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Apple Taking Heat for Switching to Custom Screws on iPhone 4 and Portables

Funny how iFixtit says there's no 'reputable' vendors of pentalobe screwdrivers and then they charge $10 for one that doesn't really fit. How reputable is that?
Pentalobe screwdrivers are available. If you have to get them on eBay from somewhere in China, that doesn't make then disreputable. That's where the iPhone is coming from after all. It's probably shipping from the same supplier who supplies the Foxconn campus..!

This really is a story out of nothing though, just regurgitating PR from iFixit. Most people won't know or care what screws are in their iPhone. If it breaks, they'll take it to a genius bar and walk out with a refurb. People who really want to get in will find a way in.
 
I know, i ain't got no life

But I supposed a little practice in solid works couldn't do any harm!
 

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macus3r said:
This prevents a lot of illegal/unauthorized repairs from happening. It also ensures users are going to the retail stores or authorized repair centers for repair.
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What repairs are "illegal" or "unauthorized" ? You, as the owner, have a right to do whatever you want to your device. Contrary to popular belief, some people don't feel the need to go running to Apple every time they want to fix something.

Whether or not the warranty is voided after opening your device is a different story, but your use of the word "illegal" is completely incorrect.
 
John.B said:
Imagine if only your mechanic could change a tire because some sort of proprietary lugnut was used. Imagine if you actually went out to find a wrench socket that would fit that lugnut so you could do your own work, but the next time you took your car in they changed out the lugnuts to a different type that didn't work with your new lugnut socket.

I bet you'd care at that point.
Click to expand...

How much did you bet?

I hope it wasn't too much. You lost.
 
macus3r said:
This prevents a lot of illegal/unauthorized repairs from happening. It also ensures users are going to the retail stores or authorized repair centers for repair.

For each and every iPhone manufactured, i'm sure apple wants to keep a running record of all and any repairs... illegal repairs do not add to a manufactured unit's service history.

apple wants to build a flawless device. when other people are servicing the product w/o providing the manufacturer a diagnosis and repair history, apple loses this vital information. This information is extremely valuable for any kind of manufacturer.
Click to expand...

There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING illegal about disassembling a device which I purchased and own outright. This mindset in and of itself is oppressive, and I resent it terribly.
 
nothing new

Apple has been doing this forever, the original 128 k mac needed a special tool to open it too. just saying. part of the whole Apple charm.
 
John.B said:
Imagine if only your mechanic could change a tire because some sort of proprietary lugnut was used. Imagine if you actually went out to find a wrench socket that would fit that lugnut so you could do your own work, but the next time you took your car in they changed out the lugnuts to a different type that didn't work with your new lugnut socket.

I bet you'd care at that point.
Click to expand...

Ah... a couple of my vehicles is just like that. Many autos and other electronics use specialty screws to keep the consumer from messing with things they don't want you too. It's common practice and Apple is not inventing anything here.
 
Wow folks are complaining about the screws in the iPhone. Who knew? :confused: Custom fasteners in the iPhone is just Apple's answer to bogus warranty claims & companies claming to be Apple service centers but really aren't. Eventually there will be drivers and bits available so you can take your iphone apart.
 
The only outrage here is because companies like iFixIt are going to have a hard time selling consumer replacement parts and tools.

Moreover, the only way I see this as an issue is if you are swapping your iPhone 4 out of warranty; however, you're probably not going to send it to Apple for repair if it's out of warranty anyway. On the other hand, if you do take it to Apple, you get a 90 day warranty on the replacement you paid for or the remainder of your initial warranty. (Kindly correct me if I'm wrong on this last part.)

Otherwise, if you have an existing on your iPhone 4, you void it if you open it up. Solution? Don't tamper with it.

I really don't see a problem with Apple doing this, sorry. I think this whole "look, I opened up my iPhone and modded it!" ritual appeals to a niche of people who are used to seeing this with other handset makers already.
 
My question is why can't Apple go about this like any other logical company and use regular screwdrivers with "Warranty Void if Removed" stickers? If you're worried about wear, then put the screws under a plate or SOMETHING.

If I don't mind voiding my warranty to do something, then I shouldn't have to take the extra step to buy an obscure screwdriver just to open the damn thing.

Oh, and to all of you who say "Just make your own screwdriver"... Good luck with that. Yes, it's possible, but it's not something any DIY or hacker can do by themselves. Also, iFixit isn't offering a Pentalobe screwdriver, they're offering a cheap way to get the screws out so you can put in Phillips ones. And yes, they sell an actual Pentalobe screwdriver, but that's for the Macbook Air, and it doesn't fit the iPhone 4 screws.

When I buy an iPhone, I pay for the hardware, and a monthly fee for the service. The only part I don't actually own is the service. The hardware is mine, and I should be free to do with it what I will. Apple isn't questioning that, and neither should you. This is a matter of warranty.
 
Fuchal said:
I think the point is: When my phone is out of warranty, I would like the option to replace a part myself, instead of chuck it in the trash and run to the Apple store to buy a new phone.
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Lord Jobs doesn't want you to do that.

The whole thing is totally anti-consumer and should be investigated by the justice department. I've had enough of Apple telling people what they can and cannot do with products THAT ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY THE CONSUMER.

It's my iPhone; I'll do with it whatever I damn please, d-bags in turtlenecks notwithstanding.
 
Thunderhawks said:
Shame on them?

What business is it of anybody to tell Apple what to do?

They don't want people to open their stuff.

For the few technically inclined this is not a problem, (we'll get in there).

For the rest of all the users it's a non issue.
Click to expand...

Their stuff? My iPhone is MY STUFF! Or is there some kind of shrink-wrap clause stating that I'm not purchasing an iDevice but only paying for the right to use it? You are defender #2 :) And it is a non issue of course, the appropriate bits will emerge soon.
 
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jav6454 said:
Apple can do what they please on the device before it gets to my hands. If they want to change something when repairing it, then they have to ask me first before they do it.

That's the point the video makes. The silent changing of the screws without telling people.
Click to expand...

Opening your phone voids the warranty. This is better then a void warranty sticker on the phone...
 
Only in America

I guess you can say that living in America, you have rights and that right also passes onto everything you buy such as the iPhone in which the claim now is you should build a phone in which I can easily take apart because I have purchased it.

These screws are no different than other manufacturers who place custom screws inside their black box to disallow non-approved/non-manufacturer approved technician from working on the device.

I don't even understand why this should be a damn big deal but wait, because you own the device means you can service anything you see fit, right. I see iFixit.com riding on this so they can offer you a toolkit to remove the screws and replace them. This is just so stupid.

Let's say you are a manufacturer and you build a battery component for some device. You put on security screws so people can't open the battery up to do whatever they want to it (aside from the obvious trying to hack it) - because once they open it up, your battery doesn't have any safety measure to prevent some chemical disaster from happening when opened by a non-approved technician. The person opens it up anyway because there is no security screws with a plain - o - screwdriver and hurts themselves. The person then sues you the manufacturer for obscene amounts of money. Game over for your business.

Big deal about this whole ordeal - it's not even an ordeal - apple put in special screws because they manufacture their devices and you as a consumer get to own the phone but you don't get to service it unless you buy special tools - so be it then buy the tools. Oh wait you can't buy the tools because you are not qualified...man, this is so stupid to complain about.

If you gonna crack open the iPhone, you gonna do it no matter what screws they put in..so griping about it on the net making it a big deal is just stupid.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Apple does not use stickers.
 
koruki said:
Why does it take a 4 min video to say the screws have changed??
Click to expand...


Because we all just watched an advertisement. They must be making some mean margin on the “liberation” kit.

The advert obviously worked, seems to be a lot of people reacting emotionally. In all seriousness, if your a person who is likely to work on their own phone, its unlikely that a change in screws will stop you.
 
macus3r said:
This prevents a lot of illegal/unauthorized repairs from happening. It also ensures users are going to the retail stores or authorized repair centers for repair.

For each and every iPhone manufactured, i'm sure apple wants to keep a running record of all and any repairs... illegal repairs do not add to a manufactured unit's service history.

apple wants to build a flawless device. when other people are servicing the product w/o providing the manufacturer a diagnosis and repair history, apple loses this vital information. This information is extremely valuable for any kind of manufacturer.
Click to expand...

...Illegal repairs?? Seriously....?
Your argument is ridiculous, 99.9% of people will take their product to the apple store when it's broken.

If I buy a laptop then it's MINE. and I should be able to open it up and do whatever the hell I want to it, and it would void my warranty, and that's fine with me
 
I bought my IP4 at AT&T in the Philly area about a month ago and it has the new screws. I don't know if other newer purchasers are seeing this as well in the US.
 
spazzcat said:
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

Apple does not use stickers.
Click to expand...

But a different screw type does not do the same as a sticker. If the want to be "innovative", fill the screw with wax. If the wax is broken, warranty is broken.

"Void if Broken" stickers work. Different screw types prolong the opening, but it doesn't stop it, nor does it make it detectable.
 
Thunderhawks said:
Shame on them?

They don't want people to open their stuff.
Click to expand...


While I agree that it won't take long before there's a reasonable solution available, I have to say - once I've paid for the damn thing, it's not theirs anymore.
 
macus3r said:
This prevents a lot of illegal/unauthorized repairs from happening. It also ensures users are going to the retail stores or authorized repair centers for repair.

For each and every iPhone manufactured, i'm sure apple wants to keep a running record of all and any repairs... illegal repairs do not add to a manufactured unit's service history.

apple wants to build a flawless device. when other people are servicing the product w/o providing the manufacturer a diagnosis and repair history, apple loses this vital information. This information is extremely valuable for any kind of manufacturer.
Click to expand...

"illegal/unauthorized repair" are you serious? didn't know I was breaking the law by opening a device I own. I could care less what screws apple uses because frankly I will get into it regardless:D The problem here is the silent switch apple is doing. Is it right? No, but I bet there's fine print somewhere that releases apple's liability.
ohh and btw if it wasn't for people doing these :D "illegal/unauthorized" repairs I wouldn't have been able to replace screens that I have broken (yes i have dropped my iphone. shame on me) for fractions of the price that apple wants.
 
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