In his apology, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence pledged the company would keep legacy products updated with bug fixes and security patches for as long as possible. | ClassyPictures/Shutterstock
The leader of electronics manufacturer Sonos apologized amid controversy over his company’s decision to end software updates for old smart speaker systems, assuring customers the devices won’t become obsolete.
In Olympia, Wash., right-to-repair proponents and opponents testified during a Jan. 21 hearing in front of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. | jfergusonphotos/Shutterstock
Electronics repair stakeholders clashed over right-to-repair legislation in Washington state this week, as a number of state legislatures begin taking up similar bills.
U.S. smart speaker brand Sonos made recycling-related waves recently. | Vantage_DS/Shutterstock
From tiny startups to one of the world’s most valuable companies, electronics manufacturers have made reuse- and recycling-related headlines in recent weeks. The following is a handful of notable developments.
Since the program launched in April, it has refurbished 34,000 devices for resale back into the domestic market. | Courtesy of Skullcandy.
A manufacturer and a California processor are working together to process returned audio equipment for reuse and recycling.
Apple stated it does not act to “block” customers from choosing non-Apple-authorized repair shops. | Goran Bogicevic/Shutterstock
Apple, which is often criticized for adopting policies hampering independent repair, recently responded to questions from Congress on right-to-repair and other topics.
HP and other electronics manufacturers recently made recycling- and repair-related announcements. | BalkansCat/Shutterstock
A brand owner unveiled a printer made with 30% recycled plastic from old electronics, and iFixit gives better marks for a new Microsoft laptop.
The following are a few recent announcements from OEMs:
E-plastics recycling: HP introduced the HP Tango Terra printer, which is partially made with recycled e-plastics (30% recycled content). The device also uses cartridges made from recycled resin, including plastic that’s at risk of entering the ocean. HP and global processor Sims Recycling Solutions have a partnership focused on recycling e-plastics. HP is also involved in recovering plastics in Haiti that are at risk of washing into the sea.
Foldable phone unveiled: One OEM continues to roll out phones you can fold up, a sign of product shifts the e-scrap industry will be seeing in the coming years. PCMag.com reports Samsung demonstrated a smartphone that can be folded in one of two directions. PCMag noted the company has already marketed the Galaxy Fold but its high price and mediocre reviews limited its success. The publication also noted the first Galaxy Fold devices to be sent out for review earlier this year experienced durability problems.
Repairability improvement: The new Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is “a radical change for the better” in terms of repairability, according to Kyle Wiens of iFixit. The repair hub graded the device a 5 out of 10 for repairability, 5 points higher than the previous version of the laptop. The company noted the “opening procedure is straightforward, with a clever design that represents a dramatic improvement over its predecessors.” Still, it noted the computer has a “firmly glued-down battery.” In October, iFixit also released teardown guides rating repairability for the Apple Watch Series 5, Google Pixel 4 XL and the OnePlus 7T.
In his apology, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence pledged the company would keep legacy products updated with bug fixes and security patches for as long as possible. | ClassyPictures/Shutterstock
The leader of electronics manufacturer Sonos apologized amid controversy over his company’s decision to end software updates for old smart speaker systems, assuring customers the devices won’t become obsolete.
In Olympia, Wash., right-to-repair proponents and opponents testified during a Jan. 21 hearing in front of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. | jfergusonphotos/Shutterstock
Electronics repair stakeholders clashed over right-to-repair legislation in Washington state this week, as a number of state legislatures begin taking up similar bills.
U.S. smart speaker brand Sonos made recycling-related waves recently. | Vantage_DS/Shutterstock
From tiny startups to one of the world’s most valuable companies, electronics manufacturers have made reuse- and recycling-related headlines in recent weeks. The following is a handful of notable developments.
Since the program launched in April, it has refurbished 34,000 devices for resale back into the domestic market. | Courtesy of Skullcandy.
A manufacturer and a California processor are working together to process returned audio equipment for reuse and recycling.
Apple stated it does not act to “block” customers from choosing non-Apple-authorized repair shops. | Goran Bogicevic/Shutterstock
Apple, which is often criticized for adopting policies hampering independent repair, recently responded to questions from Congress on right-to-repair and other topics.
HP and other electronics manufacturers recently made recycling- and repair-related announcements. | BalkansCat/Shutterstock
A brand owner unveiled a printer made with 30% recycled plastic from old electronics, and iFixit gives better marks for a new Microsoft laptop.
The following are a few recent announcements from OEMs:
E-plastics recycling: HP introduced the HP Tango Terra printer, which is partially made with recycled e-plastics (30% recycled content). The device also uses cartridges made from recycled resin, including plastic that’s at risk of entering the ocean. HP and global processor Sims Recycling Solutions have a partnership focused on recycling e-plastics. HP is also involved in recovering plastics in Haiti that are at risk of washing into the sea.
Foldable phone unveiled: One OEM continues to roll out phones you can fold up, a sign of product shifts the e-scrap industry will be seeing in the coming years. PCMag.com reports Samsung demonstrated a smartphone that can be folded in one of two directions. PCMag noted the company has already marketed the Galaxy Fold but its high price and mediocre reviews limited its success. The publication also noted the first Galaxy Fold devices to be sent out for review earlier this year experienced durability problems.
Repairability improvement: The new Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is “a radical change for the better” in terms of repairability, according to Kyle Wiens of iFixit. The repair hub graded the device a 5 out of 10 for repairability, 5 points higher than the previous version of the laptop. The company noted the “opening procedure is straightforward, with a clever design that represents a dramatic improvement over its predecessors.” Still, it noted the computer has a “firmly glued-down battery.” In October, iFixit also released teardown guides rating repairability for the Apple Watch Series 5, Google Pixel 4 XL and the OnePlus 7T.
The 17th annual E-Scrap Conference kicked off Monday at the Hilton Orlando in Florida. | E-Scrap Conference/Brian Adams Photography.
On the opening day of the E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show, a series of workshops brought attendees up to speed on some of the most critical topics in electronics recovery.
Rare earth metals from production scrap will make their way into Apple iPhones. | MikeDotta/Shutterstock
Apple will start using post-industrial recycled rare earths in its iPhones, a company executive told Reuters.
The 2019 E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show is less than two weeks away, and we’re giving you one last interview with an industry leader set to take to the stage in Orlando.
Independent repair firms will soon be able to more easily tackle Apple devices. | Kevin Khoo/Shutterstock
Apple will make official repair resources for common out-of-warranty iPhone repairs available to a larger number of independent repair shops.