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

[317342]

No-one is arguing whether it is YOUR phone--you have every right to break it however you want. However, if you do break it, you do not have a right to take it in for warranty repair.

It only takes a handful of people who mod their phones, break them, take them into the store to ruin it for everyone else.

Also, there are plenty of Apple Certified shops out there who can work on iPhones. iResQ is one that comes to mind and they're excellent. I sent my 3rd Gen 10GB to them a few years ago and it came back in excellent shape.

 

[John.B]

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.

It's one thing to buy an iPhone with specialty screws already installed. It's another to replace standard screws with specialty screws, without telling the customers.

IMO, this is just wrong.

 

[Globe199]

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.

You're implying that the iPhone is welded shut because opening it could cause some harm. Do you really, seriously think that's the reason? Do you really honestly think Apple did this out of a safety concern?

I've got a bridge in Brooklyn that's for sale if you really think that.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

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.

It's only a big deal because the original iPhone didn't use them, but if you take your phone in to get serviced, Apple changes the screws. When you take your car into get repaired, do they change your stereo? When you take your pet to the vet, do they replace his collar? It's no different. Apple's changing your device, post-facto.

 

[ouimetnick]

Anyone else think the girl in the video is kinda cute?

Anyways, I can see Apple wanting to protect their devices from people who don't know what the heck they're doing, what about people who do? I'm sure a lot of people here on MacRumors know how to replace memory, hard drives, etc. on a computer. But for those people who do know what they're doing would probably know how to get the appropriate screwdriver.

So the iPhone 4 my brother purchased is Apples'? If people want to open their stuff up, then they should. I think its a dumb move by Apple. I mean people will figure out how to open them up anyways. But people that take their stuff apart know what they are doing...most of the time.

I find it even more stupid that if I bring MY device I PAID for for repairs, they CHANGE something COMPLETELY UNRELATED to the problem.

Sorry for yelling, but its absurd.

 

[CFreymarc]

Not for security, but for automation

In defense of Apple, everyone is assuming that these new screws are for security and saying "sod off" the mod crowd. This is not the case.

These new screws are mechanically more reliable for high speed, automated assembly than standard Trox screws. Since there are five curved protrusions instead of six sharp protrusions, a "pick and screw" machine can drop the screwdriver tip into screw head for alignment in automated assembly faster than the standard Trox family screws.

When you are building in the millions of units, saving a second here and there in the line is really worth the time to change fastener technology. That is what these new screws do. Also, this design does not give way to a loss in fastening torque like previous curved protrusion screwdrivers in the past due to a new set of lower cost alloys.

If Apple really wanted to say "****** You!" to the mod crowd, they would just need to encase the whole stuffed printed circuit board in an epoxy potting. That will keep people from messing with the board.

 

[Popeye206]

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.

My goodness, you sound like the lady who walked into the fountain while texting. "I'll sue! I'll sue!" LOL!

This is common practice in many industries... it's not just Apple. Go look at a few other devices and I'm sure it won't be long before you find something with an odd screw head. And you can do what you please. Get the screwdriver needed and open it. No one will stop you. You won't be arrested. SJ won't show up at your house and make you wear a turtle neck. It's ok. Really.

 

[iPadThai]

...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 think you got it all wrong - the device is yours and you can do whatever you want with it as long as you have the tools. If you owned an LCD TV and wanted to hack it up to make it some 3D LCD TV because you are a genius, then so do that. But wait it has custom screws that's not the regular screws you have the tool at home to open up - what you gonna do bxtch at LCD TV manufacturer for making it hard for you to open up? Because you have paid $xxxx for it and now you are mad you can't open it up with your $1 screwdriver?

There are safety reasons for many devices that aren't meant for you to so easily tamper with for whatever safety reasons behind putting them in. Sure the iP4 may not be a bomb but seriously, apple made the phone sold it to you and too bad you can't open it because you think you are entitled to do so easily. Just get some tools to hack it open - since nothing can prevent anyone from really trying hard to get into...

 

[Mr. Gates]

Got the right tool for the job. yes. I bleed Sci-Fi.

Is that the thing that takes the prob out of the Governators nose in Total Recall ?

 

[weezer160]

PC Culture

Probably a side effect of PC users who wanted an iPhone for the experience of quality, but haven't become accustomed to true Mac culture (as I know it). We all know they like to open stuff up and tinker for it or make it last longer. Since I know only Apple, I've never had an interest in opening up anything, unless it was 1) meant to opened up for updates/repairs (I'm thinking about my 867Mhz Quicksilver Power Mac), and 2) well... I guess that's it. Let's just be practical, that's the only real reasonable thing to open up without voiding warranty.

Don't you think if these people were nerdy enough (considering they toy with computers and *now* phones), that they would get an upgraded phone and not hold on to something so old? Not to mention the fact that it's so easy to backup all your phone's info on iTunes - just plug in a new iPhone for $200 when your contract is up. Hello, even if a battery is $50, I'd rather have a new phone! If you can afford an iPhone contract and a $50 battery, just save up for a new phone, or :: gulp :: take it in for warranty work. Ok, maybe in an emergency, but that's an unusual case, and most people are not willing to want to tinker with it anyway.

Sounds like a very loud minority of techy people who like to hold on to stuff forever. Doesn't apply to the majority. I'm sure Apple saw this before they even changed the screws.

 

[miles01110]

These new screws are mechanically more reliable for high speed, automated assembly. Since there are five curved protrusions instead of six sharp protrusions, a screw head can drop in faster than the standard Trox family screw driver.

No, this is incorrect. It takes no less time to insert a 5-point head than it does a 6-point head. Perhaps there is some unique cam-out feature of the pentalobular head, but there's no mechanical advantage based on actual physics or science.

 

[malachiman]

In defense of Apple, everyone is assuming that these new screws are for security and saying "sod off" the mod crowd. This is not the case.

These new screws are mechanically more reliable for high speed, automated assembly than standard Trox screws. Since there are five curved protrusions instead of six sharp protrusions, a "pick and screw" machine can drop the screwdriver tip into screw head for alignment in automated assembly faster than the standard Trox family screws.

When you are building in the millions of units, saving a second here and there in the line is really worth the time to change fastener technology. That is what these new screws do. Also, this design does not give way to a loss in fastening torque like previous curved protrusion screwdrivers in the past due to a new set of lower cost alloys.

If Apple really wanted to say "****** You!" to the mod crowd, they would just need to encase the whole stuffed printed circuit board in an epoxy potting. That will keep people from messing with the board.

I had thoughts that it was more for a manufacturing advantage, but I don’t know enough about the topic. It does make sense to me.

 

[iPadThai]

It's only a big deal because the original iPhone didn't use them, but if you take your phone in to get serviced, Apple changes the screws. When you take your car into get repaired, do they change your stereo? When you take your pet to the vet, do they replace his collar? It's no different. Apple's changing your device, post-facto.

What's the big deal? So they change it out and if you are whining about wanting to do some hacking to your phone by opening it up, then don't bring it into the repair shop - the shop that is part of the company that MADE your device.

It's not about the screws - it's about Apple and how so many of you complainers like to scratch at because you think they are too controlling. Don't use the iPhone then...don't buy an apple product if their screw changes bugs you. They have put in special screws in their laptops as well. Sure they aren't pentalobular - but they are non-standard over the counter screws either.

If I bring my car in for servicing the stereo - that means I don't know enough to service my own stereo so what is the point of having special screws or not? These aren't even SECURITY SCREWS.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Oh hey, pentalobes on mine too, check that out. I actually bought this phone in Late October but had it replaced in late November due to some syncing issues, so they've been doing it for quite some time apparently.

 

[Erwin-Br]

Even though it's a non-issue for most people, I do have to say that the idea is pretty disturbing. Think about it. Apple is investing money in manufacturing their own custom screws and screwdrivers to make it a bit harder for people to open their devices. And if that's not disturbing enough, they're shipping these custom screws to repair centers and instructing employees to switch them on existing devices turned in for repair.

All this trouble for what?

 

[Tilpots]

So that $3.9 Billion wasn't LCD's after all. Screws, a multi-billion dollar investment in screws.

 

[ouimetnick]

No-one is arguing whether it is YOUR phone--you have every right to break it however you want. However, if you do break it, you do not have a right to take it in for warranty repair.

It only takes a handful of people who mod their phones, break them, take them into the store to ruin it for everyone else.

Also, there are plenty of Apple Certified shops out there who can work on iPhones. iResQ is one that comes to mind and they're excellent. I sent my 3rd Gen 10GB to them a few years ago and it came back in excellent shape.

I brought my iPod touch 4th gen in after I broke the glass by accident. Told them what happened, and how upset I was that a handheld device couldn't with stand a 3 foot drop on to hardwood, and how I just paid $299 for it several months ago. They made an exception and covered it. FREE!

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.

Can't we always melt a candle and fix that problem?

 

[Fuchal]

And if i have broken my £500 phone with water damage - it would be super sweet if if could spend a tenner and cheat my way to get a new phone.

Wouldn't it be "super sweet" if I could buy a logic board and replace the darn thing myself without having to special order expensive screwdrivers?

 

[exigentsky]

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.

LOL, are you really THIS deluded? It's about money, pure and simple. Apple controls everything and you have no choice but to pay the higher price.

 

[macgreiner]

I thought they were pentalobe screws? Where'd pentobular come from? Wouldn't the descriptive be pentalobular?

 

[iPhysicist]

She is adorable but wrong in her saying. If I want to gain access to a certain piece of device I do not have to have a screwdriver - I also could drill out the screws with with some toys we have in our laboratory.

But wouldn't this void the warranty? What is the difference to a screwdriver in the wrong hands? What can you actually repair yourself? Its plain stupid to open a device without reason and if something is broken I would ask Apple first. Only if it is out of warranty for more than a year I would think about fixing it by myself. But again I would ask Apple first.

But this girl is hypnotic. (If you read this - MJ your beautiful but still wrong with your saying.)

 

[iPadThai]

You're implying that the iPhone is welded shut because opening it could cause some harm. Do you really, seriously think that's the reason? Do you really honestly think Apple did this out of a safety concern?

I've got a bridge in Brooklyn that's for sale if you really think that.

YOU know for a fact why you are even bringing this up as an issue. I suggest the brooklyn bridge for you to jump off of if you have nothing better in life to do than to complain about a special screw the makers of your device put in for whatever the reason - because you think you are entitled to do whatever you want to it because you have the rights.

Next time buy a phone based on the fact it is easily openable and hackable. Good grief some of you people are just typical american rights activists...

 

[kyeblue]

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.

what is exactly "illegal" repair besides voiding the warrantee? I am willing to take Apple all the way to the supreme court if they say that it is illegal for me to repair my notebook or iphone by me or anyone I pick.

 

[CFreymarc]

No, this is incorrect. It takes no less time to insert a 5-point head than it does a 6-point head. Perhaps there is some unique cam-out feature of the pentalobular head, but there's no mechanical advantage based on actual physics or science.

Yes there is. You are working with old alloy friction statistics that cannot be applied to these new fastener technologies. I doubt you have been around a million unit, consumer run. That is a totally different set of economics where physics takes a backseat to efficiency.

There are several papers published by electronics assembly automation groups that are quite pricey to access. I stand by my statement.

 

[litmag01]

Unbelievably Misleading!!!!!!!!!!

Torx screws are simply better screws! They are less likely to strip, and as their name implies, provide much better torque control in pressure critical applications.

My suggestion: if you really want to open any electronic device, go buy the right ********** tool for the job.