A growing number of consumers have been asking to be able to extend the lifespan of devices, especially at a time when sustainability and environmental issues have become more important.
More broadly, the move to a culture where waste reduction and greater environmental consciousness take centre stage means that consumers are looking for devices that last longer and can be repaired, when required.
The ability to repair components and whole devices, rather than having to throw them away, will save in terms of costs, reduce the need for landfill and enable regulations around waste to be more easily met.
Apple said that it will launch its repair programme in early 2022 and it covers batteries, screens and cameras and will include the sale of 200 parts and tools.
The company’s decision comes after months of pressure from the right-to-repair movement and while it is probably more sensible for customers to take their devices to a professional repair shop, this move will give more technically minded ones the opportunity to repair their devices.
The company’s announcement came with talk of designing products for durability, longevity and increased repairability, which considering Apple has been a major opponent when it's come to right-to-repair is a bit ‘pot-kettle-black’ in my opinion.
The independent repair-instructions website iFixit tweeted, "We never thought we'd see the day."
A bit of bad media and this tech giant has discovered that it supported the repair market all along!
