Google has come forward to do its part to help Hurricane Harvey victims. The search giant has teamed up with uBreakiFix to offer free Pixel repairs to owners whose Pixel phones were damaged by floodwaters in the Houston area.
Free Pixel repairs for flood victims
Earlier this month, Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas with widespread flooding in the Houston area and surrounding communities. In terms of damage, Hurricane Harvey is considered one of the the worst disasters the U.S. has ever faced, with insurers estimating the cost of damage at up to $100 billion, notes Engadget. Many families were displaced, and many suffered damages to their personal property, including their phones.
Unlike many other Android phones on the market, the Pixel and Pixel XL are not waterproof. Google understands that floods could have damaged many users’ Pixel phones. Thus, to help such users, Google is taking the help of local repair shops to offer free Pixel repairs.
Google has teamed up with uBreakiFix for the cause. You may remember that uBreakiFix is the repair business that Google partnered with shortly after the launch of the Pixel phones. The partnership allowed the company to offer same-day Pixel repairs for users in the U.S. and Canada.
“In an effort to provide some small relief to our customers and friends in the Houston area who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey, we’ve teamed up with Google to offer free repairs on all Pixels,” reads a post on uBreakiFix’s website. “Our hearts go out to the city of Houston and the surrounding communities.”
The free Pixel repairs will be offered on both Pixel models for users in the affected area. This comes as a nice gesture, considering that a simple screen replacement on a Pixel costs about $130 from uBreakiFix. Google’s free repair offer will remain valid through September 30. Affected users can walk in or book an appointment at any of these uBreakiFix locations to get their device repaired: West Chase, Rice Village, Pasadena, Sugar Land, The Heights, Webster and Pearland.
Apple is also doing its part
Apple is also reportedly offering free iPhone repairs to users whose devices might have gotten damaged during Hurricane Harvey, notes Ubergizmo.
9to5 recently wrote, “Readers in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey are reporting that in at least some cases Apple is offering free repairs to water-damaged devices, as well as those which suffered impact damage during the evacuation. Neither type of damage would normally be covered under warranty.”
Free repairs are not the only way Apple is helping victims of Hurricane Harvey. The iPhone maker has already made a donation toward relief efforts and is also soliciting donations through iTunes. The company has also promised to match donations made by its employees for the cause. Tim Cook also noted that Coast Guard helicopters are using iPads for mapping and coordination, notes BGR.
Mobile carriers are also offering free services to customers hit by the natural disaster. According to The Christian Post, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, even though they are busy working to restore service in the affected areas, are offering free unlimited service to help users keep in touch with their loved ones.
