PSA: Lifetime Doesn't Mean Lifetime

[MaFt]

While I'm fully aware that most of our readers will already know this, the term 'Lifetime Support' doesn't mean you will get updates forever. What I wasn't aware of was just how many people incorrectly believe it does. A recent Which? report claims that 60% of us believed that 'Lifetime' meant for as long as the device worked.

As we know, this isn't the case - just look at the TomTom debacle earlier in the year for proof. The term 'Lifetime' refers to the lifetime that the manufacturer decide to provide support for it - this is generally decided by a technical/hardware limitation such as the current maps or software are too big to physically fit on an older device or older processors simply can't handle updated software.

In a nutshell, just make sure you keep your devices up to date as you never know when their lifetime will end! Also, if you've only just bought a device that then reaches it's end of life then you can likely get a refund under the Unfair Trading Regulations.

Source: Which?

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[Kremmen]

I did read somewhere about new laptops being sold in a major retailer that were already out of date according to the Win10 updater.

These laptops had internal components that had been deemed end of life by the component manufacturer so Microsoft followed suit and effectively blacklisted them.

Win10 eh
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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

[marksfish]

Just bought a new (refurbished) laptop from Argos and spent 2 days installing updates
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Garmin Drivesmart 51 LMT-D Europe

[M8TJT]

Nothing new about that even on a brand spanking new one.
Regular MS updates make sure it will need updating.

[Graculus]

A bit like my "lifetime subscription" to PocketGPS' speed camera database, then, which claims it expires in less than 8 years. I hope to still be around in 8 years time.

[M8TJT]

I seem to have seomething in the region of 10 years, 274 days, 19 hours, 40 minutes, 35 seconds left

[MaFt]

Lifetime membership to the database here will be renewed once it expires. Don't worry about that :D

[DennisN]

[Kremmen]

It's in his will to be handed down to master MaFt
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DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3

[adrianpool]

For Info

I got this reply from TomTom in 2016

Dear Mr ***********

Thank you for contacting TomTom Customer Care Team. My name is Bhavesh and I am happy to help you.

The reference number for your query is ************

I understand you have received an email stating the start date and end date of Lifetime maps for your Start 25 device.

Apologies for the inconvenience this may have caused. Please be assured that I will put my best efforts to assist you.
I would like to inform you that we can assign Lifetime maps on your device for 10 years but that doesn't mean you will not receive Map updates after that.

Once the maps expire, please contact us and we will renew the Lifetime maps for your Start 25 device with another 10 years.

I hope the above provided information will get the issue resolved for you.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. I will be more than happy to assist you again.

With Kind Regards

The TomTom Customer Team

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