Let’s clear the decks on legislation.
The FCC has approved plans to use the 6GHz band for wireless devices, allowing for very low power operations and higher power levels within geofenced areas. This decision could benefit tech companies working on projects like AR glasses and mobile VR devices. The approval expands the spectrum for more general use and provides greater connectivity freedom for companies like Apple, Google, and Meta. Meta’s VP of North American policy praised the decision, stating that it allows for developing the next wave of computing.
Apple announced its support for federal right-to-repair regulations at an event hosted by the Biden administration last week. The company intends to honor California’s new repair provisions nationwide, which require device makers to stock replacement parts and tools and offer repair documentation for several years. Apple’s VP, Brian Naumann, emphasized the need for a uniform federal law that balances repairability with product integrity, data security, usability, and physical safety. He also outlined the ideal features of such a law, including maintaining privacy and device security, ensuring transparency for consumers, and creating a strong national standard.
That’s a subtle development on the AR and mobile VR front. Long term, sure, but a data point to note. AR broadly is where I suspect we’ll find more significant customer value in the long run.
Apple’s shift in stance towards right-to-repair legislation is significant for MSPs and IT service providers, especially those involved in hardware maintenance and repair. The movement towards a federal standard could simplify the repair landscape and lower the barriers for providing repair services. MSPs can position themselves as leaders in repair services that align with these new federal regulations.