tundraboy

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tundraboy
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  • Global chaos erupts as Windows security update goes bad

    Maybe it's time for Apple to consider opening a business computing division.  Maybe acquire JAMF to start with.  I imagine all these companies that suffered would want to get away from monoculture systems and set up at least a back-up or parallel network.  Just think how big that business could be for Apple.  It'll double the company's size overnight.
    danoxwatto_cobra
  • ChatGPT for Mac app logged queries in an unencrypted file before getting caught

    See, you just can't trust these people ... 
    williamlondon9secondkox2watto_cobra
  • Apple's repair programs have more to do to satisfy New York Right to Repair law

    avon b7 said:
    tundraboy said:
    Right to repair laws can get really dumb. I can understand its benefit when it comes to cars*, but for compact electronic devices, it just benefits a handful of people at a cost that is charged to all buyers of the device.  The worst effect of such a law is when it starts to interfere with product design, forcing the company to make design compromises that sacrifice cost, quality, and performance.

    *And even with cars, nobody insists that the electronic modules be repairable down to the level that is demanded of iPhones.  When a volume control knob on your car stereo breaks, are auto manufacturers required to make that replaceable, or is just offering a replacement stereo good enough?  I've had that happen to me and a replacement knob is not available, the only solution offered is to replace the whole unit.  An electronic device should be repairable to the same standard as that car stereo, not to the standard applied to the whole car.
    The opposite argument applies too because the goals don't have to coincide. 

    Cost? At what price?  ;)
    Design? What sacrifices against what benefits? 
    Performance? What performance metrics?

    Companies should be designing for repair.

    If they think their products truly last (and are built to last) why do companies like Apple offer such poor warranties out of the gate?

    Often requiring external legislation to set minimum warranty periods. The Answer is that 'price' or 'cost' falls squarely on the consumer (both in and out of warranty). 'In warranty' via Applecare or similar systems and 'out of warranty' through poor design decisions that actually impede or dissuade repair due to complexity and/or price and parts availability (lack of, that is to say). 

    Tradeoffs abound in any situation but things need to be re-thought to put the paying consumer centre stage. 

    If you think IP68 protection is necessary - then back it up under warranty. Simple. Don't say 'you should be fine if it ever happens but your on your own if it fails'. The point here is that it almost always does not happen. I think I've only ever known of two cases of water immersion personally. 

    IP68 ratings are questionable design choices at best. Water resistance is a better solution along with things like nano coatings which have been around for years. 

    User replaceable batteries should not require a special suitcase full of tools and instructions.

    Thickness you say? Take a look at this folding phone (it will be released next week) and imagine how 'thick' things would be if applied to some like an iPhone:

    https://www.fonearena.com/blog/427645/honor-magic-v3-launch-date-magic-vs3-magicpad-2-magicbook-art-14.html

    Performance is moot. Some would argue that a repairable phone 'performs' better because it can last longer between upgrades. 

    And parts pairing should be authorised by the owner, not limited to Apple. 

    The only reasonable way to reach these goals is through 'right to repair' legislation and that is what we are seeing. 

    The EU directive is already making waves and surely being taken into consideration by manufacturers. Expect a lot of handwringing (and fines) if DMA compliance is anything to go by. Especially as the EU approach is actually part of a bigger initiative. 




    Looks like your beef is not really about repairability but Apple's design choices not being the ones you would have made.  Battery replaceability, water proofing, thickness -- you laid out your preference about these things.  Unfortunately companies cannot cater to all consumers' preferences; Apple chose features that it deemed would appeal to the most number of potential customers.

    Now the usual consumer response to a product that he doesn't like is to buy something else.  Your response is to demand that government pass a law that forces a company to deliver what you want.

    I on the other hand believe that aside from safety considerations, governments should not be in the product design business.
    iOS_Guy80williamlondonrezwitsdewme13485meterestnz
  • Apple's repair programs have more to do to satisfy New York Right to Repair law

    Right to repair laws can get really dumb. I can understand its benefit when it comes to cars*, but for compact electronic devices, it just benefits a handful of people at a cost that is charged to all buyers of the device.  The worst effect of such a law is when it starts to interfere with product design, forcing the company to make design compromises that sacrifice cost, quality, and performance.

    *And even with cars, nobody insists that the electronic modules be repairable down to the level that is demanded of iPhones.  When a volume control knob on your car stereo breaks, are auto manufacturers required to make that replaceable, or is just offering a replacement stereo good enough?  I've had that happen to me and a replacement knob is not available, the only solution offered is to replace the whole unit.  An electronic device should be repairable to the same standard as that car stereo, not to the standard applied to the whole car.
    williamlondondewme
  • Glued iPhone batteries may be a thing of the past, if this new tech works out

    VictorMortimer said:

     Changing the battery on my old Motorola flip phones took seconds, I kept spare batteries charging so I never had to worry about charging the phone itself, I just changed to a fully charged battery.  THAT is what Apple should be doing.
    So how do you make a Razr-style switchable battery that is still just as moisture and water-proof and does not take up a lot of volume that would have been used for circuitry and other internal components?  People forget that space is at such a premium in smartphones, then they demand solutions that would have rendered the iPhone undesirable and uncompetitive if Apple adopts it but their competitors don't.

    Throughout its evolution, electronic devices have kept moving towards solid state components.  Eventually phones will just be 3 solid blocks of screen, circuitry, and battery, housed inside a waterproof case. Or at the extreme, maybe even just one block containing all three.  People who demand user repairability will be frothing at the mouth when that day comes.



    williamlondonwatto_cobra