The Right To Repair

I use apple products because they tend to work well together but I long ago lost my affinity for the company. They’ve hid abusive behavior behind this friendly brand persona, and insinuated some magic to their products that only they can fix. Only because they made them that way for maximum profit, consumer be damned.

I remember replacing a battery in my wife’s old MacBook. It was an east operation except …it was basically a transplant that was refused by the host. The computer never worked right to the point where it just needed to be replaced. Despite there really being nothing wrong with it except a bad battery. Apple won. The environment lost. My family lost. The landfill won.

Same thing now with my 2016 iPad Pro. The battery doesn’t really hold much of a charge anymore. Do I even bother trying to get it replaced? It otherwise works fine, I just watch YouTube on it.

I have to admit that I’m just tired. I’m over it. I feel that as consumers nobody cares about us. Corporate money and those tied to it own everything including all sides of our government. We’re just here for the milking and the milk runs dry.
 
I'd like to think there is still some hope, and these recent victories by the Right To Repair coalition fueled by state legislation both enacted and pending will cause many corporations to rethink their greedy profit at all costs strategies.

The letter's mention of other heavyweights including Samsung already having supported the CA legislation means perhaps they now see compliance as a necessary cost of doing business, they can no longer just screw the consumer (and the environment) as freely as they used to, and failure to comply would result in expensive litigation defense costs.

They might as well just let people replace their fucking batteries, no? Probably a good first step, while they dream up all new means of forced obsolescence.
 
MikeyFresh said:
I'd like to think there is still some hope, and these recent victories by the Right To Repair coalition fueled by state legislation both enacted and pending will cause many corporations to rethink their greedy profit at all costs strategies.

The letter's mention of other heavyweights including Samsung already having supported the CA legislation means perhaps they now see compliance as a necessary cost of doing business, they can no longer just screw the consumer (and the environment) as freely as they used to, and failure to comply would result in expensive litigation defense costs.

They might as well just let people replace their fucking batteries, no? Probably a good first step, while they dream up all news means of forced obsolescence.
Click to expand...
It's been awhile since I had a Samsung phone (2019?)... but weren't they always a bit more user-repairable than Apple? Apple seems particularly devious when it comes to such things. I really liked that phone except that it's 'econsystem' wasn't quite as seamless as Apple.
 
JohnVF said:
It's been awhile since I had a Samsung phone (2019?)... but weren't they always a bit more user-repairable than Apple? Apple seems particularly devious when it comes to such things. I really liked that phone except that it's 'econsystem' wasn't quite as seamless as Apple.
Click to expand...
Not to my knowledge, there are no official Samsung replacement parts such as batteries available to consumers or repair shops, which is the heart of the matter.

They are no easier to crack open and fix (with parts from eBay of questionable quality) than an iPhone is, and in fact it's probably harder to get anything resembling a warranty repair because Samsung's U.S. network of retail stores called Samsung Experience Stores numbers 5, far fewer walk-in locations than Apple, though obviously there are resellers such as Best Buy, but they won't fix anything for you either.

The same is true for other phone makers, it doesn't matter if you have a Sony, Moto (Lenovo), HTC, or OnePlus, etc... none of them provide places, instructions, parts, or anything else that would make it easy to get a phone or tablet repaired. That needs to change, and the biggest splash market share-wise would be Apple and Samsung, by a very wide margin. They need to provide parts (including batteries), and instructions to both repair shops or handy individuals so that phones can be serviced more easily.

Right now the repair shops that do exist have to buy parts of dubious quality on the grey market, they cannot just contact Apple or Samsung and order parts for repair, including batteries. The closest you'll come to that sort of thing is Apple's Genius Bar, if you pay for Apple Care.
 
JohnVF said:
I use apple products because they tend to work well together but I long ago lost my affinity for the company. They’ve hid abusive behavior behind this friendly brand persona, and insinuated some magic to their products that only they can fix. Only because they made them that way for maximum profit, consumer be damned.

I remember replacing a battery in my wife’s old MacBook. It was an east operation except …it was basically a transplant that was refused by the host. The computer never worked right to the point where it just needed to be replaced. Despite there really being nothing wrong with it except a bad battery. Apple won. The environment lost. My family lost. The landfill won.

Same thing now with my 2016 iPad Pro. The battery doesn’t really hold much of a charge anymore. Do I even bother trying to get it replaced? It otherwise works fine, I just watch YouTube on it.

I have to admit that I’m just tired. I’m over it. I feel that as consumers nobody cares about us. Corporate money and those tied to it own everything including all sides of our government. We’re just here for the milking and the milk runs dry.
Click to expand...
There you go. Couldn’t agree more. Giant corporations and billionaires own us and we are left to try to decide who screws us the least. Yes, I’m old and cynical, having bought into the concept that deregulation is good for the consumer. Pfffftttt….
 
Interesting read. I have the feeling it's going to be a long tit for tat battle with manufacturers playing wackomole with access.
 
MrEd said:
Interesting read. I have the feeling it's going to be a long tit for tat battle with manufacturers playing wackomole with access.
Click to expand...
I'm sure they will fight tooth and nail to preserve the status quo, which could end up being very expensive for them when a state like MA sues them for noncompliance.
 
I "repaired" a computer monitor at work. Or at least attempted to. I can still remember that smell of burnt skin... 😮
 

From repair.org today:​


Spotlight on NY and CO:​

Pioneers of Repair Laws​

New York:​

As of January 1, New York's got a new rulebook for electronic devices, and it's a game-changer! Here’s the lowdown:
  1. DIY Made Easy: Manufacturers now have to share their secret sauce – the whole repair shebang (parts, tools, the works) – with both independent fixers and gadget owners. This applies to all gizmos first sold from July 1, 2023.
  2. Equal Play for All: The repair goodies given to independent repairers? They've got to be just as nifty as what the authorized repair clubs get. If there's no VIP repair club, manufacturers must still dish out the goods they usually would to keep their tech ticking.
  3. Fair's Fair: What's the deal with costs?
    • Docs: Free (unless you want them in dead-tree format).
    • Software Tools: Gratis and with no strings attached. Think quick access to pairing and calibration magic.
    • Hardware Tools: You'll pay what it costs to get them to you, nothing more.
    • Spare Parts: Reasonably priced (though they're a bit hush-hush on the exact figures), new or used, and easy to snag.
But Wait, There's More: Whether a company offers repairs or not, they gotta have warranty services. And the juicy part? Even if your warranty's long gone, the repair info is still yours for the taking.

Some Fine Print:
  1. Only for electronic whizbangs, with a few exceptions.
  2. Trade secrets stay secret (no peeking at source codes or proprietary magic).
  3. Anti-theft measures need an owner's nod to bypass.
  4. What they share with their repair pals is what you get, no more.

Colorado:​

Farmers & Ranchers, Start Your Engines!​

Welcome to 2024, where Colorado's farming and ranching heroes just got a massive upgrade! The scoop:
  1. Agricultural Revolution: The new law lets the green thumbs and cattle wranglers fix their own farm tech. We're talking all-access passes to repair manuals, software tools, and those oh-so-important diagrams.
  2. Empowering the Land: With nearly 39,000 farms and ranches dotting Colorado's landscape, this law is a big win for the 195,000+ folks in the industry. Say goodbye to waiting on manufacturer
A Bit of History: This isn't Colorado's first rodeo with Right to Repair. Remember the 2022 law for powered wheelchairs? Yep, they've been paving the way for self-repair freedom!

Bottom Line​

New York and Colorado are blazing trails, making sure you've got the tools and know-how to fix your gear. It’s more than just a repair thing; it’s about taking charge, reducing waste, and keeping our beloved stuff in action longer. Here's to more states joining the party! 🛠️💻🚜🔧

2024's Starting Lineup​

We're barely into 2024, and the Right to Repair movement is already lacing up its running shoes. The race is on, with new legislation popping up in not one, not two, but at least 10 U.S. states!
Here's the State-by-State Playbook:
  • Alaska (SB 112): The Last Frontier opens up! Everything's fair game except cars.
  • Indiana (SB 53): Focusing on consumer electronics and farm equipment.
  • Massachusetts (S2478): Handheld devices are in the spotlight. This bill sprinted past its original committee and is now pacing through the Senate Ways & Means.
  • Michigan (HB 4673): All about farm equipment.
  • Missouri (HB 1618): Embracing all electronic devices, with cars in the pit stop.
  • New Hampshire (HB1701): Championing educational technology.
  • Ohio (SB 273): An ambitious run covering all but cars, farm and forestry equipment, and medical gear.
  • Pennsylvania (SB744): A broad spectrum, excluding cars, medical devices, and outdoor power/farming/yard/construction equipment.
  • Vermont (H.81): Farm and forestry equipment take the lead. Passed the House and now warming up in the Senate.
  • Washington (HB 1933): A diverse lineup with consumer and enterprise electronics, farm equipment, and power wheelchairs.
 
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