Apple Patent Applications: Tamper-Resistant Labels for Hardware, Accelerometer-Based

[maknik]

What I dislike is that this all goes only one way. I'd be in favor of the tamper-identifying packaging if, when it showed you hadn't tampered, they'd be less likely to accuse you of having meddled with it. But somehow I expect it will just become one more way of denying service.

I say this because the last time I went in to get my Macbook repaired under warranty, they accused me of a) having had the computer (mis)repaired before, and b) having spilled water on it, even though 1) there was no evidence of it having been opened or any of the warranty seals broken, and 2) none of the water sensors had been tripped (both a and b were false, though of course my protestations were no proof).

Somehow, all that "gotcha" stuff in there that wasn't tripped didn't get me off the hook -- but get even one drop of rain on that fully exposed water sensor in the iPhone and you're out. So my guess is that this becomes just another way to deny service, not a genuine tool for better distinguishing the non-scofflaws from the scofflaws.

 

[koobcamuk]

What I dislike is that this all goes only one way. I'd be in favor of the tamper-identifying packaging if, when it showed you hadn't tampered, they'd be less likely to accuse you of having meddled with it. But somehow I expect it will just become one more way of denying service.

I say this because the last time I went in to get my Macbook repaired under warranty, they accused me of a) having had the computer (mis)repaired before, and b) having spilled water on it, even though 1) there was no evidence of it having been opened or any of the warranty seals broken, and 2) none of the water sensors had been tripped (both a and b were false, though of course my protestations were no proof).

Somehow, all that "gotcha" stuff in there that wasn't tripped didn't get me off the hook -- but get even one drop of rain on that fully exposed water sensor in the iPhone and you're out. So my guess is that this becomes just another way to deny service, not a genuine tool for better distinguishing the non-scofflaws from the scofflaws.

Yes; this is why I am slowly going off Apple.

 

[joueboy]

Void Warranty!

I would'nt be surprised if Apple will incorporate accelerometers to sense when the device have been dropped to void warranty. Somehow they already got away with moisture issues with the device telling customer that their devices failure due to liquid damages. I know some people are trying to take advantage of the warranty system. How about those honest people who were taken advantage telling them that their device is not covered by the warranty and they have to pay for the repair when they
already paid the extended warranty.

 

[rwilliams]

What I dislike is that this all goes only one way. I'd be in favor of the tamper-identifying packaging if, when it showed you hadn't tampered, they'd be less likely to accuse you of having meddled with it. But somehow I expect it will just become one more way of denying service.

I say this because the last time I went in to get my Macbook repaired under warranty, they accused me of a) having had the computer (mis)repaired before, and b) having spilled water on it, even though 1) there was no evidence of it having been opened or any of the warranty seals broken, and 2) none of the water sensors had been tripped (both a and b were false, though of course my protestations were no proof).

Somehow, all that "gotcha" stuff in there that wasn't tripped didn't get me off the hook -- but get even one drop of rain on that fully exposed water sensor in the iPhone and you're out. So my guess is that this becomes just another way to deny service, not a genuine tool for better distinguishing the non-scofflaws from the scofflaws.

Exactly. Apple seems to be finding more and more ways to deny service to legitimate customers who are not trying to beat the system. For crying out loud, there have been people whose iPhone water sensors have been triggered from working out at the gym. Those sensors should not be nearly as exposed as they are and it's way too easy for Apple to cop out on repairs when it takes so little to "void the warranty".

 

[guzhogi]

AppleInsider has a similar story. They say that APple says this'll save the manufacturers lots of money (probably due to not having to service warranties). If it does save them money, will they pass the savings on to the consumers? Probably not.

 

[baryon]

Apple doesn't put a serial number on OS X and iWork, but they do everything they can to not have to fix something that isn't covered by their ridiculously short 1 year warranty... strange! It looks like they hate repairing stuff. I think Apple hardware should have at least 2 years of warranty FOR FREE, just like any other electronics product, by the way. Wasn't there a law in the European Union about this?

 

[Gradivus]

Get real

I'm pretty sure Apple's philosophy is -
If you buy a Panasonic TV, you'd never open it up and change the internal components.
If you buy a Bosch washing machine, you'd never open it up and change the internal components.
If you buy a Samsung Bluray player, you'd never open it up and change the internal components.
If you buy an Apple product...
...you'd never open it up and change the internal components.

You don't need to be a electronics engineer to use a TV. You don't need to be an IT engineer to use a Mac (unlike *!@*).

And, of course if you're so dissatisfied with the water sensors, etc. on your iPod you could always buy a Zune

 

[wackymacky]

surely these "tamper proof" lables will just be able to be bought on line anyway.

So when you buy a new part for the phone, just order a label to go with it?

(Mind you chances are if you're pulling the phone apart it's casue it's out of warrenty any way)

I love the pic by the way. Who would have thought the 4G iPhone would look like a Nokia!

 

[Vulpinemac]

Apple does ... everything they can to not have to fix something that isn't covered by their ridiculously short 1 year warranty...

Ridiculously-short 1 year warranty? When nearly every other similar product has only a 90-day warranty?

I think Apple hardware should have at least 2 years of warranty FOR FREE, just like any other electronics product, by the way.

Show me any other equivalent electronics product that gives you a free 2-year warranty out of the box. I don't deny that service contracts are available, but 'just any other electronics product' rarely has more than a 1-year limited warranty, and they work harder than anyone to avoid warranty repairs.

On the other hand, having been a factory-authorized repair service technician, I have seen some really screwed-up devices come in for repair under warranty that were more than obviously not covered. "Oh, I never let my cat anywhere NEAR my stereo!" "Then why does it smell of cat p***? Why are the insides coated with crystalized cat urine? Sorry, we'll fix it, but it'll cost you. Cheaper to replace it."

I'm sorry for those who are burned by this kind of policy, but you'd be surprised at just how many people go out of their way to get something for nothing when they don't really deserve it. As yet, I've never had an Apple warranty rejected for the very few times I've had to rely on it. Come on now, most of the time Apple does the repair without question; if they reject it, they usually have a good and visible reason. This is just to ensure that the reason is that much MORE visible--even to the uneducated.

 

[shakastange]

You can change the battery in an iPod. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Energiz...ci_sku=8440001&ref=06&loc=01&id=1183160885228

For a large percentage of users the battery on a Cell phone or ipod will never be changed, or will only be changed once every 3-5 years.

I think the dumbest thing I've ever heard is wasting money and space to make the battery on a cell phone removable, only to end up with a battery door that is constantly falling off or coming open. I think the "permanent" rechargeable batteries on the iPhone and iPod are absolutely genius.

P.S. before you mention power users who need 2 batteries for their cell phone you should consider the multitude of external batteries available for cell phones and iPods. There is no reason to be limited to one battery charge per day.

And then you realise that notebook batteries seriously degrade after a year or 2 of use. A period when most computers are out of warranty. Meaning you would have to fork out a repair fee for a weak link in a consumer device.

Who is protecting the consumer here? Yes I know the argument, don't buy their products if you don't want to be subjected to that. But we are all aware of the monkey see monkey do mentality on in corporate America. What if this catches on? What if all TV manufacturers force you to take your remotes in for service when their sealed in batteries go bad?

I think the power is really taking a toll on Stevie, moreso than normal. He is too much of a control freak. For someone who allegedly studies Zen, such an attitude seems odd indeed.

 

[rwilliams]

I'm pretty sure Apple's philosophy is -
If you buy a Panasonic TV, you'd never open it up and change the internal components.
If you buy a Bosch washing machine, you'd never open it up and change the internal components.
If you buy a Samsung Bluray player, you'd never open it up and change the internal components.
If you buy an Apple product...
...you'd never open it up and change the internal components.

You don't need to be a electronics engineer to use a TV. You don't need to be an IT engineer to use a Mac (unlike *!@*).

And, of course if you're so dissatisfied with the water sensors, etc. on your iPod you could always buy a Zune

Apple surely can't be stupid enough to think that people would never want to open their computers to upgrade the hard drive & memory. And the water sensors are merely a clever way to avoid liability on Apple's part. They never even bother to check out an iPod or iPhone if that stupid sensor has changed color. The problem could be completely unrelated to whatever drop of water hit the sensor, but all the so-called "Geniuses" have to do is shine a flashlight in there and then claim there is nothing they can do. It's absurd.

 

[john0879]

I think Apple hardware should have at least 2 years of warranty FOR FREE, just like any other electronics product, by the way.

Two years just like HP, Gateway, and Dell, right?

Not that I wouldn't like a two year warranty, but you need to do some basic research before making statements like this.

 

[lightpeak]

lol Hey, as some people say to those Psystar supporters: Apple makes their own software to be designed and installed only into the hardware that they build. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

Kind of a twist on that sentiment. I don't see the problem. It's not like a computer where you upgrade the RAM or upgrade the hard drive. There's no real reason to open up a iPod Touch/iPhone. If it's broken and within the warranty and not maliciously or carelessly destroyed, Apple should honour their warranty. If they don't, then I guess it's considered by Apple to be a "disposable" product and if you like it enough, you'll pony up the money to buy it new again. If it's beyond the warranty, you can open it up and replace whatever device that you think is possible to be user-replaced. Whether it's in the boundaries of a warranty or not, you open it up like that, you forfeit the warranty.

 

[*LTD*]

Understandable if people are shoving in unsupported 3rd party hardware into Apple hardware, and then turning around and demanding Apple take responsibility for any ensuing damage while still under warranty.

 

[kingtj]

Yeah.... unfortunately true ....

I think if they *really* take things to the point where you can't perform basic upgrades though, that will drive customers away from the platform.

Apple really likes to come up with creative ways to scare people away from attempting to service their machines themselves. (EG. I tried to open a 17" white Intel iMac recently, to do a hard drive swap for a friend. Her drive was clicking and about to die, and she barely had the money to buy the replacement bare drive - much less pay for an out of warranty repair. Apple went to the trouble to come up with little internal latches that can only be released by slipping a credit card or similar thin flexible object up through the rear ventilation slots, until you press them just right with the edge of it! I would have never figured that out if I didn't read the instructions on someone's web site -- and it still took a few minutes to hit the second latch just right with the card!)

But at the same time, they seem to have made RAM upgrades easier for users than before, and they're headed that direction with notebook hard drive upgrades too.

Really, I think this particular patent is intended more for the iPhones or iPod Touches (or maybe the upcoming tablet device?) than anything else. These devices get dropped, thrown around, and otherwise abused far more often than someone's desktop or portable computer would. They probably want to know that things like backlit screens failing really are product defects, vs. users knocking the solder connections loose with rough treatment.....

Apple has been making more and more of their devices less user-serviceable. It will get to the point where no one will be able to do anything without paying Apple to do it for them. Its kind of sad really but it does chime with Steve's original vision of the Mac as a computing appliance.

 

[synth3tik]

Apple's just making it easier for them not to honor your warranty.

 

[Gradivus]

Apple surely can't be stupid enough to think that people would never want to open their computers to upgrade the hard drive & memory. And the water sensors are merely a clever way to avoid liability on Apple's part. They never even bother to check out an iPod or iPhone if that stupid sensor has changed color. The problem could be completely unrelated to whatever drop of water hit the sensor, but all the so-called "Geniuses" have to do is shine a flashlight in there and then claim there is nothing they can do. It's absurd.

I don't think it's stupidity. I think Apple is trying to move its products out of anorak territory and into the mainstream and I, for one, heartily agree - it'll work wonders for Apple's sales in the long term. PVRs, for example, contain a hard disc; replacing the disc with a larger capacity one means you can record more TV. But no-one does; except dedicated anoraks.

iPods and iPhones are delicate, electronic devices. As with all electronic devices, they need to be treated with care. If someone dunks one in water why should Apple repair it for free? Bear in mind that repairs cost - and those costs will be recovered by increasing the retail price of the products. Why the **** should I pay for someone else's stupidity/carelessness?

By all means campaign for Apple to waterproof their products. If there is sufficient demand I'm sure Apple will give it serious consideration.

 

[rwilliams]

iPods and iPhones are delicate, electronic devices. As with all electronic devices, they need to be treated with care. If someone dunks one in water why should Apple repair it for free? Bear in mind that repairs cost - and those costs will be recovered by increasing the retail price of the products. Why the **** should I pay for someone else's stupidity/carelessness?

By all means campaign for Apple to waterproof their products. If there is sufficient demand I'm sure Apple will give it serious consideration.

Nice strawman there. I never asked for Apple to waterproof anything. But at least take a look at what's actually wrong with a device instead of shining a little flashlight up into the bottom and instantly assuming that because the strip has changed colors that the defect MUST be water-related. If they can prove that the problem is directly related to water damage, then by all means, refuse service. But their current methods are deeply flawed.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Just more “we thought of it so we’ll patent it just in case” patents, I suspect. Apple does a lot of that.

Keeps 3rd party's from profiting off of sourcing replacement screens for iPhones/iPods like that of CNN (along with fraudelent housings of lesser quality).

I've used CNN in the past for previous phones like SE K850i & Nokia E71 - quality LOOKS great and like the real factory housings/screens - but if its worse quality you'll only know when they crack/scratch or break.

I'm curious how much per quarter Apple looses to iPhone/iPod replacements for users that have dropped theirs into water and got away with undetectable water damage on the outside (by using hair dryers).

Should Apple Inc implement this for tamper proofing internal laptop batteries then its a GOOD thing that will prevent lawsuits from users that purchased replacement internal batteries and had been injured from their misdoings or the 3rd party's misdoings. Sorry to those that do get injured in the future. Note that I said INTERNAL laptop batteries.

 

[Ubuntu]

I don't mind the tampering (so much) as long as it only applies to the iPhone. If I can't upgrade a mac without that risk then that is just stupid. Also, I hope they really do make sure the technology is reliable. I recall my iPod touch dying randomly and Apple claiming it was due to water damage - when it wasn't. In the end they actually did replace it, but it took a long time.

 

[Gradivus]

Nice strawman there. I never asked for Apple to waterproof anything. But at least take a look at what's actually wrong with a device instead of shining a little flashlight up into the bottom and instantly assuming that because the strip has changed colors that the defect MUST be water-related. If they can prove that the problem is directly related to water damage, then by all means, refuse service. But their current methods are deeply flawed.

You have a very good point. I'm pretty sure that (in the UK) Apple will be legally obliged to repair the product if it is a manufacturing fault, regardless of water. As you say, it's their methods that are flawed putting the onus on the customer to prove it wasn't water damage. Again, I'm pretty sure that could be challenged in UK courts.

But I'm not paying for people's carelessness or misuse.

I didn't intend to suggest that you, personally, should ask for waterproofing. But if water is a widespread problem, the collective user base should press Apple to introduce a water resistant model.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Apple's just making it easier for them not to honor your warranty.

That just seems like the easy way out. Let's think about this.

1. Most cellphones are riddled with buttons and multiple part housings, usually seperate from the screen.

2. ANY manufacturers warranty is VOID where the user Drops & Damages their device, water is splashed or submerged into water and touches the electronic internals (which may or may not hamper performance/user experience).

NOTE: Manufacturers have been using a litmus like paper for decades to detect this in PDA's, cellphones, etc.

3. User replaced housing, screen, or internals ALSO voids your warranty.

Now say again how its just APPLE looking for an excuse to not fulfill the warranty?? You need to check every phone you've ever owned and see if my first 2 points above are absolved from warranty voidance.

Just 5 yrs ago people thought internal batteries in iPods was a BAD thing and offered paltry performance = which they where right and won a sweeping class action lawsuit. Bettery battery technology, newer chipsets, better battery life and better products just killed this notion and not its prefered in the portable music player space.

Apple is NOW doing the same to laptop batteries! The acceptance in laptops by owners is MUCH easier now. For the reasons of Better battery performance (full charge cycles), battery life increased (manufacturer claimed by 2hrs), and in-store replacements & under warranty replacements for cheap help things. Not to mention just 2yrs ago EVERY laptop manufacturer where screwed over by having to front the Battery replacement recall cost on their own due to dangers & faulty batteries. Apple is able to avoid a future situation. Should it occur again & only affecting Apple's laptops - then their obligated to replace it without user cost.

acceleration controlled menu's, although cool can have a BAD user experience when activated accidentally. We'll see though. I cannot figure out which device had this already - maybe a feature phone with j2me app.

 

[rjohnstone]

You all do realize that these are merely Patent "Applications".
No Patents have been awarded.

I seriously doubt the tamper tape will get one... not a new or novel concept or idea.

Cable TV converters have had similar protective tape on them for decades.

 

[rwilliams]

You have a very good point. I'm pretty sure that (in the UK) Apple will be legally obliged to repair the product if it is a manufacturing fault, regardless of water. As you say, it's their methods that are flawed putting the onus on the customer to prove it wasn't water damage. Again, I'm pretty sure that could be challenged in UK courts.

But I'm not paying for people's carelessness or misuse.

I didn't intend to suggest that you, personally, should ask for waterproofing. But if water is a widespread problem, the collective user base should press Apple to introduce a water resistant model.

Fair enough, good sir.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

People that open their Apple products don't care that it voids the warranty.

So not true. The warranty doesn't cover any damage I do to my computer, but it does cover poor workmanship. If I upgrade a hard drive, and a year later my fan starts making a noise, there's no reason why my fan's warranty should be voided. I hope this never happens.