Smartphones

Neki

Molten Core Raider
2,726
397
This is pretty bullshit

'Error 53' fury mounts as Apple software update threatens to kill your iPhone 6 | Money | The Guardian

Thousands of iPhone 6 users claim they have been left holding almost worthless phones because Apple's latest operating system permanently disables the handset if it detects that a repair has been carried out by a non-Apple technician.

Relatively few people outside the tech world are aware of the so-called "error 53" problem, but if it happens to you you'll know about it. And according to one specialist journalist, it "will kill your iPhone".

The issue appears to affect handsets where the home button, which has touch ID fingerprint recognition built-in, has been repaired by a "non-official" company or individual. It has also reportedly affected customers whose phone has been damaged but who have been able to carry on using it without the need for a repair.

But the problem only comes to light when the latest version of Apple's iPhone software, iOS 9, is installed. Indeed, the phone may have been working perfectly for weeks or months since a repair or being damaged.

After installation a growing number of people have watched in horror as their phone, which may well have cost them ?500-plus, is rendered useless. Any photos or other data held on the handset is lost - and irretrievable.

Tech experts claim Apple knows all about the problem but has done nothing to warn users that their phone will be "bricked" (ie, rendered as technologically useful as a brick) if they install the iOS upgrade...
Amazingly, reading the Apple forums, there are many people defending Apple saying they are doing the right thing protecting security. I think it is pretty ridiculous that you have to go to official Apple repair centre (if there is one close to you) for a overpriced repair.

Imagine if you brought a car but you are required to go to back to the manufacturer if you needed any kind of repairs done. If you want to the local garage or fixed it yourself, it will render your car inoperable.

I am a Android user but wanted to give this heads up for our Apple using forum bros
 

zombiewizardhawk

Potato del Grande
9,355
11,999
Yup that kind of shit is why I will never buy an apple product. The only thing I have is my ipod shuffle from 5ish years ago and even for that they want you to only buy the official apple ipod shuffle charger for $22.99 or some shit, but I order knockoffs on amazon and get them for $3.99 each (and they last just as long as the apple ones before needing to be replaced). All it is is a usb to 3.5mm or whatever plug. Apple is a joke.
 

gogusrl

Molten Core Raider
1,359
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At least apple innovates

0qHbrSX.jpg
 

Palum

what Suineg set it to
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I'm not sure what I'm looking at, but they've been making really thin laptops for a while and there's no cords and 3 devices and bullshit.
 

Denamian

Night Janitor
<Nazi Janitors>
7,248
19,138
Looks like the Ipad pro with the stylus plugged in to charge. No idea whatever the hell the phone is plugged in to.

I could understand Apple disabling touch id if it detects a 3rd party fingerprint reader, but bricking the phone is ridiculous.
 

Ignatius

#thePewPewLife
4,659
6,212
Ipad pro w/ pencil, iPhone 6/6s with the battery case and a magic mouse 2 (just came out recently, uses a lightning cable to charge instead of batteries).

I asked one of the tech support guys what was up with that and the explanation I got was it had to do with the phone security. According to him, when the finger print scanner is damaged, it requires replacing the entire logic board. Could be wrong, he isn't an engineer.

Dunno, but it makes me glad my Applecare days are behind me
biggrin.png
 

Agraza

Registered Hutt
6,890
521
Apple is regressing. They should have digitized Jobs' consciousness to keep them on the righteous path of design simplicity.
 

Oblio

Utah
<Gold Donor>
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Ordered aZenfone 2 64 GBand I am switching over from Verizon to Cricket. I know that might sound crazy because Verizon is supposedly the best, but about 3 months ago I started getting shit reception at my home and Verizon refuses to do anything about it, claiming it must be my "outdated" Galaxy S4. The funny thing is a lot my neighbors have Verizon and they have noticed the drop in service as well. AT&T works like a champ at my house, so Cricket should be a good fit. Also, dropping my bill from $70 to $35 a month and getting 5 times the data (2.5 GB).

EDIT: About 40 minutes after I made this post my doorbell rang and a new egg package was sitting there with this phone. Just going through the set up of apps etc, it is really nice, I am super excited to get my service set up next week and really start using this this.
 

Kuriin

Just a Nurse
4,046
1,020
So my iPhone's screen finally cracked in a most bizarre situation...by being in my pocket during dinner. I'm assuming it hit the chair (it was in my jacket pocket) and cracked the screen. Time for a new phone. Still looking at the Blackberry Priv, but will also look at other Android phones. Sick of Verizon because I would like to use a phone outside of the country, lol.

Is getting an unlocked phone worth it?
 

BrutulTM

Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun.
<Silver Donator>
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If it's a nexus there's not really much of a downside to it. The 6P is one of if not the best Android phone and it's unlocked and reasonably priced.
 

opiate82

Bronze Squire
3,078
5
Nexus (either 5X or 6P) + Project Fi

Extremely happy with both the phone (6P in my case) and the service.
 

Denamian

Night Janitor
<Nazi Janitors>
7,248
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Nexus 5X and 6P will both work on any carrier. If it's in your budget and it's size doesn't bother you, I'd suggest the 6P over the 5X. Based on everything I've seen, the 6P is just a nicer phone in every way. It also common for the 5X's performance to suffer after a few days with no reboot, and for some units ship with a yellowish screen.
 

Big Phoenix

Pronouns: zie/zhem/zer
<Gold Donor>
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Why oh why must carriers and manufactures be such retards when it comes to releasing updates?
 

Jait

Molten Core Raider
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I heard if you set your Apple product to Jan 1, 1970 it brings up a naked picture of Emma Watson.

Or it might cause an integer underflow which bricks your iPhone.
tongue.png
 

Oblio

Utah
<Gold Donor>
11,326
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Loving the new Zenfone 2! Never really been a phone guy, always just wanted to make/receive calls & texts, get email and check the internet. This Zenfone makes me want to play games on it.
 

Siliconemelons

Avatar of War Slayer
11,024
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Why oh why must carriers and manufactures be such retards when it comes to releasing updates?
Because of who the American system has lain the burden of support of the OS on the Carrier - so if a customer gets an update and it bricks your phone, you don't go complain to the manufacturer you complain to the carrier and expect them to support you - this is slightly different over in the Euro lands and the manufactures deploy OTA most of the software updates.
 

Deathwing

<Bronze Donator>
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Because of who the American system has lain the burden of support of the OS on the Carrier - so if a customer gets an update and it bricks your phone, you don't go complain to the manufacturer you complain to the carrier and expect them to support you - this is slightly different over in the Euro lands and the manufactures deploy OTA most of the software updates.
Pretty sure carriers wanted that "burden", at first, because it meant they could load the phone with bloatware and their shitty versions of google's apps.