Half of it makes no sense.
As to the other half, do you really need to ask...
We live in a world where obsolescence means being the wrong colour, or because it doesnt do that cool flippy thing...
Obsolete actually means replaced by an improved version at the very least, not outmoded by the whims of fashion. Thats whats wrong with consumer electronics, the fact that its fueled by a desire to make money, and theres no better way of doing that than pandering to desire for a premium.
Theres nothing wrong with wanting or even having a choice, but when that choice is, for example, which of the functionally identical mobile phones to have, and the major influence is it's cosmetics, then there is obviously an enormous problem. In the case of mobile phones, the communications industry is supposed to market devices intended to fund development of its technology, but sadly those resources go towards branding, social engineering and aesthetics when they should go towards improving or evolving the infrastructure.
Computers are another example, going through a false evolution and changing for the sake of change, never moving forwards, in much the same way. I've had the same phone for a few years, it does the same things as the latest models do and will do until it breaks or the nature of communications changes very radically. Same with my computers and everything else, to replace them is pointless and wasteful.
Would you junk and replace your brand new microwave just because it was the wrong colour this month? Doubtful.
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