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by user5994461 3354 days ago
I don't think they need software lock-in. They already have hardware lock-in, which is easily 10 times stronger.

Rewiring and redesigning all electronics around a new MCU is just an insane undertaking. Irrelevant of API change in the software.
1 comments
petra 3354 days ago
In the EBM embedded survey 2013, regarding microcontorllers[1], they asked the question "why did you use the same processor", pg 56:

https://www.slideshare.net/MTKDMI/2013-embedded-market-study...

Many of the reasons we're regarding software, indicating that software lock-in is a significant factor.

[1]they called it microprocessors , but pages 54, 60 hint we're talking about mcu's.

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user5994461 3354 days ago
Assuming there was a bit of standardisation around the basic API. There is still significant lock-in by other factors.

It could be that the software is the thing they think first, if you ask the people writing it.

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petra 3354 days ago
Maybe. But you have to consider that such surveys(and similar tools) could make semi company managers believe that software lock-in is important, and that's all it takes.
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