If you ask Apple, the big news this week is its spring product announcement eventwhere the company introduced some shiny New equipment, including the new iPhone SE. But not everyone likes fancy Apple devices. According to a new report from consumer advocacy group US Pirg which ranks phones and laptops based on their repairability, Apple devices score the lowest of all major manufacturers.
The US Pirg’s rating is based on a Law enacted in early 2021 requires companies to include repairability ratings on products. The nonprofit compared these rankings with additional repairability data from right to repair advocates at i fix it. The report focuses only on phones and laptops, evaluating 187 devices from 10 manufacturers. The report assigns an alphabetical rating from A to F based on how easily the devices are disassembled and the availability and affordability of replacement parts. Apple’s computers scored D- and its iPhones scored F. Dell and Motorola devices scored the highest, both with B+ ratings. None of the companies made the top A list. Google’s phone earned a D+ score.
Companies’ scores are also affected by each manufacturer’s anti-repair activity. Apple and Microsoft both lose points because lobby against repair rights. The restriction of consumers’ ability to repair their own equipment is Crusade Apple has was on for a while now, although there are already signs that the company may be relaxing a bit. For example, last year, Apple said it would eventually produce repair manual available for some of its devices. However, for many advocates of the right repair, these newborn steps are not enough.
Here are some other developments in the broader world of consumer technology.
Companies continue to withdraw from Russia
Many tech companies responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine two weeks ago. This week, Apple limited device features and stop selling products in Russia. So is Sony pause selling PlayStation and online services are disabled in Russia.
After Russia said it would block Facebook domestic, parent company Meta answered by adding community resources to its platform and allowing Instagram users hide followers on personal accounts in Russia and Ukraine.
Lululemon Laces Up
Lululemon, the sports brand known for its stretchy yoga clothing, has announced that it is participating in Footwear game. The company event kicked off with a pair of running shoes called Blissfeel. Lululemon said it spent four years developing the shoe and analyzed over a million feet to create a runner specifically for the female body. Blissfeels will be available March 22 for $148. A wider selection of shoes for running, exercise and relaxation will arrive later this year.
Amazon wants you DJ Party to launch its app
Amazon has launched a new audio streaming service that aims to compete with social audio services like Club house and Twitter Spaces. Amazon’s new app, called Ampallow users play DJ and host their own live radio shows. Aspiring shock participants can cycle through playlists and accept calls from others on the platform. Amazon says Amp’s music catalog now has “tens of millions of licensed songs,” although they’re not the same tunes available on Amazon Music.
Amp is available in beta on iOS. Amazon says Android and desktop versions are coming soon.
Android gets bigger
Google has finished working on a version of its age-old Android mobile operating system optimized for tablets, foldable devices, and other large-screen devices. Android 12L there are several key features intended to make the complex layouts of these devices easier to use. Changes include reconfiguration of home and lock screens, PC-esque taskbar for launching apps, improved support for split-screen modes, and delimited columns to help with management Notifications easier. Google says Android 12L will be released on certain devices later this year.
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