MacVoices #24002: MVL - Apple Watch Repairs, Beeper's Last Gasp

The MacVoices Live! panel of Chuck Joiner, David Ginsburg, Eric Bolden, Web Bixby, Jeff Gamet, Ben Roethig, and Jim Rea look at the implications for Apple Watch repairs and the import ban, and why this will be the last time we talk about Beeper (we hope). 

This edition of MacVoices is supported by The MacVoices Slack. Available all Patrons of MacVoices. Sign up at Patreon.com/macvoices.

Show Notes:

Chapters:

0:00:00 Apple Watch availability and repair concerns 0:02:28 Introductions and holiday greetings from the panel 0:05:09 Limited availability and repair issues with Apple Watch 0:08:06 Apple's Potential Inability to Repair Watches 0:09:41 Uncertainty Surrounding Replacement Watches and Border Seizures 0:11:02 Import Ban on Watch or Watch Parts? 0:12:23 Creative Solution: Repair Apple Watch in Canada 0:15:14 Apple's Distribution Routes: Direct or via United States? 0:16:16 Purchasing Apple Equipment Abroad and Warranty Concerns 0:17:15 Warranty Issues and Software Restrictions 0:18:41 Complexities of Buying Apple Watches in Canada 0:19:45 Apple Watch Repair Issues and Potential Smuggling 0:26:10 Insecure Connection: The Issue with OnePlus and Mac mini server 0:28:36 Apple's Prerogative: The Decision on iMessage for Android

Links:

Apple Won't Be Able to Repair Out-of-Warranty Apple Watches Due to Import Ban https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/21/apple-watch-import-ban-repair-issue/

Apple Watch ban news hub: Everything we know right now https://9to5mac.com/2023/12/26/apple-watch-ban-news/

Beeper hits out at 'interference by Apple' and threatens to throw in the towel if its iMessage-on-Android app is blocked again  https://www.imore.com/apps/messaging-apps/beeper-hits-out-at-interference-by-apple-and-threatens-to-throw-in-the-towel-if-its-imessage-on-android-app-is-blocked-again

Beeper has more ridiculous work-arounds for its iMessage bridge hack https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/12/21/beeper-has-more-ridiculous-work-arounds-for-its-imessage-bridge-hack

Beeper's CEO wants to sue Apple for blocking its iMessage bridge hack https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/12/20/ceo-claims-beeper-makes-imessage-more-secure-may-sue-apple-for-blocking-it

Beeper Mini Resorts to Jailbreaking iPhones to Rescue Blue Bubbles https://www.macrumors.com/2023/12/21/beeper-mini-jailbroken-iphones-rescue-imessage/

Guests:

Web Bixby has been in the insurance business for 40 years and has been an Apple user for longer than that.You can catch up with him on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Eric Bolden is into macOS, plants, sci-fi, food, and is a rural internet supporter. You can connect with him on Twitter, by email at embolden@mac.com, on Mastodon at @eabolden@techhub.social, and on his blog, Trending At Work.

Jeff Gamet is a technology blogger, podcaster, author, and public speaker. Previously, he was The Mac Observer’s Managing Editor, and the TextExpander Evangelist for Smile. He has presented at Macworld Expo, RSA Conference, several WordCamp events, along with many other conferences. You can find him on several podcasts such as The Mac Show, The Big Show, MacVoices, Mac OS Ken, This Week in iOS, and more. Jeff is easy to find on social media as @jgamet on Twitter and Instagram, jeffgamet on LinkedIn., @jgamet@mastodon.social on Mastodon, and on his YouTube Channel at YouTube.com/jgamet.

David Ginsburg is the host of the weekly podcast In Touch With iOS where he discusses all things iOS, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and related technologies. He is an IT professional supporting Mac, iOS and Windows users. Visit his YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/daveg65 and find and follow him on Twitter @daveg65 and on Mastodon at @daveg65@mastodon.cloud

Jim Rea built his own computer from scratch in 1975, started programming in 1977, and has been an independent Mac developer continuously since 1984. He is the founder of ProVUE Development, and the author of Panorama X, ProVUE's ultra fast RAM based database software for the macOS platform. He’s been a speaker at MacTech, MacWorld Expo and other industry conferences. Follow Jim at provue.com and via @provuejim@techhub.social on Mastodon.

Ben Roethig has been in the Apple Ecosystem since the System 7 Days. He is the a former Associate Editor with Geek Beat, Co-Founder of The Tech Hangout and Deconstruct and currently shares his thoughts on RoethigTech. Contact him on  Twitter and Mastodon.

Brittany Smith is a trained cognitive neuroscientist who provides ADD/ADHD, technology, and productivity coaching through her business, Devise and Conquer, along with companion video courses for folks with ADHD. She’s also the cofounder of The ADHD Guild, a community for nerdy folks with ADHD. She, herself, is a self-designated “well-rounded geek”. She can be found on Twitter as @addliberator, on Mastodon as @addliberator@pdx.social, and on YouTube with tech tips.

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00:00:00 Apple Watch availability and repair concerns 00:02:28 Introductions and holiday greetings from the panel 00:05:08 Limited availability and repair issues with Apple Watch 00:08:05 Apple's Potential Inability to Repair Watches 00:09:40 Uncertainty Surrounding Replacement Watches and Border Seizures 00:11:02 Import Ban on Watch or Watch Parts? 00:12:23 Creative Solution: Repair Apple Watch in Canada 00:15:13 Apple's Distribution Routes: Direct or via United States? 00:16:16 Purchasing Apple Equipment Abroad and Warranty Concerns 00:17:15 Warranty Issues and Software Restrictions 00:18:41 Complexities of Buying Apple Watches in Canada 00:19:45 Apple Watch Repair Issues and Potential Smuggling 00:26:10 Insecure Connection: The Issue with OnePlus and Mac mini server 00:28:36 Apple's Prerogative: The Decision on iMessage for Android