I'm far more annoyed about the waste of resources in recycling all these boxes (not to mention ones that will inevitably end up buried in landfills regardless of the lack of common sense in that action). Climate change is real, now, and the ICT industry contributes an enormous amount to it.
@Apsattv:... technically the apps could be maintained too. Another option would be to add a DLNA or Chromecast client so we can cast whatever to it.A solution could be vodafone whip up a quick app and new firmware to redirect the linear feeds to the Freeview ones. Making the box stiill usable and no longer an ewaste paperweight.
If the TiVo is anything to go by, that would only be feasible if it were community supported. (No income stream from it.) Sadly Sagemcom (manufacturers) won't allow that. (Quote @Samson in an earlier post to this thread.) Like most in our industry, they value their IP ahead of the environment.
Ironically, we have bought a TiVo. A lot more than four years old, and still works very well, with community support.
Having looked at various alternatives, I am (still) left with the conclusion that making a multimedia device is not easy. I hope that Sky get their new box right.
Steve