The European Union is moving closer to enacting a law that will not just require smartphones like the iPhone to have easier battery repairs, but it will also mandate how much of a battery must be reclaimable after recycling.The EU wants to improve the sustainability, durability, and performance of batteriesBy a vote of 587 in favor, nine against, and 20 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have approved an agreement made with the Council to revamp European Union regulations about batteries and waste. The legislation represents the most recent endeavor within the "Right to Repair" movement, compelling companies to manufacture their products to make it easy for do-it-yourself repairs. Read more...

The European Union is moving closer to enacting a law that will not just require smartphones like the iPhone to have easier battery repairs, but it will also mandate how much of a battery must be reclaimable after recycling.The EU wants to improve the sustainability, durability, and performance of batteriesBy a vote of 587 in favor, nine against, and 20 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have approved an agreement made with the Council to revamp European Union regulations about batteries and waste. The legislation represents the most recent endeavor within the "Right to Repair" movement, compelling companies to manufacture their products to make it easy for do-it-yourself repairs. Read more...

The European Union is moving closer to enacting a law that will not just require smartphones like the iPhone to have easier battery repairs, but it will also mandate how much of a battery must be reclaimable after recycling.The EU wants to improve the sustainability, durability, and performance of batteriesBy a vote of 587 in favor, nine against, and 20 abstentions, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have approved an agreement made with the Council to revamp European Union regulations about batteries and waste. The legislation represents the most recent endeavor within the "Right to Repair" movement, compelling companies to manufacture their products to make it easy for do-it-yourself repairs. Read more...

The Upgrade Plus offer applies to both the latest 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. | Image: Dan Seifert / The Verge Best Buy is expanding its monthly financing program, Upgrade Plus, to include more Apple devices, the company announced. Starting today, the program will finance the latest 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pros or Apple Watch Ultra to approved customers via Citizens Bank. Much like how Apple lets users “lease” iPhones through its iPhone upgrade program, customers can pay off their iPad Pro or Apple Watch Ultra over an extended period of time. Apple gives iPhone customers 24 months, though, while Upgrade Plus stretches things an additional year. After the three-year period is over, customers have the option of staying in…

Macworld If you are thinking of buying an older iPhone, or wondering whether it’s worth updating your current handset, one important factor to consider is for how long Apple will be offering support for that handset. There are two ways in which Apple supports iPhones. One is the software – ensuring that any bugs and security flaws are addressed. The other is the hardware – providing the parts and labor to fix a problem with your phone (for a price, of course). It’s for this reason that we dissuade people from buying particularly old iPhone handsets. The risk that a fault could occur or that you might be exposed to security risks is too high. The good news is that…

Apple plans to add the original 12-inch MacBook to its obsolete products list on June 30, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors. Once classified as obsolete, the laptop will no longer be eligible for repairs or service at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, as parts will no longer be available. Apple classifies a product as technologically obsolete once more than seven years have passed since the company stopped distributing it for sale. The original 12-inch MacBook was discontinued in April 2016 upon the release of a second-generation model with improved specs, so the laptop recently crossed that seven-year mark. Introduced in March 2015, the 12-inch MacBook featured a thin and light design that weighed just two…