Why can't we reuse smol SoC devices?

I've got two Amazon FireStick units and a gen 1 Chromecast dongle in a drawer. They are three SoC devices I'd love to repurpose but the manufacturers have locked them up so when they get replaced by newer models with extra features they become landfill!

So frustrating, I'd love to make one a simple command line computer so my 4 year old could type stories on an immutable system. I'd host my Gemini capsule on another and free up the Raspberry Pi for other projects. Even then I'd still have one free for tinkering with....

Permacomputing needs manufacturers to open systems at the end of life to encourage communities to #repurpose and reuse them because guess what they'll make loyal customers in a thriving community that way.

We also need this to be simple enough for everyone to be able to reuse their tech.