[otterley]

The few HNers who actually care about these things do not make a market that vendors think is worth serving, most likely because it would be unprofitable. There’s not going to be a market if sellers don’t find it profitable.

[jimktrains2]

That's exactly my point: those options don't exist so there is no hard data on what people prefer. It's silly to say the market decided when it's only speculated on the most profitable path, but that doesn't make it the only profitable one.

[otterley]

There have been many attempts to make a market for free hardware, particularly in the mobile phone market. All have failed thus far.

[jimktrains2]

Libre hardware is not the same as a device supporting only royalty free or otherwise libre codecs.

[otterley]

You’re splitting hairs. Customers, by and large, just do not care.