The New York State Senate has voted to pass right to repair legislation that could force Apple and other companies to make it easier for customers and repair shops to fix their devices.
The state Legislature advanced bills in its final days that would have toughened New York’s antitrust laws and given consumers greater power to independently fix their electronics. Both efforts ultimately fell short.
The two bills passed the Senate this week but did not receive a vote…
If only there was a way for New York lawmakers to ease the burden of the state’s ridiculously high taxes, infuse small businesses and boost employment with some…
Created: May 06, 2021 10:08 PM
HONEOYE FALLS, N.Y. (WHEC) On any given day, you ll find Jessa Jones peering through a microscope, examining and fixing damaged cell phones and tablets from her repair shop, iPad Rehab, in Honeoye Falls.
Jones has a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics. She became an expert on smartphone repairs accidentally when one of her children dropped her iPhone in the toilet. She knew the Apple Store wouldn t repair the water-damaged phone, so she taught herself to fix it. It took me two years to fix that phone, Jones said. And along the way, I bought a microscope and learned how to figure out how circuit boards work and I learned a lot of skills, messed up a lot of stuff along the way, but ultimately, fixed that phone and now that s what we do for people from all over the world.
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New York officials and consumer activists say it should be easier for the average person and small business to repair certain electronics.
The Digital Fair Repair Act allows individuals and small businesses to repair digital devices ranging from smartphones, computers, farm equipment to household appliances.
Backers say products from companies like Apple and Samsung can only be repaired by the manufacturer or by a sanctioned third party, often so expensive a fix that it makes more sense to purchase a new device.
Louis Rossman owns a fix-it shop in Manhattan and he firmly supports the legislation, citing a 2019 MacBook that retails for $2,000.