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Why Apple makes it nearly impossible to fix your own iPhone

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This opened iPhone X looks a lot like a snake's mouth. That's appropriate.
This opened iPhone X looks a lot like a snake's mouth. That's appropriate.
Photo: iFixit

Whenever a new iPhone or iPad is released, Apple gets criticized for how hard it is to work on. Special tools are required and everything is glued together. Replacing your own screen or battery is nigh impossible.

But it turns out the company is doing you a favor. Because iPhone repair is surprisingly dangerous.

Your 13-inch MacBook Pro might need its battery replaced

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Mac
Anyone who bought a 13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) in the last year and a half should check if it needs a new battery.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple admits that some MacBook Pro laptops have a problem that causes their batteries to swell up. The company is replacing these free of charge.

This affects only the non-touchbar version of the macOS laptop, and only models with a 13-inch screen. In addition, the device needs to have been produced in a specific timeframe.

Swollen batteries in Apple Watch 2 get free repairs

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Apple Watch battery
An overcharged Apple Watch battery can begin to swell up. If this happens, it needs to be replaced.
Photo: iFixIt

The battery in an Apple Watch 2 can fail, and even swell up. This is a rare problem, but Apple will fix the watch if it occurs.

Swelling is a problem that has long plagued lithium-ion batteries from laptops, phones, and other electronics. The only fix is a replacement of the battery.

Apple batteries could get a whole lot more powerful

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Apple batteries
Even Apple batteries wear out, but longer-lived ones are close to release.
Photo: Apple

A new type of battery promises 20 percent to 40 percent more storage capacity. Even better, one of the companies behind the research has ties to Apple, so the improved lithium-silicon batteries are likely to show up in iPhone and iPad.

iPhone 4s sparked house fire, lawsuit claims

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iPhone 4s
A lawsuit claims the battery of an iPhone 4s is responsible for a house fire.
Photo: Apple

The insurance company for a Wisconsin man is suing Apple claiming his iPhone 4s caused a house fire last year that left significant property damage.

The lawsuit, filed recently by Xai Thao and State Farm insurance company, blamed a faulty lithium ion battery in the handset for causing the fire. Thao says the iPhone 4s contained the original factory battery.

Get more power to chew on with Gum Plus [Deals]

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redesign_gum_mf123

When a product wins both Red Dot Design and iF product design awards you have to take notice. We definitely did, and jumping on board with Gum Plus became easy.

Gum Plus is a stylish portable backup battery for iPod, iPhone, iPad and USB-powered devices. Unlike most backup batteries, the Gum Plus is Apple-certified. The aluminum shell makes this high capacity battery backup a durable and elegant looking unit that will provide you with all the charge you need for your fast paced lifestyle. And Cult of Mac Deals has the Gum Plus for just $64.95!