California this week officially adopted new right to repair legislation, with California Governor Gavin Newsom this week signing SB 244 into law. The Right to Repair law requires companies to provide customers with the tools to diagnose and repair consumer electronics and appliances. Apple in August sent a letter urging California to adopt the bill, despite the fact that Apple has lobbied against other Right to Repair legislation. Apple has already launched a Self Service Repair program for iPhones and Macs, with the repair program providing customers with repair kits, repair manuals, and components for repairs. Apple also has repair programs for independent repair shops, such as the Apple Authorized Service Provider option and the Independent Repair Provider program. California's…

Apple has, for many years, tenaciously fought the so-called “Right to Repair” movement across the United States. No longer. Brian Merchant for The Los Angeles Times: “Apple has been the biggest opponent,” said Kyle Wiens, the chief executive of IFixit and a national advocate for repair laws. Now, however, it appears that out of the blue, this most powerful foe has suddenly turned into a formidable ally. In a surprise move, Apple has come out in favor of California legislation, SB 244, authored by state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), that would guarantee consumers access to parts and instructions that enable them to fix their stuff. Apple’s support not only clears the path for this bill to become law, it…

Apple has reversed its opposition to the right to repair bill, Senate Bill 244, and is now urging the California legislature to pass it. Self Service Repair is part of Apple’s efforts to further expand access to repairs, and is intended for individuals who are experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices. Apple in November 2021 announced Self Service Repair, which will allow customers who are comfortable with completing their own repairs access to Apple genuine parts and tools. Since April 2022, Self Service Repair has given anyone with experience repairing electronic devices access to the same manuals, genuine Apple parts, and tools used at Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Service Providers. California Senate Bill 244 would require…

Apple co-founder, first chairman, and second CEO Mike Markkula has sold his 14,000-acre ranch — the largest landholding in Carmel Valley, California — for $35 million to an environmental group that plans to turn the property into a nature preserve. Apple employee No. 3 Mike Markkula has sold his vast estate David Caraccio for The Scaramento Bee: Known as Rana Creek Ranch, the Monterey County property had been off market since December 2018 after previously listing for $59.95 million in 2013 and for $45 million in 2016. The last asking price was $37.5 million. The working cattle ranch consists of a private lake, riding arena, two barns, 2,900-foot airplane landing strip and an understated 5,413-square-foot main house with a swimming…

Apple has partnered with Destination: Home, as well as California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), and Housing Trust Silicon Valley as part of its $2.5 billion commitment to address the housing crisis across California. The company has also teamed up with United Way of Greater Los Angeles to fund the Affordable Housing Initiative, a social impact fund that supports the creation of affordable housing for individuals and families who are unhoused or at risk of falling into homelessness. Given the complexity of the affordable housing crisis, Apple has worked with community partners to identify a diverse array of programs and projects that approach the challenge in distinct ways. Apple has now deployed nearly $1.5 billion to support affordable housing across the…

Apple fans balked at the price of "Designed by Apple in California" when it came out. Bet they wish they'd paid it then so they could sell it now. (via Cult of Mac - Tech and culture through an Apple lens)