[nottorp]

> and then pay $99 to have Apple professionally install a new battery for me in 3-4 years

In 3-4 years yes, but how about in 10-15 years? Apple will refuse to take your money then.

> Apple will send you the entire toolkit if you want complete with a return label.

Which is malicious compliance. They should allow the friendly neighborhood repair shop to purchase a toolkit so you can choose who does the repairs for you.

[rootusrootus]

> Apple will refuse to take your money then.

They still offer battery service for iPhone 6.

> They should allow the friendly neighborhood repair shop to purchase a toolkit

They do. My friendly neighborhood repair shop a couple miles away has the same tools and parts Apple uses themselves at their Store.

[nottorp]

Since when? Last time i read about the Apple "DIY" kit it was only a loan and only for ... doing it yourself.

But then I haven't broken a phone in a while so I haven't really talked to my friendly neighborhood repair shop. That only because my daughter finally grew up, they remembered me at the shop back when she was young :)

[rootusrootus]

There is the DIY program, and the Independent Repair Program [0].

> That only because my daughter finally grew up, they remembered me at the shop back when she was young

Ha! This is so relatable right now. My daughter is 15 and recently has been learning to drive, and last week she taught herself what happens if you set your iPhone on top of the car and then drive off. That is the only reason I've got familiarity with my local friendly neighborhood repair shop, I've never broken one of my own phones in all these years. Fortunately this life lesson only cost her the $39 deductible. Glad I decided that a 15 year old getting her first phone needed an insurance plan.

[0] https://support.apple.com/irp-program

[nottorp]

> what happens if you set your iPhone on top of the car and then drive off

Mine once dropped hers without noticing in a parking lot. We called her number and some dude answered and said come back here, i'll wait for you, but unfortunately i found your phone by stepping on it (it was night). At least it was just a person and not a car.

But don't despair, they grow out of it eventually. You may have to wait until she's off to college and forced to be more responsable by living on her own though.

[dpkirchner]

Apple offers replacement batteries for an 11 year old phone, now -- past performance is no guarantee but they're already way, way ahead of the pack and there's no sign they're going to stop repairing old phones.

[nine_k]

Will we even have a compatible wireless standards in 15 years?

[nottorp]

Probably. I mean, I don't even remember what standard my home wifi is on. It works, it's fast enough. Sometimes I think about upgrading the AP but why bother?

[nine_k]

3G was up for about 20 years, between roll-out and shutdown.

LTE has been up for 15 year in the US as of now. Chances are it may not be up after another 15 years.