Apple will give its users the opportunity to repair their smartphones and some computers, an unexpected concession from the technology giant known for its very closed ecosystem of devices and software.
The online store, called “Self Service Repair,” will buy more than 200 spare parts and useful tools for the most common problems of the latest iPhone lines (12 and 13), such as a faulty battery or screen,’ the statement followed.
The Apple brand has long restricted repairs to its technicians in its stores — over the counters called “genius bars” — and some authorized dealers, but wait times and prices are generally high.
This feature of Apple and allegations of planned obsolescence regularly earn criticism about the durability of its devices.
“We didn’t think we’d see it one day,” reacted on Twitter to iFixit, a website that bills itself as a guide to repairing items of all kinds.
What Apple is offering isn’t perfect, but we’re glad they’re finally accepting what we’ve always known: Everyone is smart enough to fix an iPhone.
The new service will launch in the United States in early 2022, before expanding to other countries later in the year, and will soon include computers equipped with the M1 chip manufactured by Apple, in addition to smartphones.
“Customers are thus joined by more than 5,000 authorized suppliers and 2,800 independent repairmen who have access to spare parts, tools and manuals”, specifies the California group.
“Over the past three years, we have nearly doubled the number of locations that (this) reach,” said Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, quoted in the statement.
The decision comes as Apple is regularly criticized by companies and executives for too closely controlling its physical and intangible ecosystems. Compatibility issues with devices from other brands, for example, strongly encourage consumers to stay in the apple world.
And on the iPhone, Apple’s operating system closely monitors third-party mobile applications that have to go through the App Store (download platform).
