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Apple Taking Heat for Switching to Custom Screws on iPhone 4 and Portables
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The device's warranty and your cell service are different animals. AT&T, once I've bought my iPhone and signed the new 2 year contract, doesn't really care what device my sim card ends up in. They don't care if I want to upgrade the devices storage, change out a broken screen, etc. It's my *device*, I'm just paying for service from them. They do not own my device because of the contract, they never did. Hell, my apple warranty ends before my att contract does...
If you void the warranty on an item all it means is that the manufacturer has been let out of the responsibility of repairing it in the future.
Unless the item is leased, which is what i think you're confusing cell service contracts with, I'm damn well free to void the warranty if I want (even with leases it depends on the contract for ex. some rented apartments let you modify walls or drill for cable runs, some don't, etc).
I can quite legally modify the device any way I choose if I don't care about the warranty like putting a new, higher-res display on my MBP, or a newer processor in my Mac Mini, or, yes, replacing the damn battery in my iphone!
And yes, it is a protected right, based on property rights.
I have a T-shirt that says "I void warranties" for a reason
.(oh, and it seems to me that the controversy here isn't so much that they are shipping phones with the new screws as that they are replacing existing screws with the new ones during repairs)
Now this is going to far. I don't go around opening my devices all the time but lets say I wanted to. I purchased it, it's mines to do what ever I want. As long as the owner understands it will void the warranty if you tamper with it. I don't see whats the problem
That's what I was referring to in my previous post. I have an iPhone 4 now, but have had them going back to the original in 2007, and I've never had Apple actually "repair" mine; they always just switch it out for a refurbished one in front of me, and in this case, that means that it would have the new screws. Do people expect Apple to take the screws out of your old phone and put them in the new one just to preserve their Phillips legacy?
Apple is a company. They want to make money. End.
This is not evil, this does not make them overlords or demon-beasts or whatever else you want to call them (go buy an Android phone with a removable battery if it's THAT big of a deal, THAT will stick it to Apple a whole lot more than buying a screwdriver, go to the competition if this 'practice' is SO unfair)
Apple doesn't care about in-warranty repair, they know that their products fail a certain number of times (it's inevitable, nobody is perfect) and are happy to repair it. (I have NEVER had such a pleasant warranty experience as I have had with Apple.) Out of warranty repairs, including physical damage, like someone mentioned, is a cash-flow item for Apple, like the App Store. They want your money, guess what, that's why they are a corporation, not a free health clinic in Malawi.
If you expect anything else, your wrong, plain and simple. These screwdrivers are NOT $20, they can be had for around $5, if it specifically says 'iPhone 4' it will cost $20+, only because some people lack the technical ability to search for anything other than 'iPhone 4 screw taker-offer', food for the sharks. They are probably going to damage their phones anyway trying a repair.
Apple wants you to take it to them and let them fix it, for a fee, also not unreasonable. This screw just bridges the gap and helps them make more money. If you think that's wrong, don't take your phone to Apple for repair. Capitalism works on a Supple and Demand system, meaning if a Company does something you find is wrong, do not patronize them. If enough people don't, the decision will change. If this system were not true, then we would all have massive brick phones with black and white multi-line displays, no service, no battery life, and that's if we had cellphones at all. (If companies worked like these 'journalists' think they do, and force their poor customers to buy stuff they don't want, then there would be no need for innovation to entice the customer to buy their product instead of someone elses.)
This is not evil, this does not make them overlords or demon-beasts or whatever else you want to call them (go buy an Android phone with a removable battery if it's THAT big of a deal, THAT will stick it to Apple a whole lot more than buying a screwdriver, go to the competition if this 'practice' is SO unfair)
Apple doesn't care about in-warranty repair, they know that their products fail a certain number of times (it's inevitable, nobody is perfect) and are happy to repair it. (I have NEVER had such a pleasant warranty experience as I have had with Apple.) Out of warranty repairs, including physical damage, like someone mentioned, is a cash-flow item for Apple, like the App Store. They want your money, guess what, that's why they are a corporation, not a free health clinic in Malawi.
If you expect anything else, your wrong, plain and simple. These screwdrivers are NOT $20, they can be had for around $5, if it specifically says 'iPhone 4' it will cost $20+, only because some people lack the technical ability to search for anything other than 'iPhone 4 screw taker-offer', food for the sharks. They are probably going to damage their phones anyway trying a repair.
Apple wants you to take it to them and let them fix it, for a fee, also not unreasonable. This screw just bridges the gap and helps them make more money. If you think that's wrong, don't take your phone to Apple for repair. Capitalism works on a Supple and Demand system, meaning if a Company does something you find is wrong, do not patronize them. If enough people don't, the decision will change. If this system were not true, then we would all have massive brick phones with black and white multi-line displays, no service, no battery life, and that's if we had cellphones at all. (If companies worked like these 'journalists' think they do, and force their poor customers to buy stuff they don't want, then there would be no need for innovation to entice the customer to buy their product instead of someone elses.)
Are you guys watching the interview on CNBC's "Closing Bell" right now discussing this issue with iFixit's CEO? It's already made it this far in the public eye. Wow.
In some ways I'm tempted to answer "yes" in this case. While it doesn't effect 99% of Apple's user base very much there are people who, though they haven't voided the warranty and thus can have Apple repair their device, are expecting to tinker with their phones once the warranty is up - and Apple is not giving them back an equivalent device with which to do so, perhaps damaging the value of the device to the consumer who bought it with the future intention of modifying it, rather like Sony killing Other OS in the PS3.
Now honestly it's a rather minor problem, and getting screwdrivers for the new screw a minor pain, but it is a valid complaint, and a valid (if not really all that important, since one can get a new screwdriver) reason for people to expect Apple to "preserve the Phillips legacy"
Advert
This is a great way to drive the exact customers this company needs to buy their 'liberation kit'.
It is a pretty innovative marketing initiative.
It was no accident they got the pretty girl to do the talking too...
This is a great way to drive the exact customers this company needs to buy their 'liberation kit'.
It is a pretty innovative marketing initiative.
It was no accident they got the pretty girl to do the talking too...
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
the girl in the video - first thing that came to my mind - is she wearing braces? then second thing - sort of nerdy looking - nothing a good makeover to turn things around though
No buddy, you screw yourself for buying apple products. If you don't like them don't buy them.
what are you saying ?
I'm just surprise ifixit made a video about this "liberation" kit, when you can buy the exact screwdriver with spare screw for $5 Link i'm in no way affiliated with that site, only a happy customer (made 2 purchases, and delivered on time)
didn't read the whole thread, but my argument in why I want to open the phone cause of two things :
1. changing the backplate, cause it looks cool
2. change the battery when it's gone kaput, cause i'm waiting for iphone 6 to come, and skip iphone 5
You're just saying that iFix it wants to make money, and thats what it really is. They make it seem like it's this impossible solution that only they have the answer to.
I'm surprised that Apple would use a special screw just to keep users from opening up their devices. First, it creates an additional tool that must be around the Apple store and second, it assumes that there won't be dozens available on the Internet within a few weeks.
I'm wondering if there's any advantage to the pentalobe screw (which as I type should either be a drink or a modern kama sutra position), such as the screw is less likely to strip or is stronger in some way.
Also, yes the girl is cute, first thing I noticed.
I'm wondering if there's any advantage to the pentalobe screw (which as I type should either be a drink or a modern kama sutra position), such as the screw is less likely to strip or is stronger in some way.
Also, yes the girl is cute, first thing I noticed.
I agree. People should not buy Apple products. The company is weird. The products are inferior.
They could be using break off head bolts like Ford has been using on their ignition modules since the 70's (funny nobody called them evil overlords.) Basically, once it's tight, the hex head literally breaks off, your left with, well, nothing. You have to drill it out if you want it out.
I used to have a cellphone that used just those, the only way to open it, was drill it out. It was an early HTC PocketPC phone. HTC was also not called a monster.
Funny how that works.
-John
I used to have a cellphone that used just those, the only way to open it, was drill it out. It was an early HTC PocketPC phone. HTC was also not called a monster.
Funny how that works.
-John
And now people are starting to laugh at Apple
Quote from the spec list for new Toshiba tablet: "Battery Replaceable? Yep. By screwdriver-savvy people, like you."
Quote from the spec list for new Toshiba tablet: "Battery Replaceable? Yep. By screwdriver-savvy people, like you."
Bleah, rubbish opinionated video to sell paranoid people a 9,95 screw set.
So they replace old screws with new ones, you do go to Apple for repairs already so why should it matter? Can't imagine anyone with a life actual cares about this.
Philip screws: 20 cents, screwdriver for opening the apple screws: 2 dollars. wtf do we need a 10$ liberation package?
So they replace old screws with new ones, you do go to Apple for repairs already so why should it matter? Can't imagine anyone with a life actual cares about this.
Philip screws: 20 cents, screwdriver for opening the apple screws: 2 dollars. wtf do we need a 10$ liberation package?
People like to change the back panel for one that looks nicer, or because it can scratch quite easily. Considering the iPhone is one of few phones that doesn't even have an easy-to-open back panel (i.e. one that just slots off without screws) this is even worse.
If I take my iPhone in for repairs and I get it back with these screws I'll be demanding that they give me another model, as its just sneaky and poor practise. There is no benefit for me, the consumer, having these new screws on the iPhone, especially when I've already paid for it.
You don't get it. Apple is the only one who regularly does this sort of thing. THAT is why you don't ever hear it with anyone else! When have you ever heard of Chrysler using non-standard bolts in their engine or Sony using non-standard screws in their plasma tv??? You don't hear it because it doesn't happen! In other words, why don't you try using real world examples to make your point next time instead of just making crap up???
Then why for goodness sake are you posting your reply if you don't think it's worth arguing over??? Again, you don't seem to comprehend the rules of the game when it comes to making an online argument. You cannot make an argument and then say it's not worth arguing. That destroys your own argument and renders it worthless by default. You cannot compare something to someone else's product that doesn't exist or simply doesn't do the things you claim it does when making the comparison as it's 100% invalidated by the fact it's just plain wrong. In short, your arguments are nonsense and so are your points.
People have a right to complain about companies that do things that are contrary to their good. Yes, they can buy other products, but it's fair to say that screw types are a pretty small factor in a buying decision based on the needs of a consumer. That doesn't make it good that Apple chooses to constantly either dumb down or non-standardize their products. I don't like that iTunes won't allow AVI files, for example since it means I have to convert (and therefore lose quality) to play my camera's video files (let alone Internet content). But am I going to throw out my Apple TV for that reason alone? I could, but look at the competition's interfaces and reliability issues (e.g. Boxee box) and the fact that if I have an iPhone or iPod Touch, I have to use iTunes anyway even if I use something else as a daily viewer.
In short, people complaining because it's a HASSLE (let alone an expense) to buy a new screwdriver every other year for no reason other than Apple is purposely and vindictively trying to keep you from doing things you have a right to do like change your own battery on a device you OWN. Apple knows they have no legal or moral right to tell you that you cannot open the device (other than to void their warranty) so they just make life difficult for you instead. I'm half surprised their devices aren't wired with a booby trap to destroy the device if it's not opened in a precise order or something.... Give them time. They'll do it.
Yes, their stuff.
When they produce it it ships the way they make it.
Their specs, their design etc.
Once you buy it it's your stuff and you can do with it whatever you want, but within the guidelines of apple care (if you have it) or warranty.
It's a non issue for probably 99.9% of iphone users.