What They Say
We have been following the Apple repair topic and now the firm has said that it will have a ‘Self Service Repair’ programme that will allow some repairs to devices at home. Users will be able to access the tools and instructions used at the Apple Store ‘Genius Bar’. The manuals will be in text format (so expect thousands of YouTubers showing them in video form).
The programme will launch in 2022 in the US and for the iPhone 12 and 13 and will be centred on display, battery and camera fixes.No prices are available, yet and around 200 parts and tools will be part of the programme. Some credit will be available for users sending back the replaced components for recycling.
As for the authorised service partner scheme, parts will be available for seven years after product launch.
What We Think
This is something of a triumph for ‘Right to Repair’ activists and will put companies that are less thoughtful than Apple under pressure. I must admit, I have been thinking of getting an iPad for use in music applications. The possibility of keeping it going a while really makes the product (which would be my first Apple product purchase since the ’80s) more attractive – or, perhaps, less unattractive. Having said that, at the moment, I haven’t seen anything that makes it clear that iPads will be included. (BR)
