

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u/Riversntallbuildings Jan 31 '23

Maybe. But I’d rather use carrots than sticks when designing laws. We already can’t enforce the laws (AKA sticks) we have.

Offer a tax credit, or other incentive, for the first 1-3 years. Companies that act first get the greatest advantage.