When iPhones first came on the market, customers could only get their devices fixed at an actual Apple store. Now that the phones have become ubiquitous, phone repair store have popped up on nearly every block and in every mall, providing owners with a plethora of options and prices when it comes to seeking repairs for their devices. But a new report shows that Apple and other tech manufacturers and organizations are fighting against these choices, pushing to eliminate state legislation that aims to make it easier for anyone to repair electronics. [More]
devices
Bootlooping Issues With Nexus 6P Lead To Runaround From Manufacturer Huawei
By 5.8.17 — Updated: 5.9.17
Imagine you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on a new smartphone, and after only five months your device gets stuck in an endless cycle of rebooting. You’d hope the manufacturer would rush you a new phone and apologize for the inconvenience… only to end up caught in an endless loop of inept customer service. [More]
Samsung To Make Google Play Default Music App On All Devices
By 4.21.17 — Updated: 4.23.17
If you’re planning to order one of Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 devices today, you’ll also be getting a little bit more — or at least Google hopes you do: Google Play Music streaming service will now be the default music app on Samsung devices. [More]
Apple Investigating After iPhone 7 Plus Reportedly Explodes, Catches Fire
By 2.24.17
Four months after Apple launched an investigation into the alleged fire of an iPhone 7 device in Australia, the tech giant is opening a similar inquiry stateside after video posted this week shows an Arizona teen’s iPhone 7 Plus smoldering in its case. [More]
Samsung Trademarked “Hello” In Europe. But What Does It Mean?
By 2.10.17
Apple has the iPhone and Siri, Amazon has Echo and Alexa, and Google has Home and Ok Google. Now it appears that it is Samsung’s turn to wade into the connected device and virtual assistant world, as the tech giant recently filed a trademark in Europe for a system dubbed “Hello” that sounds a lot like the already crowded field of digital assistants. [More]
Have Your Devices Or Accounts Been Searched At The Border?
By 2.9.17
When entering the United States, have agents taken away your computer or other devices, or have they demanded social media passwords? The Electronic Frontier Foundation is gathering stories from people who have had to surrender their devices or their social media account information at the border when it’s not clear what the feds are doing with this information. [More]
Apple Now Selling Refurbished iPhones Online
By 11.8.16
Before today, you could purchase a refurbished iPad or Mac — but not an iPhone — online from Apple. That’s changing as the tech company is now offering customers the chance to purchase refurbished iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus online. [More]
Report: Microsoft Likely Won’t Make Another Wearable Band
By 9.14.16
Two years after Microsoft entered the wearable market with its Band fitness devices, it appears the tech company may be throwing in the towel, at least for now. [More]
Report: Amazon To Open 100 Pop-Up Stores In Next Year
By 9.9.16
Two years after Amazon opened two real-life seasonal pop-up stores in San Francisco and Sacramento, the company is reportedly working on a plan to open 100 more of the limited-run stores. [More]
Apple Patents Tech To Record & Scan Fingerprints Of Suspected iPhone Thieves
By 8.26.16
For the past two years, some smartphone manufacturers have been adding so-called “kill switches” software to phones that allow them to be turned off remotely if they fall into the wrong hands. Now, Apple is taking things a bit further, by patenting a new system that will take photos, record video, and capture fingerprints of ne’er-do-wells who snatch iPhones. [More]
Posting Pics Of Frayed Apple Cords Won’t Do Anything, But This Might
By 7.30.15
People all over the world adore Apple’s phones, tablets, and computers, but they quite emphatically do not like the charging cords for those devices. People discuss the failings of these peripherals everywhere online, from product review pages to support forums to dedicated blogs full of frayed-cord gore. Yet there are avenues to complain about products that are obviously defective that could trigger a recall or other action. [More]
New Google Glass Could Reportedly Have Larger Display, Hand-Triggered Photo Capabilities
By 7.8.15
Citing the need for a redesign – and slow sales for its Explorers program – Google stopped selling the most recent version of its Google Glass back in January. While the company declined to provide any specifics on its next version of the device at the time, a newly awarded patent – and sources close to the device’s creation – give a few hints of what might be in store for the high-tech gadget. [More]
IKEA Making Furniture With Built-In Charging Stations
By 3.2.15
Rummaging through drawers to find the right power cord for your smartphone, tablet and other electronic devices can be a frustrating task. Soon, though, you might be able to juice up your device simply by placing it on the IKEA bookshelf, desk or nightstand littering your home. [More]
By 8.5.09
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Later this month, Sony will start selling a $199 ebook reader through Walmart and other retailers ($100 less than the Kindle). They’re also dropping the price of new releases to $9.99, which is what Amazon sells ebook licenses for. [Consumer Reports]
End Pre-Emption, Support The Medical Device Safety Act
By 3.18.09
Two recent Supreme Court cases on federal pre-emption have made a mess of tort law, confusing and endangering consumers by holding that a patient who is injured by a dangerous drug can sue the manufacturer, but a patient injured by a dangerous medical device cannot. How this happened, and what to do about it, inside.
Dear President-Elect Obama, The FDA Is Mismanaged. Sincerely, The FDA
By 1.12.09
A letter to President-Elect Obama from nine FDA scientists makes alarming charges of mismanagement at the FDA, alleging incompetence, intimidation, and inappropriate industry influence.
When Should You Buy A Warranty?
By 12.7.07
SmartMoney has added its opinion to the argument of what warrants extended coverage and what doesn’t. Here’s their list of when and why you would want to buy that extended warranty—adjust their advice accordingly based on your own tolerance for risk and your history with dropping and spilling things.
