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Motorola Becomes First Smartphone Company To Sell DIY Repair Kits To Its Customers (vice.com)
As Apple continues to fight independent repair, Motorola has partnered with iFixit and pledged to support the right to repair movement. From a report: It is excellent news that Motorola has decided to make it as easy as possible for you to repair your phone. The company announced that it would begin selling replacement parts for all of its recent phones to customers, and it has partnered with iFixit to sell repair kits for phones like the Moto X, Z, G4, G5, and Droid Turbo 2. The kits come with tools, genuine Motorola-branded replacement parts, and instructions on how to fix your device. iFixit is currently selling replacement batteries, screens, and digitizer assemblies. "Motorola is setting an example for major manufacturers to embrace a more open attitude towards repair," iFixit wrote in a blog post announcing the partnership. "For fixers like us, this partnership is representative of a broader movement in support of our Right to Repair. It's proof that OEM manufacturers and independent repair can co-exist. Big business and social responsibility, and innovation and sustainability, don't need to be mutually exclusive."
But maybe there are enough potential customers and independent repair folks to make the repair kits a viable market niche. I'm skeptical. But I hope I'm wrong.
I think you are wrong, because I see little cellphone repair shops in every city which even slightly deserves that description. If they know they can easily get repair kits for Moto phones, I think that they will do that. They focus on the most popular devices, though, so I expect they'll only stock a couple of models' parts. What I see in their windows is mostly Apple and Samsung. Still, this makes me more likely to continue to buy Motorola phones. I've been a Moto fanboy since before they even made cellular phones; their walkie-talkies were second to none in durability and reliability. I got into cellphones in the Motorola Triplets era (V300-600, and RAZR) and had great fun putting clear cases on them and such. My current phone is an unlocked G 2nd, and it's falling apart but it still works. The adhesive that holds the display down has failed and I keep thinking I'll just replace it, so I keep putting off fixing it... and it keeps working.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Do you know who else is below average in intelligence? YOU'RE MOM.
Automobile design is highly refined and (most) fasteners/fastening methods reflect not only production convenience, but expected frequency of repair.
Suspension components are typically bolted in place and are easy to replace.
Windshields are typically attached using clips to center them and adhesive to seal and retain them. They aren't difficult to remove for replacement when damaged. Typical windshield removal tools are designed to slice through adhesive somewhat like using a razor to separate glued consumer electronic components. Inductive heating coils are often used to warm the adhesive.
Screws into plastic rarely need locking adhesives, but screwed joints in plastic shells rely on the shell joint design to seal out moisture. Adhesives are better for water resistance.
That said, consumers want the thinnest, lightest possible phone with the most screen real estate. Glued joints are NARROW, require no bosses or reinforced areas for screws to thread into, and permit slightly lighter phones. Phones are fashion for most users, not serious tools.
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."