We should urge law makers to unlock the bootloaders
I have so many old android and iPhone devices that turn on and work OK-ish. I don't think I will use them as my main drivers but could be used for something else. (I am an electronics hobbyist). But unfortunately most phone and tablets have boot-loader locked made it impossible to mess with the original OS, insecure to use because they haven't been patched in a while. Security is one reason but the main reason is manufacturer control why they are locked in the first place. There are billions of old devices in e-waste now can be repurposed as usable systems if those devices support loading alternate operating systems or used for learning purpose. If we can get it into law, forcing manufacturer to open those bootloaders may be after a period, I am sure i can donate those devices to someone who could use for something.
There is something called Collapse OS I read about here on HN:
http://collapseos.org/
I myself am a collector of old devices, having raised three kids plus being a web dev. Hate throwing them away too I was just think about this today could I extract the CPUs or RAM or something to reuse rather than destory for the metals. I'd like to learn more hardware but no time.
Good question - maybe there should be a time period placed on it. Allow unlocking of boot loaders 10 years after manufacture or similar. The vendors you would hope could get on board with that.