Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) did NOT buy iFixit, as many headlines have proclaimed this morning. It appears to be a very sick joke designed to strike fear into the hearts of everyone who truly appreciates what iFixit does. The site is particularly known for its tear-downs and criticisms of Apple devices because they are especially difficult to take apart and fix.
Perhaps iFixit just wanted to give the tech community yet another jolt in what’s been several weeks marked by comments from those enraged by the “sellouts” of WhatsApp and Oculus VR.
Where the Apple – iFixit joke started
Of course what caught the media’s eye this morning was a big change on iFixit‘s site. The company placed a simple announcement on its home page which states that it will join forces with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) starting over the summer. They even made their site look a lot like Apple’s website in terms of design.
However, a closer look at what it all says should make it obvious that this is nothing but a joke. For example, on iFixit’s home page, it calls AppleCare+ “the only tool you’ll need” and said “why ‘fix it yourself’ when you can upgrade? No need to waste time repairing your Apple device. Upgrade it instead. With iFixit’s help, there will always be a newer, better device for sale.”
Apple found iFixit’s number
And then there’s the alleged press release posted on iFixit’s site. The quote from their CEO should be obvious as well, and it gives us a clue about why they might have decided to play this joke on the tech community today.
“Everyone has a number,” admitted Kyle Wiens, iFixit’s CEO. “I didn’t think there was a reasonable number that would make me say, ‘You know I was going to change the world with repair documentation but here’s a number.’”
The “press release” also states that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has “made a commitment to produce the most replaceable electronic devices and personal computers on the market.” Also it says Apple is “working hard to make devices last long enough to be upgraded or irrelevant, making repairability an antiquated notion.”
The WhatsApp, Oculus connections
We have to question whether iFixit is making a statement about what many consider to be two of the greatest tech sell-outs of all time. Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) recently bought WhatsApp, which is considered by privacy advocates to be a major travesty because WhatsApp is known for its privacy while Facebook, well, isn’t.
And then there is Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s acquisition of Oculus, which has enraged game developers and Kickstarter funders on so many levels. The developer of Minecraft is just one who has changed his mind about creating a version of the game for the Oculus virtual reality headset because he refuses to work with Facebook. But the list of people who are upset about this acquisition is nearly endless.
Obviously if Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) really did buy iFixit, then we could expect a similar amount of outrage. Thankfully though, this can be nothing but a prank because of the sheer ridiculousness of it all. Unfortunately we can’t say the same thing about WhatsApp and (especially) Oculus.
