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U.S. President Joe Biden to Direct FTC to Draft Right to Repair Rules

jav6454 said:
Even with OEM parts available, people always go cheapest route possible when it comes to repair. It's not usual for your average user to request OEM part only. They usually shop around for the cheapest solution.
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That’s on the end user though. I do not compromise on safety with batteries, chargers, automotive suspension components, tires, etc. I don’t have anything except genuine Apple chargers in my home for example. Had I not been able to have my MacBook Pro battery (and topcase) replaced by Apple, I would have sold the computer (or lived with it until I upgrade)
 
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The industries affected always have enough lobbyists that they end up effectively writing their own legislation in. They wont address the ability for repair shops to purchase and replace the chips that go on a motherboard to repair simple hardware malfunctions that brick a device. What is more plausible is that the Gov will pay rich tech companies a subsidy to help cover repair costs or some ridiculous thing like that. Just watch.
 
We'll see if this is worth the paper it is written on. It is often the case that companies lobby for federal rules that are so watered down they don't have any value as a way to preempt stronger state laws.
 
Stevez67 said:
Not likely. Fixit shops specialize in lower-cost repair bills and the higher cost of OEM parts eats into that advantage.
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A properly written Right to Repair bill would force companies to be reasonable with pricing. If Apple charges $70 for an iPhone battery replacement service, Apple should sell the genuine battery for $40. If they charge $59 for a battery, why wouldn’t one spend $10 more to have the “genius” do it for them?
 
MacRumors said:
Repair shops have complained that Apple's program is too limited as it requires an Apple-certified technician to perform the repairs (available under a free program), and some parts are not provided to independent repair shops.
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Anyone who has worked in a computer repair shop know how it's supposed to be, but that's not how it actually works. Apple can't tell if the guy who did the repair is Apple-certified or not unless it's a single worker shop. Way back when, when I was the only tech to pass all 3 Apple-certification tests (laptop hardware, desktop hardware, software) we had 3 techs who did Apple repairs. Some of these indy shops will having 1 Apple-certified tech qualifies, but that doesn't mean every tech in the shop knows what he's doing.
 
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ouimetnick said:
That’s on the end user though. I do not compromise on safety with batteries, chargers, automotive suspension components, tires, etc. I don’t have anything except genuine Apple chargers in my home for example. Had I not been able to have my MacBook Pro battery (and topcase) replaced by Apple, I would have sold the computer (or lived with it until I upgrade)
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Usually, some don't; others will disagree and just go with cheapest route.
 
Apple will hire a bunch of high-end lobbyists, and lobby the government hell out of it so that the regulations would be written in favor of Apple. Winners(Apple, lobbyists, gov't and major stockholders) vs. Losers (consumers)
 
Apple to announce a new "right-to-repair" iPhone.....
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Stevez67 said:
Not likely. Fixit shops specialize in lower-cost repair bills and the higher cost of OEM parts eats into that advantage.
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The repair shop doesn't have the option of ordering an OEM battery.

Right now, it's either high or low cost repair. The consumer don't have a middle option.
 
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Amazing how much they want to punish successful companies and their reasons for success. How long will it be before they find some company is installing special chips that remove security and get your data transmitted to the whole world. Be an failure and the government will force the good companies to make you profitable.
 
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I defy anyone to coherently define what a “repairable” design is. Thinking that politicians and bureaucrats are capable of defining the concept is a fools errand. Pursuing this pipe dream is clear evidence that politicians should have no part in supply side product development. Whoever is running policy in the West Wing has clearly never been involved with electronics product development. It’s a domain far better left for demand to decide and precisely what politicians and lawyers should never engage in.
 
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JPack said:
Why make rules for 10% of the population when 90% of batteries don't have problems?

  • What if the charger overheats and causes a fire?
  • What if the USB cable shorts and destroys the device?
  • What if someone opens up the phone and chews on the battery?
  • What if...
We don't need rules to protect against every possible outcome.
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False facts. Every battery fails during the life of current Apple products (If you use them daily). Sure you may upgrade before it does, but the battery always fails before the device is unusable. The same happens to the SSD, but at a slower rate for normal users.

Parts that get used up over relatively short time frames (2 to 10 years) should be replaceable. This includes both batteries and SSDs. Anyone that has any concern for the environment and landfill waste, would support this level of repairability.
 
moabal said:
I am not a fan of Joe Biden. However, if this is what it sounds like, I would be happy (Louis Rossmann too I imagine). However, any final regulation/law would probably be mucked up a little if it gets that far.

Edit: LOL people disliking this because I am not a fan of Joe Biden. Do not read too much into this.
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How do you know it's because of your stance on Joe Biden?
 
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This is very welcome news. We will have to wait and see how far (or not) the Final Rule goes in terms of giving us rights. Good to see America stand up to Apple.

Next up please: Open Up The Location(s) of Where We Can Purchase Apps!
 
I worked (many years ago, pre iPhone) at Apple's Refurb dept. Fyi, "repair" even there was module replacement in virtually everything. Cosmetic or electronic, it was replaced at the smallest component module or smallest assembly level(sometimes that wasn't that small). What determines the smallest level is the manufacturing process. Word to the wise, firsthand: You do not want repair below the smallest component or assembly level. Further, and I see this in my new work, repair at "certified" often will be to ship it back to the manufacturer. The shops get a volume discount from manufacturers. MFG repair is virtually always best.

You can right now if you want take it to Bob's repair. How good Bob's repair does is ???. Getting spare parts is always possible if the product has been around long enough. IMHO you're crazy to have Bob's Repair work on a smartphone that is 2 or 3 years old but a 6 or 7 year old device? Might be worth taking some risk for a discount. If nothing else Bob can get parts from the graveyard of the model.

Is "right to repair" directing that the smallest component module assembly level parts be made available to Bob's Repair/non certified? Interesting question. IMHO for a smartphone I think you're crazy with that particular device but that IMHO. But in general if assembly level parts are made for sale to non certified, cheaper repair is going to be very possible. Quality will be an unknown, a roll of the dice, but certainly there will be hit and miss (as is always the case). But if new regulations state manufacturing changes to make component/assembly level smaller? GTFO with that. A company chooses that design.
 
A bit mixed on this one - personally I'll take the cost hit and use Apple where possible, but I believe there are other people who may prefer to use a third-party, lower-priced option. Where I'm annoyed though is that there are so many issues that need addressing at the federal level, I don't understand why the President is giving attention to this issue.
 
Mousse said:
Anyone who has worked in a computer repair shop know how it's supposed to be, but that's not how it actually works. Apple can't tell if the guy who did the repair is Apple-certified or not unless it's a single worker shop. Way back when, when I was the only tech to pass all 3 Apple-certification tests (laptop hardware, desktop hardware, software) we had 3 techs who did Apple repairs. Some of these indy shops will having 1 Apple-certified tech qualifies, but that doesn't mean every tech in the shop knows what he's doing.
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Just like auto shops, a shop that my brother worked at decades ago had some "mechanic" knock a car off the lift
 
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