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Pixel Security

security.googleblog.com

121–130 of 152 posts

Re: Pixel Security

#121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's funny, I'm this exact same boat. My pixel died a little after two week (which is the requirement to get a return). I filled out their warranty claim thing, and >48 hours finally got a response, which is a trouble shooting guide. I replied that I tried all that stuff, and had to wait another 2 days for another response (asking for information I already gave). I'm extremely disappointed. I thought with their whole…

> It's funny, I'm this exact same boat. My pixel died a little after two week (which is the requirement to get a return). I filled out their warranty claim thing, and >48 hours finally got a response, which is a trouble shooting guide. I replied that I tried all that stuff, and had to wait another 2 days for another response (asking for information I already gave). Are you not in the US? Maybe it's different elsewher…

My experience with Google Play Store returns is similar. I have bought a Nexus 5 for a friend and returned it three times because of various issues. Every time they have shipped the replacement phone immediately after I have submitted the claim.

I was not asked to do any troubleshooting.

Re: Pixel Security

#122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you ever tried to get something Apple branded repaired when it is out of warranty? The repairs tend to basically cost as much as it would to buy the same item refurbished regardless of the issue. SSD died on your MacBook air selling for $500 on eBay? That will be a $450 repair sir. Sure, they may have manuals and everything else at the Apple store, but there is very clearly a reason why companies like iCracked a…

So this happened to me. My 2012 retina MacBook Pro battery was dying. Which makes sense, I used it every day for over four years. I figured I could take it to Apple for a battery replacement. They said they would do it — for $900. They told me it involved replacing the entire bottom half of the computer as the battery was glued in. So I called their support line and complained that the laptop was perfectly fine and i…

I've heard of this happening before. If the non-battery bit of that part of the computer breaks you pay $900 (or whatever), but if you just need the battery replacing you pay a heck of a lot less, or even nothing. The repair involves exactly the same actual work being done and part. The Apple Store employee must have accidentally selected the wrong maintenance option in the system.

Re: Pixel Security

#123
post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's funny, I'm this exact same boat. My pixel died a little after two week (which is the requirement to get a return). I filled out their warranty claim thing, and >48 hours finally got a response, which is a trouble shooting guide. I replied that I tried all that stuff, and had to wait another 2 days for another response (asking for information I already gave). Are you not in the US? Maybe it's different elsewher…

My experience with Google Play Store returns is similar. I have bought a Nexus 5 for a friend and returned it three times because of various issues. Every time they have shipped the replacement phone immediately after I have submitted the claim. I was not asked to do any troubleshooting.

I had the same experience with my older Nexus 5. However, I dropped my Nexus 6P and cracked the screen (And did not take the insurance). They now tell me there is nothing they can do and that I can try my luck with Huawei.

Re: Pixel Security

#124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If an i-device breaks on the first day and you take it to an Apple Store, the tech fixing it has: * A repair manual * Parts * Tools * The ability to replace your device on-the-spot with a new one if they brick it

When has an Apple Store had spares of their hot new phone available on the first day? A month out, sure, but come on.

When the first iPads came out, I actually received mine by post a day or two before the official launch day. It worked for a few hours, then the screen wouldn't switch on. At that point, iPads were super rare. Rarer than any iPhones have been since then.

I went to my local Apple store on release day, showed them it wasn't working, and they swapped it out straight away, no questions asked.

Re: Pixel Security

#125
post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So this happened to me. My 2012 retina MacBook Pro battery was dying. Which makes sense, I used it every day for over four years. I figured I could take it to Apple for a battery replacement. They said they would do it — for $900. They told me it involved replacing the entire bottom half of the computer as the battery was glued in. So I called their support line and complained that the laptop was perfectly fine and i…

> $900. They told me it involved replacing the entire bottom half of the computer as the battery was glued in. WTF? This is nonsense. Apple prices for battery repairs are clearly outlined on their web site[0]. This has always been what I (or relatives/friends/coworkers) paid for France[1] when I had to change a battery. [0]: https://support.apple.com/mac-notebooks/repair/service/prici... [1]: https://support.apple.co…

That is the exact page I used to argue my case with Apple on the phone. I said it was misleading that the price given to me at the Apple store was so much higher than what was listed on their website.

They told me that those prices are the service pricing, but do not include parts. And because the entire lower-half of the laptop needed to be changed in the rMBP model, the total cost would come to about $900 AUD.

The actual item listed on the repair invoice is "Top Case Assembly with Battery" @ $562.73 and the "Hardware Repair Labor" charge is listed at $289 AUD.

Did you ever have friends or relatives change the battery in a retina MacBook Pro? Apple cannot remove the battery because it is glued into the lower case assembly. And so when I got my machine back from Apple the trackpad, keyboard, and lower aluminium chassis was brand new (however the bottom plate, logic board, and internals were the same).

Re: Pixel Security

#126
post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So this happened to me. My 2012 retina MacBook Pro battery was dying. Which makes sense, I used it every day for over four years. I figured I could take it to Apple for a battery replacement. They said they would do it — for $900. They told me it involved replacing the entire bottom half of the computer as the battery was glued in. So I called their support line and complained that the laptop was perfectly fine and i…

I've heard of this happening before. If the non-battery bit of that part of the computer breaks you pay $900 (or whatever), but if you just need the battery replacing you pay a heck of a lot less, or even nothing. The repair involves exactly the same actual work being done and part. The Apple Store employee must have accidentally selected the wrong maintenance option in the system.

The Apple employee at the store explained that they cannot remove the battery from the rMBP model as it is glued in place.

When I complained in-person and through phone support I was told the same story specifically about the retina MBP model. They said that the standard charge for battery replacement in this model included the entire lower case assembly. I heard this from about four different support agents, even when it was escalated to the special support agent that was able to eventually authorise the free repair.

When I received my MacBook Pro back from battery service the keyboard, trackpad, and lower aluminium chassis were brand new. So they did change it all out just to replace the battery.

Re: Pixel Security

#127

Pixel/Google does not motivate a threat model under which to evaluate or understand their design and marketing promises, but we can take a hint from "protects your data if your phone falls into someone else's hands." - Namely thefts of opportunity. Unlike other phone manufacturers, Google does not promise potential customers that your data will be protected from Google, it's partners and from law enforcement and mass…

How would Google protect its customers from law enforcement and mass surveillance programs? The government can just force them to do whatever and issue a gag order to keep them quiet. Apple is just putting on a show with their tough security rhetoric, they can't resist the US government if they really want some data.

I think the point that Apple is making is that they don't have the data in the first place (because of their device-side encryption).

Re: Pixel Security

#128
post #34
post #13

Just FYI in case anyone is considering buying a Pixel: I strongly urge you not to. http://kasrarahjerdi.com/2016/11/dont-buy-anything-made-by-g... They have no Google provided support, if you drop the phone and break it your only option (if you didn't buy the third-party warranty upsell) is to take it to a repair shop. I called the ones near me, none had seen or touched the device before. Don't spend $800 on a phone…

Wait - What kind of phone manufacturer offers accident coverage right out of the box?

Not a phone, but Amazon offer an included 'no worries' warranty on their Kindle Fire Kids edition tablet - in the UK at least.

I have two reasonably destructive young children, so it's a little extra piece of mind.

Re: Pixel Security

#129
post #60

I trust this as far as I can throw it. Trustzone is at best as secure as the Trustzone secure world kernel, Qualcomm supplies that code (even in the Pixel AFAIK), and the Qualcomm secure world kernel is notoriously poorly written.

It would be great if someone built some non-qualcomm phones.

Re: Pixel Security

#130
post #60

I trust this as far as I can throw it. Trustzone is at best as secure as the Trustzone secure world kernel, Qualcomm supplies that code (even in the Pixel AFAIK), and the Qualcomm secure world kernel is notoriously poorly written.

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