{
  "id": 12157140,
  "title": "The People Who Refuse to Let Their Gadgets Die",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/the-people-who-refuse-to-let-their-gadgets-die",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T12:59:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Atlantic",
    "slug": "the-atlantic",
    "url": "https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/10/meet-the-upgrade-holdouts/688874/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "For over a decade, Apple's executives have urged users to get rid of their old gadgets and upgrade to newer devices. This was the message given by Phil Schiller at an iPad Pro launch in 2016, a year when the average iPhone user traded in their phone every 23 months and Apple promised users \"never want to go back to old technology again.\" However, a growing number of Americans are now refusing to replace their devices. These legacy users, or upgrade holdouts, have decided to stick with their older gadgets, despite the difficulties they face in completing everyday tasks. Some holdouts are older individuals who find it intimidating to learn new interfaces, while others are minimalists who appreciate the simplicity of older technology or consider themselves anti-consumerists. Many are driven by practicality, such as Larye Parkins who uses a 2007 Compaq computer because it is cheaper. Some of their devices are so old that they are now on display in museums. Mike Tyran, a 66-year-old nurse, uses a 2003 iPod and other devices nearly a decade old. Tyran has no interest in contributing to e-waste or spending large amounts of money on gadgets with advanced features. The common enemy of these holdouts is planned obsolescence, where products are deliberately designed to have short lifespans. This practice is especially prevalent in the tech industry, with companies like Apple slowing down older iPhones and engaging in parts pairing, preventing certain third-party parts from working on repaired devices. Despite these obstacles, holdouts like Gary Flanagan, a 54-year-old nonprofit consultant, are content with their old iPhones and even use a pair of Radio Shack headphones gifted to him in 1983. Nathan Proctor, a right-to-repair campaign director, notes that sometimes devices are made obsolete quickly, while others die slowly as software updates are halted. To continue using their devices, holdouts must adapt to the constraints of their day-to-day lives. Some face challenges in downloading apps or watching videos, while others must rely on workarounds to navigate a world dominated by QR codes. Despite these challenges, holdouts like Josh Fredman, a 44-year-old freelance copywriter and editor, find value in maintaining a sense of control over their digital presence. Fredman uses a 16-year-old and 13-year-old computers, which serve as an oasis from today's digital spaces, free from constant notifications and update alerts.",
  "summary": "What if you never upgraded at all?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}