Do you know what “manufacturer lock” is? It might be a bit complex, but in truth it’s quite simple. When a company creates an product or service that can only be used with something from the same brand, that’s called a manufacturer lock.
If you have a Handaily tablet and it tells you that you can only download apps from the Handaily app store, that’s a manufacturer lock. That’s right, which means you can only use Handaily products and can’t easily switch to another brand.
“Understanding manufacturer locks is a consideration when you are going out and selecting technology other people own,” Mr. Skolnik said. But here are some tips to avoid getting stuck:
Do Your Homework Before You Buy: Before you purchase a product, find out if it works with your other gear. Look for products that make it simple to switch between various brands.
Fewer Choices: If you’re limited to using just one brand, then you have fewer options available to you when it comes time for upgrades and new features. You could miss some cool stuff from other brands.
Locking Out Competition: Locks by manufacturers can inhibit competition. Companies could not be incentivized to work very hard on improving their products, resulting in fewer choices and higher prices.
Limiting Competition: Manufacturer locks can make it more difficult for businesses to challenge for better prices and additional features – potentially resulting in increased costs for consumers.