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You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

nytimes.com

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Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#61

Post by cameronh90 »

Aeolun wrote: post #40
cameronh90 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s just because the thieves don’t consider the android devices worth stealing. London sadly has an ongoing problem with phone snatchers and pickpockets, so on two occasions I’ve seen them nick an Android. In the first case, they just chucked it on the floor a few metres further down the road. On the second, the guy loudly shouted “what the fuck is this shit?” as he cycled down the road and threw it into a canal.

I’m not quite sure what they expect if they snatch an Apple device? It’d just turn into a brick in a few minutes/hours?

So one of two things usually happen, either:

(1) It gets shipped straight to Eastern Europe or China and broken down for parts which are resold back to unauthorised repair shops in the West as official Apple parts.

Or more commonly (2) they will try to socially engineer the owner into giving up their Apple credentials so that they can sign out the iPhone and wipe it. If that fails, go to (1).

When my brother’s partner had her iPhone nicked, they extracted her phone number off the SIM then started sending her messages linking to a phishing iCloud sign in page, saying something like “Your stolen device has been located, sign in here to recover it.”.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#62

Post by cameronh90 »

wombat-man wrote: post #43
cameronh90 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the reasons I switched to iPhone was that Google only does their repairs here through third parties. Even though it was with official parts, the repair quality was never great and it often needed to be manually calibrated or go in for another repair to fix the things they broke in the first repair. My experience (YMMV!) with AppleCare has always been stellar.

In my experience, getting the insurance or whatever for google phones is worth it since they often just replace your phone. I busted a screen and the authorized repair shop broke the mobo trying to replace it. Google replaced my phone but it was an irritating process.

Sadly the Google version of AppleCare is not available in the UK, as far as I know!

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#63

Post by wahnfrieden »

nottorp wrote: post #47

Common misconception that hardware matters and thus we are not in a duopoly situation with Google and Apple being the only options for software. Doesn't mean Apple aren't -holes with repairs, but in my opinion the above software problem is worse.

It massively limits human creativity and productivity all for protectionism under the guise of safety

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#64

Post by eviks »

quadrifoliate wrote: post #41
jqpabc123 wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Show us where Apple advertises this and I might believe you.

There is a form of explicit and implicit advertising. Apple advertised implicitly by consistently fulfilling the promise that if anything bad happens to your iPhone, in most cases an Apple Store can fix it. Control is a part of this implicit model. This is not a model I myself like (I prefer the more freewheeling Android ecosystem); but I can appreciate why people respond well to it. To your average person who doesn'…

Why did you pick bootloaders instead of the more obvious example of battery replacement that any average person can understand - it's cheaper if it's not locked/less controlled by Apple via various means? Also don't see the connection with Apple Store - their implied ability to fix it isn't impugned in this case

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#65

Post by pierat »

That's exactly what I've been saying.

This "cloud controlled shit" is a rental with no terms and unlimited claw-back. These aren't sales.

If I had a computer, installed remote controlling malware on it, sold it, and then started exerting remote control over it, I'd be arrested and likely sentenced to fraud or hacking.

This is fraud for Apple etm to call this a "sale", and should be prosecuted as such.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#66

Post by Lalabadie »

ndsipa_pomu wrote: post #53
vasdae wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pickpocketing is quick and easy, sometimes not even a crime, and even though phones are locked, you can sell the Android phone for pieces. That's not the case for the iphone.

> Pickpocketing is quick and easy, sometimes not even a crime I find that difficult to believe.

In many places, it's a crime according to the law, but if nothing happens with thieves or reported theft, then in terms of consequences it's not a crime.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#67

Post by vuln »

ozyschmozy wrote: post #18
RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #4

This control severely limits the utility of stolen iPhones, which is a good thing for me as an iPhone owner. There are other phones that consumers can choose that don’t have this pairing. But this pairing of parts is one of the reasons people choose and iPhone.

How often does phone theft actually happen? I keep hearing this argument but in my ~15 years of owning non-apple phones and laptops, I've never had one stolen, or heard of anyone getting theirs stolen. Have I just been very lucky?

> but in my ~15 years of owning non-apple phones and laptops

> I've never had one stolen

> Have I just been very lucky?

No you’re not lucky. Your items aren’t worth stealing. Rarely does anyone steal android devices, or windows laptops the resale value isn’t there. Which should be obvious to the most casual observer.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#68

Post by macNchz »

quadrifoliate wrote: post #41
jqpabc123 wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Show us where Apple advertises this and I might believe you.

There is a form of explicit and implicit advertising. Apple advertised implicitly by consistently fulfilling the promise that if anything bad happens to your iPhone, in most cases an Apple Store can fix it. Control is a part of this implicit model. This is not a model I myself like (I prefer the more freewheeling Android ecosystem); but I can appreciate why people respond well to it. To your average person who doesn'…

I’m not following as to what the Apple store being able to repair phones has to do with them restricting others from making repairs? They were certainly able to repair phones just fine prior to implementing parts pairing.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#69

Post by paulcole »

thesuperbigfrog wrote: post #56

Do you want to control your device or are you okay with someone else controlling it? https://youtu.be/Ag1AKIl_2GM?t=57

My iPhone works really well and I generally trust Apple. So I’m 100% fine with someone else controlling it.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#70

Post by nottorp »

elcomet wrote: post #57
gkanai wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a significant difference between a Chinese-made Apple OEM part and an aftermarket low-cost Chinese part.

Which is why it makes no sense to say "Chinese" to mean low quality

The Chinese will make a part exactly as good as you pay them to make it.
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