Despite reports to the contrary, there is no official Apple policy mandating that iPad 4 owners coming into Apple Retail for service receive an iPad Air 2 for the cost of service — but stores have been allowed to make the swap if they have no service stock, and have been for some time.
A small proportion of users with the 2016 MacBook Pro are reporting hearing a pinging, or popping noise, described as similar to that of crushing a plastic bottle, seemingly related to thermal conditions in the laptop.
Reports claiming Apple Stores can't repair the 2016 MacBook Pro because of a lack of diagnostic tools are false, as AppleInsider has been told that stores are fully equipped and trained to perform all required diagnostics and repairs necessary.
Apple has performed what may be a soft launch of a new Apple Service app in the Netherlands, allowing users in that country to schedule Genius Bar appointments, as well as get live chat-based support for Macs, iPads, and iPhones.
A class action suit filing in California complains that "refurbished" service stock replacements doled out by Apple in exchange for damaged devices to AppleCare+ service plan holders are not functionally the same as new.
In a minor policy change regarding how customers schedule Genius Bar appointments via Apple's online support webpage, the company now requires users to sign in with a valid Apple ID.
BMW next year will take a page from Apple's playbook, bringing in young, tech-savvy staffers to help answer customers' questions about vehicles on the showroom. The BMW Geniuses will even carry iPads.
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Mike Wuerthele
AppleInsider Staff
Kevin Bostic
