The Sony timer (ソニータイマー, Sonī taimā), or Sony kill switch, is an urban legend that electronic devices produced by Sony are equipped with a timer which, upon reaching a deliberately preset deadline, causes the product to stop functioning, forcing the user to buy a replacement.[1][3] The legend began in Japan in the 1980s and was later repeated in other countries.[1] The idea of products being designed to stop working after a period of time is known as planned obsolescence.
- ^ a b c Skipworth, Hunter (January 22, 2010). "The myth of the Sony 'kill switch'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ "ソニー、定時株主総会を開催。「利益を伴う成長へ」 「ソニータイマーという言葉は認識している」中鉢社長]". AV watch (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
- ^ "What's "Sony Timer"? That Appears on Internet so Frequently Nowadays". September 1, 2006. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2018.