I read that Arduino will still stay open source. Do you think that’s true?
Sure, for some definition of "open source."
It's been a while since one can open and modify a hardware design in a free CAD program, for instance, or easily create/build your own modification of a design, just because the designs are getting more complex.
SW wise, I think it'll need to stay at least as Open Source as Raspberry Pi (ie "mostly", with occasional "binary blobs" that are more difficult or impossible to get source for, in areas where people mostly don't/shouldn't care.
I'd be more worried about as to whether it remains FREE.
The thing is, since when has there been a company where you can copy what you want and they’re OK with it?
As in, the allowance to copy stuff? (If so I’d agree)
It depends on what you mean by "copy". The open source licenses are an explicit legally binding statement that Arduino and Qualcomm are "OK" with you copying the licensed intellectual property, under the terms of the license. It is true that open source licenses do impose some restrictions on the manner of that copying, but these are more intended to preserve the right of others to copy, and to protect the intellectual property owner from unfairly incurring legal liability from the use of the copied content.
It is true that not everything Arduino has created is offered for the copying. Most significantly, Arduino maintains ownership of the Arduino trademark and related trademarks (e.g., the Arduino logo), and is definitely not OK with unrestricted use of the trademarks by others. Additionally, certain of Arduino's intellectual property is not offered under an open source license.
No,FREE as in you don't need to pay money to use it or buy a subscription
Well, the things that have been released under an open source license will always be free (as in beer, as well as in freedom).
Of course you may still wonder about what business model will be used for new projects going forward. It is worth noting that it doesn't necessarily need to be a situation of one or the other. For example, Arduino has offered the Arduino Cloud service under a subscription for years now. Meanwhile, many open source projects have been created (and likely partly funded from those subscriptions) during that same time. And even though there are paid Arduino Cloud plans, there is also a free plan used by many community members.
New updated ToS is out, pretty much says it all.
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There is more information about the changes to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy here:
This blog post is pure PR.
True transparency means informing users in a timely manner and within a reasonable timeframe, and explaining the necessary changes before they are implemented.
Concealing changes with tons of legal arguments does not foster open dialogue.
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I think of it this way: one of the biggest computer chip manufacturer in world is saying that they still care just as much as before they bought it. I’m not doubting there word (yet!) but the question still arises: do they really care? I mean, think of when you get messages from Microsoft, saying that stuff’s been changed, or they’ve updated their polices; but can an email sent to thousands of people really convey a sense of care? I just wonder about this in the same way.