Re:Could EU force hardware manufacturers to make working dri...
by loup-vaillant on Sunday October 01, 2023 @07:14PM
(#37731946)
Microcode can be non-configurable.
I'm willing to sacrifice the business model of game consoles.
I hate OEM deals, it just propagates the current monopolies and oligopolies. I'm okay with forcing everyone to buy their phone or laptop separately from the OS.
Re:Could EU force hardware manufacturers to make working dri...
by tbrownaw on Sunday October 01, 2023 @07:42PM
(#37732154)
> Microcode can be non-configurable.
Some of the Spectre bugs were patched via microcode.
That seems like a rather useful ability to have.
Re:Could EU force hardware manufacturers to make working dri...
by loup-vaillant on Monday October 02, 2023 @11:39AM
(#37739545)
It is a useful ability, and I’m still willing to sacrifice it. I’m afraid that allowing updatable firmware to be part of the hardware will just allow hardware companies to get sloppy, not to mention the freedom we could lose if that firmware is proprietary. If hardware is (by law) immutable, then it’s pretty clear it’d better work from day one. No last minute patch, it has to work, or it won’t sell.
This will drive up the costs, as well as the selling price, but if it means hardware will work out of the box more often than it does now I’m willing to pay that cost.
Intel has microcode.
Microsoft has Xbox which I'd guess would have issues getting game releases if excluded from a decent-sized market.
Also. My phone (hardware) came with an OS (software) already installed. As do other pre-assembled computers.