Apple’s Service History Feature Makes Some Right-to-Repair Experts Nervous
Is Apple’s right to repair honeymoon coming to an end?
Important consequences
- iOS 15.2 allows users to view their iPhone’s service history.
- This feature marks all non-Apple parts as “Unknown”.
- Repair advocates worry that Apple is using this feature to monopolize the aftermarket.
Guido Mieth/Getty Images
Starting with iOS 15.2, Apple will allow users to check if the components of their repaired iPhone are genuine. However, the move has not gone down well with right-to-repair advocates.
In addition to the Parts and Service History feature, which marks a replaced part, Apple will also label replaced components. A “Genuine Apple Part” label will appear next to components sold by Apple, all other third-party components or those used or defective on other iPhones will receive an “Unknown Part” label.
“I think progress is now being made in the ability to repair Apple devices outside of its ecosystem (third-party resellers can repair with parts provided by Apple, which was not possible before),” Max Schulze said. . The executive director of the Alliance for Sustainable Digital Infrastructure told Lifewire via email.
change of mind
Contrary to its previous stance, Apple said it will not artificially interfere with the user’s ability to use the device, whether or not original components power the device.
“These messages do not affect your ability to use your iPhone, battery, screen, or camera,” Apple said in its support document, adding that the information is “used for service purposes only. safety analysis and improvement of future products”. ”
“I think the progress that has been made in being able to repair Apple devices now outside of its own ecosystem is admirable.”
The move comes after Apple softened its stance on placing artificial limits on users’ ability to power their devices with non-genuine components. More recently, backlash from the repair rights community led Apple to announce plans to disable FaceID on the iPhone 13 if the phone’s screen is replaced without Apple-certified tools and components.
The backlash led Apple to change tack, saying it would only notify customers when the device detects it is running non-genuine components, rather than disabling the feature. The new Parts and Service History feature in iOS 15.2 stems from that assurance.
under the hood
According to Apple’s support document for the new feature, the Parts and Service History section will only be available on devices whose factory-installed components have been replaced.
iOS 15.2 users on these devices can go to Settings > General > About to view the device’s service history.
Apple
Apple says the feature will output different information for tracked components based on the “iPhone” model. For example, owners of iPhone® XR, XS, XS Max and later, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation), will be able to see if their phone’s battery has been replaced.
On the other hand, iPhone 11 users will be able to understand if the screen has been replaced as well as the battery. Finally, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users will receive replacement information even if the battery, screen and even the camera are changed.
irresponsible messaging
Right to repair advocates like Schulze have praised the new feature and appreciated the level of transparency. However, what pisses some off is the message that labels all non-original tracks as “unknown,” regardless of their abilities.
“Looks like @Apple’s embrace of #RightToRepair was short-lived. The latest #iOS update marks non-Apple parts as ‘unknown’ – the same label used to describe ‘possibly defective’ parts. Improve Cupertino Owners parts should have a choice on wrote SecuRepairs on TwitterHe added that while the benefit of the feature to users is questionable, it would certainly help Apple have a monopoly on aftermarket parts.
cyano66/Getty Images
SecuRepairs isn’t alone in thinking the messaging supports the idea that only genuine Apple parts are acceptable, and that this will negatively impact reputable aftermarket vendors like iFixit.
“You are right [the messaging] it devalues and cuts off third-party vendors from partners and does nothing to open up the market for those third-party parts,” says Schulze.
The polyphonic Right to Repair ecosystem has begun to highlight the sinister effects of messaging. However, it remains to be seen if Apple is ready to change the labels further to allow users to choose which components they want to integrate into their devices.
See more
Apple’s Service History Feature Makes Some Right-to-Repair Experts Nervous
Is it the end of Apple’s right-to-repair honeymoon?
Key Takeaways
iOS 15.2 enables users to look at the service history of their iPhones.
The feature labels all non-Apple sourced parts as “Unknown.”
Right-to-repair advocates are concerned that Apple will use the feature to monopolize the spare parts market.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
Starting with iOS 15.2, Apple will enable users to check whether the components in their repaired iPhones are genuine or not. The move, however, hasn’t gone down well with right-to-repair advocates.
In addition to the Parts and Service History feature flagging a replaced part, Apple will also tag the replaced components. A “Genuine Apple Part” tag will appear adjacent to components that Apple has sold, while all other third-party components, or the ones that have been used in other iPhones or are defective, will get an “Unknown Part” tag.
“I think it’s laudable that there is progress on the front of being able to repair Apple devices now outside of its own ecosystem (third-party authorized resellers can repair with Apple-supplied parts, which was not possible before),” Max Schulze, Executive Chairman of Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance told Lifewire via email.
Change of Heart
In a major departure from its earlier stance, Apple has clarified that regardless of whether genuine or non-genuine components power the device, it won’t artificially interfere with the user’s ability to use it.
“These messages don’t affect your ability to use your iPhone, its battery, display, or camera,” asserts Apple in its support document, adding that the information is only “used for service needs, safety analysis, and to improve future products.”
“I think it’s laudable that there is progress on the front of being able to repair Apple devices now outside of its own ecosystem.”
This move comes on the heels of Apple softening its stance on imposing artificial curbs on users’ ability to operate their devices powered by non-genuine components. Very recently, backlash from the right-to-repair community prompted Apple to announce the withdrawal of plans to disable FaceID on iPhone 13 if the phone’s display was replaced without Apple-certified tools and components.
The blowback led to Apple changing tacks, saying it’ll only inform customers when the device detects it’s running non-genuine components instead of disabling functionality. The new Parts and Service History functionality in iOS 15.2 flows from that assurance.
Under the Hood
According to Apple’s support document for the new feature, the Parts and Service History section will only be available on devices that have had their factory-fitted components replaced with new ones.
On such devices, iOS 15.2 users can head to Settings > General > About to view the device’s service history.
Apple
Apple says the feature will spit out different information for the tracked components depending on the iPhone model. For instance, owners of the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and later, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation), will be able to see if the battery on their phone has been replaced.
On the other hand, in addition to the battery, iPhone 11 users will also be able to tell if the display has been replaced. Lastly, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users will get replacement information about the battery, display, and even if the camera has been changed.
Irresponsible Messaging
Right-to-repair advocates like Schulze have welcomed the new functionality and appreciate the level of transparency. However, what’s got some of them all riled up is the messaging, which labels all non-genuine parts as “Unknown,” irrespective of their capabilities.
“Looks like @Apple’s embrace of #RightToRepair was short-lived. Latest #iOS update labels non-Apple parts “unknown” – the same label used to describe parts that are “possibly defective.” Do better Cupertino. Owners should have a choice about parts,” wrote SecuRepairs on Twitter, adding that while the feature’s benefit to users is debatable, it will surely help give Apple a monopoly on aftermarket parts.
cyano66 / Getty Images
SecuRepairs isn’t alone in thinking that the messaging pushes the idea that only genuine Apple parts are acceptable, which would negatively impact reputable after-market suppliers like iFixit.
“You are right that [the messaging] devalues and cuts out third-party suppliers of partners and does nothing to open the market for those third-party parts,” agrees Schulze.
The very vocal right-to-repair ecosystem has begun highlighting the sinister implications of the messaging. However, it remains to be seen if Apple is willing to tweak the tags in the greater interest of letting users choose the components they want to put inside their devices.
#Apples #Service #History #Feature #RighttoRepair #Experts #Nervous
Apple’s Service History Feature Makes Some Right-to-Repair Experts Nervous
Is it the end of Apple’s right-to-repair honeymoon?
Key Takeaways
iOS 15.2 enables users to look at the service history of their iPhones.
The feature labels all non-Apple sourced parts as “Unknown.”
Right-to-repair advocates are concerned that Apple will use the feature to monopolize the spare parts market.
Guido Mieth / Getty Images
Starting with iOS 15.2, Apple will enable users to check whether the components in their repaired iPhones are genuine or not. The move, however, hasn’t gone down well with right-to-repair advocates.
In addition to the Parts and Service History feature flagging a replaced part, Apple will also tag the replaced components. A “Genuine Apple Part” tag will appear adjacent to components that Apple has sold, while all other third-party components, or the ones that have been used in other iPhones or are defective, will get an “Unknown Part” tag.
“I think it’s laudable that there is progress on the front of being able to repair Apple devices now outside of its own ecosystem (third-party authorized resellers can repair with Apple-supplied parts, which was not possible before),” Max Schulze, Executive Chairman of Sustainable Digital Infrastructure Alliance told Lifewire via email.
Change of Heart
In a major departure from its earlier stance, Apple has clarified that regardless of whether genuine or non-genuine components power the device, it won’t artificially interfere with the user’s ability to use it.
“These messages don’t affect your ability to use your iPhone, its battery, display, or camera,” asserts Apple in its support document, adding that the information is only “used for service needs, safety analysis, and to improve future products.”
“I think it’s laudable that there is progress on the front of being able to repair Apple devices now outside of its own ecosystem.”
This move comes on the heels of Apple softening its stance on imposing artificial curbs on users’ ability to operate their devices powered by non-genuine components. Very recently, backlash from the right-to-repair community prompted Apple to announce the withdrawal of plans to disable FaceID on iPhone 13 if the phone’s display was replaced without Apple-certified tools and components.
The blowback led to Apple changing tacks, saying it’ll only inform customers when the device detects it’s running non-genuine components instead of disabling functionality. The new Parts and Service History functionality in iOS 15.2 flows from that assurance.
Under the Hood
According to Apple’s support document for the new feature, the Parts and Service History section will only be available on devices that have had their factory-fitted components replaced with new ones.
On such devices, iOS 15.2 users can head to Settings > General > About to view the device’s service history.
Apple
Apple says the feature will spit out different information for the tracked components depending on the iPhone model. For instance, owners of the iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, and later, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation), will be able to see if the battery on their phone has been replaced.
On the other hand, in addition to the battery, iPhone 11 users will also be able to tell if the display has been replaced. Lastly, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users will get replacement information about the battery, display, and even if the camera has been changed.
Irresponsible Messaging
Right-to-repair advocates like Schulze have welcomed the new functionality and appreciate the level of transparency. However, what’s got some of them all riled up is the messaging, which labels all non-genuine parts as “Unknown,” irrespective of their capabilities.
“Looks like @Apple’s embrace of #RightToRepair was short-lived. Latest #iOS update labels non-Apple parts “unknown” – the same label used to describe parts that are “possibly defective.” Do better Cupertino. Owners should have a choice about parts,” wrote SecuRepairs on Twitter, adding that while the feature’s benefit to users is debatable, it will surely help give Apple a monopoly on aftermarket parts.
cyano66 / Getty Images
SecuRepairs isn’t alone in thinking that the messaging pushes the idea that only genuine Apple parts are acceptable, which would negatively impact reputable after-market suppliers like iFixit.
“You are right that [the messaging] devalues and cuts out third-party suppliers of partners and does nothing to open the market for those third-party parts,” agrees Schulze.
The very vocal right-to-repair ecosystem has begun highlighting the sinister implications of the messaging. However, it remains to be seen if Apple is willing to tweak the tags in the greater interest of letting users choose the components they want to put inside their devices.
#Apples #Service #History #Feature #RighttoRepair #Experts #Nervous
Synthetic: Ôn Thi HSG