News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Apple's famous walled garden is starting to show cracks by 14 on Sunday January 13, 2019 @12:41PM (#18897669)
I would love to see Apple move towards a truly modular phone. Just broke my screen. If I could walk into a retail store and get the screen module I would have done so right away. Now I have to go on eBay order and wait hoping I can survive with a cracked screen until it arrives. If anyone could do a modular phone it would be apple.
Re:Apple's famous walled garden is starting to show cracks by jmull on Sunday January 13, 2019 @01:00PM (#18897790)
The problem with a modular phone (no matter who makes it) is there are big design tradeoffs. To increase the modularity, especially from an end-user perspective, you have to give up some combination of size, cost, power, battery life, water-resistance or other features.

It just probably isn't worth it, especially for the case of a partially damaged device where there are probably better solutions... Like a "loaner" program or 2-hr on-site repair for most repairs. These would increase the cost of repair (or repair insurance like Apple Care)... that's a tradeoff in its own right, but at least it doesn't impact your day-to-day usage of the device.

Re:Apple's famous walled garden is starting to show cracks by DonHopkins on Sunday January 13, 2019 @01:44PM (#18898008)
The Novation Apple-Cat II was the last truly modular Apple phone. You could plug in your favorite stylish handset with a standard connector, and easily replace the screen with any TV set or monitor of your choosing.

https://apple2history.org/history/ah13/#attachment_1622

Re:Apple's famous walled garden is starting to show cracks by jmull on Sunday January 13, 2019 @03:53PM (#18898619)
That’s beautiful.

I just set up a home office and I’m thinking I need to get one of these and figure out how to set it up as my office phone somehow.