Apple starts selling parts, tools and repair guides

John

Apple has just made a big announcement about the fact that they are going to start selling replacement parts, tools and repair guides for Apple devices to the public, instead of just to authorised Apple service companies.

This means that anyone who is technically competent will be able to repair their own iPhone, Mac, etc. and in theory at least should mean that more devices get repaired instead of just replaced.

They will be available first for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups, then Macs with M1 chips, Starting early next year in the US and then expanding to other countries during 2022.

It would be nice if it kicks off a round of other tech companies following the example, which would be great for consumers and increase sustainability a lot as well.

Ash

Great to hear although things like this really should have been supported a while back. Better late than never though. Wonder how many people are going to botch their repairs though 😆

John

Ash Wonder how many people are going to botch their repairs though

Well Apple aren't going to mind that, they will just charge you even more to fix it once you do, and then they make the money twice. 😃

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Ash Wonder how many people are going to botch their repairs though 😆

Even if you can't do it yourself, it means that a lot more small repairers can do it without needing to charge huge prices because they have paid to become Apple certified.

Ash

John True, although in some cases, I'm sure they would just refuse to repair it and try to push you to get a new one.

Piri

Ash I don't know how it is now, but I remember some years ago they were kind of fixing laptops after warranty expires, but to change screen was so expensive…..

John

I'm curious to see whether this is actually going to make any difference to people's upgrade schedules.

I doubt think it will, because it only allows for reissue and but not upgrading components, so people who want the new features will still but a new iPhone every couple of years.

Ash

John I do think some people are slowing down with their schedule though. The yearly iPhone releases just aren't as exciting anymore before they're starting to lack ideas for new big features.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Ash I do think some people are slowing down with their schedule though. The yearly iPhone releases just aren't as exciting anymore before they're starting to lack ideas for new big features.

Because what else can you need it to do?

The cameras are better than the cheap digital cameras most people had before, the internet is as fast as most people have at home, and they are more powerful than a top of the line computer from just a decade ago.

Brighter screens, more battery, but I don't think there is any new 'feature' that people actually need at all.

Ash

Very true. I think we've definitely reached a point where there's not much else to expect from it other than improvements to the screen, speed, and storage I guess.

John

Ash I think the area where there is most room for improvement is in battery tech, that's the same for phones just as much as it is for laptops or electric cars.

Apart from that… holographic displays maybe?

Kyllikki

John Apart from that… holographic displays maybe?

Imagine how much people would obsess about their instagram photos if they were 3d holo versions that could be seen from all angles 😆

Ash

That would be the next step that makes sense I guess. I wonder if we will ever get those transparent phones that people like to design/draw.

Ash

Now I really want a phone where you can communicate with others using holograms. Imagine the Star Wars stuff in real life!

John

Ash Now I really want a phone where you can communicate with others using holograms. Imagine the Star Wars stuff in real life!

I just did a quick search and plenty of tech media were reporting that it was the next thing and that it was close, etc. about 5-6 years ago, seems to have dropped off the radar since then, but it's going to be back at some point for sure.

Ash

There are probably a few GoFundMe or other funding site projects that are already promising these in the next few years I guess. It's just a waiting game now I guess.

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