Posted on 10/13/2017 7:22:56 PM PDT by markomalley
The release notes for iOS 11.0.3an iPhone operating system update pushed to customers Thursdaycomes with a not-so-subtle warning: Don't get your phone fixed by anyone who isn't Apple.
The update fixes a few bugs, namely one that caused a loss of touch functionality on a small subset of phones that had been repaired with certain third-party screens and had been updated to iOS 11.
"Addresses an issue where touch input was unresponsive on some iPhone 6S displays because they were not serviced with genuine Apple parts," the update reads. "Note: Non-genuine replacement displays may have compromised visual quality and may fail to work correctly. Apple-certified screen repairs are performed by trusted experts who use genuine Apple parts. See support.apple.com for more information."
This is a reminder that Apple seems to have the ability to push out software updates that can kill hardware and replacement parts it did not sell iPhone customers itself, and that it can fix those same issues remotely.
This message is the latest salvo in an ongoing cold war between Apple and the independent repair world. Apple will only sell official parts to "authorized" repair providersa program that costs money to join and limits the types of repair that companies are allowed to do. And so independent repair stores have long turned to the grey market, which is made up of largely of Chinese suppliers. Third-party screens do vary in qualitysome are just as good as Apple's original parts (many are made in the same factories, according to people in the repair business)while others are indeed inferior. Replacement screens are also purchased from electronics recyclers and LCD refurbishers.
Though replacement screens vary in quality, most repair shops do their best to get parts that are just as good as the ones Apple uses (there are several Facebook groups where repair pros name and shame bad suppliers).
The point is, you should be able to go to an independent repair shop to get your iPhone fixed if you want to. They're often cheaper and faster than going to the Apple Store.
So let's consider what actually happened here. iPhones that had been repaired and were in perfect working order suddenly stopped working after Apple updated its software. Apple was then able to fix the problem remotely. Apple then put out a warning blaming the parts that were used to do the repair. Poofphone doesn't work. Poofphone works again.
In this case, not all phones that used third party parts were affected, and there's no reason to think that, in this case, Apple broke these particular phones on purpose. But there is currently nothing stopping the company from using software to control unauthorized repair: For instance, you cannot replace the home button on an iPhone 7 without Apple's proprietary "Horizon Machine" that re-syncs a new home button with the repaired phone.
This software update is concerning because it not only undermines the reputation of independent repair among Apple customers, but because it shows that phones that don't use "genuine" parts could potentially one day be bricked remotely.
A scare like this happened last year. "Error 53" bricked many iPhones that had third party screen replacements. After widespread consumer outrage, Apple fixed the bug. It's because of situations like this that activists are lobbying states to pass "Right to Repair" laws, which would require Apple and other electronics companies to sell official replacement parts to the masses, and would prevent software locks that could make phones unusable because they include third-party parts. Apple is lobbying against those efforts.
I agreed to a recent upgrade of an Apple phone.
Never again.
Totally different operating system. Had to learn many commands over again.
Screwed up access to the web. Have to put in password everytme,and certify the same computer over and over and over.
Big mistake.
Doesn’t that constitute destruction of property?
Apple has the right to do what they wish with “their” iPhones.
After all, those devices are merely being “rented” out to consumers at a price of $500-1000 per year.
People are only paying for the right to use Apple devices. Same with their music platform and apps and storage. You don’t get to “own” anything from Apple.
Arthur Fonzarelli was GOD once.
Then he jumped the shark.
I updated yesterday - now it’s much slower ...
This should be illegal.
If my phone is out of AppleCare Warranty, and needs repair, I should
be able to take it to a repair shop of my choosing. I purchased the phone.
it belongs to me.
Nothing Apple, ever.
Apple may be one or two steps behind when it comes to rebranding the technological innovations that others have come up with... but they most definitely are a corporate innovator. They are always pushing the limits of what a corporation can get away with.
Evading taxes, hiding profits off shore, frivolous lawsuits suing others for making phones that are rectangular with rounded corners, etc... etc... they are close to the leading edge on these types of areas, but this is certainly a shining example that demonstrates that they don’t steal every idea from other corporations. Congratulations Apple, screwing people who have purchased your products with OS updates... I thought that Microsoft was the leader in this type of behavior, but targeting devices repaired by “unauthorized repair centers” that are not paying Apple extortion fees... It is a brilliant twist!!! I hope that Apples army of lawyers will sue other corporations who try to copy this innovation.
People buy Apple because they don’t understand anything about the technology and don’t want to learn, they just want all their stuff to work. So they have to play by Apples rules. They own the game.
Apple is a software company with a hardware delivery model. That’s why they support old iPhones with updates long after older Androids are long forgotten. Selling you music, videos and apps is a big business, so it’s in their interest to have as many working iPhones out in the wild and have them secured from jailbreaking, which costs them money, and nefarious hackers, who present their own form of business risks.
Of course, it’s also in their interest to sell you new $1000 phones and accessories. That’s why their batteries are sealed, headphone jacks are removed and have a proprietary charging port. That’s also why they don’t want you going to cheaper shops for repairs.
So, for my next smart phone, should I get a galaxcy note 8 or what?! Which mobster company is better than Apple?! Or,Which smart phone company is not a bunch of crooks?
Lets take that thought and run with it
your phone, repair it how you like. So you repair a security enclave component, say the thumbprint scanner with a Chinese knock-off. Its half price, and just 2 weeks later your thumb print and Visa card are on the net.
Who do you blame? Why, naturally its that damn Apple, right? You saved a few bucks and Apple takes hundreds of Millions in lost revenue because they are forced to support bogus components.
Sorry, some things are secure and some things are not. Buy anyones battery. Buy anyones screen and microphone. Buy anyones camera. But if its a security enclave component you have little choice; because if you are vulnerable then I am vulnerable.
Depends upon what you want.
Both phones will serve you well.
If you want to KNOW that your financial, personal and business information is kept confidential then your only choice is Apple.
I've had very good luck with Blu. My current one is the BLU Life One X2 Mini.
64 GB onboard storage (also supports external micro-SD)
4 GB RAM
8 core processor
Supports LTE (including band 12 LTE)
Dual SIM
etc.
The key advantage is the price: normally $179. (much better than $800-$900 for an iphone 8 or $600-$700 for a Samsung Galaxy S8+)
Homo Tim Cook is your basic corporate thug. With unlimited access to lawyers, we will always lose to them.
Thats the ultimate question isnt it? Its easy to say Apple sucks, its an evil company etc (which believe me I dont completely disagree with such assertions), but whats better?
Samsung that sells exploding batteries?
Google that sells/maintains an OS that cant be/isnt updated regularly across the myriad of third party devices that run it? And its own phone that wont receive updates a year past the purchase date?
Windows/Microsoft that cant make a smartphone that can run any app?
Ultimately Ive become convinced that if Im going to use a smartphone (and Im so dependent on it now its not feasible to believe otherwise) Im going to have to keep using Apple. Mainly for security concerns.
But I sure as heck dont like it, not one bit, believe me. I had the worst experience earlier this year with AppleCare Plus, the Genius Bar and their phone tech service. An experience so bad it would make your toes curl. But no one can beat an iPhone (that works). Just pray it never breaks down thats all I can say. Cuz youll be screwed trust me.
Yep. Wont be renting their products anymore.
ping
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