Year: 2018

Apple launches keyboard service program for a ‘small percentage’ of MacBook Pros

Dan Uff June 22, 2018 0

Apple has determined that a small percentage of the keyboards in certain MacBook and MacBook Pro models may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:

Letters or characters repeat unexpectedly
Letters or characters do not appear
Key(s) feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner

Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider will service eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards, free of charge. The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard.

Eligible Models

To identify your computer's model and to see if it is eligible for this program, choose Apple () menu > About This Mac. Eligible models are listed below.

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)

Note: No other Mac notebook models are part of this program.

Service Process

Please choose one of the options below for service. Your MacBook or MacBook Pro will be examined prior to any service to verify that it is eligible for this program.

The type of service will be determined after the keyboard is examined and may involve the replacement of one or more keys or the whole keyboard. The service turn-around time may vary depending upon the type of service and availability of replacement parts.

Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store.
Mail in your device to the Apple Repair Center.

To prepare your unit for service, please backup your data.

Note: If your MacBook or MacBook Pro has any damage which impairs the service, that issue will need to be repaired first. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the repair.

Additional Information

This worldwide Apple program does not extend the standard warranty coverage of your MacBook or MacBook Pro.

If you believe your MacBook or MacBook Pro was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your keyboard repaired, you can contact Apple about a refund.

The program covers eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Source: Apple Support. Document: https://www.apple.com/support/keyboard-service-program-for-macbook-and-macbook-pro/

The U.S. Supreme Court rules cops need warrant for cell phone location data

CompuScoop Staff June 22, 2018 0

Early on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court handed all cell phone owners a victory. The court had to consider if law enforcement needs a warrant in order to get someone's cell phone location data when investigating that person for an offense.

The court has rules that law enforcement does need a warrant for such data.

"Given the unique nature of cell phone location records, the fact that the information is held by a third party does not by itself overcome the user's claim to Fourth Amendment protection," wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the court's 5-4 majority opinion on Carpenter v. United States. Roberts elaborated that obtaining location in data in general should be treated as a search, requiring police to show probable cause.

The court rejected a government claim that the records being held by carriers like Sprint meant there was no reasonable expectation of privacy. "Seismic shifts" have altered our concepts, the court said.

"Sprint Corporation and its competitors are not your typical witnesses," Roberts wrote. "Unlike the nosy neighbor who keeps an eye on comings and goings, they are ever alert, and their memory is nearly infallible."

In the case of Timothy Carpenter, the robbery convict at the heart of the case, police are said to have obtained 12,898 location points, tracking him over a course of 127 days. The American Civil Liberties Union came to his defense.

Canadian man sues Apple for scratches to his Apple Watch….But their is a TWIST

CompuScoop Staff June 22, 2018 0

A Canadian man has filed a lawsuit in small claims court alleging that his Apple Watch has obtained scratches (that HE made) and that proves that the device "is not scratch resistant."

According to iPhone in Canada, Dean Lubacki, 21, has filed a small-claims court application with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, alleging that in marketing the Apple Watch Series 3 as "brilliantly scratch-resistant" is not true, as evidenced by his Watch having been scratched.

Lubacki sought to return his Watch, but was refused, and when he asked to speak to a manager, he was told there was no manager; although one did appear following Lubacki's "fourth and fifth request to speak to management."

"The fact that the back of the Apple Watch attracts the Loop and creates abrasion without action for the consumer is a design flaw," Lubacki wrote in a letter to both Apple's Canadian operation and to Tim Cook. "[The] same abrasion can occur on the screen when the strap is removed to change straps. Again, nowhere Apple says that the loop may damage the watch."

Lubacki filed the claim after Apple did not respond to his letter. He is seeking compensatory damages, for "mental stress, and expenses that occurred because of the case in addition to the time of my life wasted that I will never get back," as well as punitive damages, because Apple "should not get away" with "lying to customers on their website by falsely claiming that a product won't scratch'", on top of "lying to customers to their face and in store."

Claims by Apple and other manufacturers that a product is "scratch-resistant" do not mean that the device will never scratch, especially when a metal is dragged over a glass surface. However, Lubacki seems insistent on putting that assumption to the test in court.

Not backing down

The story also says that following the filing, Apple offered to both replace the Apple Watch and give him a free accessory, but he declined, in order to go ahead with the suit.

An unrelated lawsuit earlier this month claimed that all Apple Watches are defective, due to a defect that "causes the screens on the Watches to crack, shatter, or detach from the body of the Watch."

Intel CEO out after getting caught having relationship with employee

CompuScoop Staff June 21, 2018 0

Intel Corporation today announced the resignation of Brian Krzanich as CEO and a member of the board of directors. The board has named Chief Financial Officer Robert Swan interim chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Intel was recently informed that Mr. Krzanich had a past consensual relationship with an Intel employee. An ongoing investigation by internal and external counsel has confirmed a violation of Intel’s non-fraternization policy, which applies to all managers. Given the expectation that all employees will respect Intel’s values and adhere to the company’s code of conduct, the board has accepted Mr. Krzanich’s resignation.

“The board believes strongly in Intel’s strategy and we are confident in Bob Swan’s ability to lead the company as we conduct a robust search for our next CEO. Bob has been instrumental to the development and execution of Intel’s strategy, and we know the company will continue to smoothly execute. We appreciate Brian’s many contributions to Intel,” said Intel Chairman Andy Bryant in a statement.

As interim CEO, Swan will manage operations in close collaboration with Intel’s senior leadership team. Swan has been Intel’s CFO since October 2016 and leads the global finance, IT and corporate strategy organizations. He previously spent nine years as CFO of eBay Inc. Earlier, he was CFO of Electronic Data Systems Corp. and TRW Inc. He has also served as CEO of Webvan Group Inc.

Swan said in a statement, “Intel’s transformation to a data-centric company is well under way and our team is producing great products, excellent growth and outstanding financial results. I look forward to Intel continuing to win in the marketplace.”

The board has a robust succession planning process in place and has begun a search for a permanent CEO, including both internal and external candidates. The board will retain a leading executive search firm to assist in the process.

Source: Intel Corporation