Set as Homepage - Add to Favorites

【1992 Archives】

Source：Defense Information Network Editor：Digital Culture Time：2025-06-26 11:16:51

Why would anyone want to purchase a smartphone outright when they992 Archivesinstead just rent it indefinitely?

That seems to be the thinking of Apple, which is reportedly working on a hardware subscription service that would allow customers to pay recurring fees in exchange for access to the latest iPhone. So notes Bloomberg in a report that, while admittedly light on specifics, suggests Apple is eyeing a future in which owning an iPhone isn't a prerequisite to getting locked into the Apple apps and services ecosystem.

We reached out to Apple in an attempt to confirm Bloomberg's reporting, as well as with a host of questions about the company's timeline and plans. A company spokesperson declined to comment.

You May Also Like

If confirmed, Apple wouldn't be the first tech company to push toward a subscription model. Way back in 2013, Adobe, the maker of the widely popular photo-editing software Photoshop, ceased selling its software outright and began requiring customers to pay a monthly access fee.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!
SEE ALSO: Apple's digital ID is finally here, and so are the privacy concerns

Now, it's important to note that nowhere in Bloomberg's reporting does it claim Apple would stop selling phones. Even so, reactions were swift.

"So bringing back iPhone upgrade program? I tried that once and I *hated* paying monthly for my phone and vowed to never do it again," wrote Karissa Bell, a senior editor at Engadget.

Others merely bemoaned the general trend away from actual device ownership, which brings with it all sorts of implied right-to-repair issues.

Apple's exact hardware subscription plans remain a mystery at this point. But perhaps in the face of a viscerally negative customer response, Apple will show some courage and go ahead with it anyway.

Topics Apple iPhone

Previous：WhatsApp launches 'Advanced Chat Privacy' to protect sensitive conversations

Next：NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for April 17: Tips to solve Connections #206

Related Articles
Related Recommendations
Categories
Latest Articles
Popular Articles
Hot Recommendations
Featured Column

Quick Links

Signal, Snowden's favorite private messenger, is testing a video call feature'Rocket League' is really growing this yearTrump starring in weird ads for socks and pizza? Feels like a long time ago.How AI is locating an endangered bird species missing for over a decadeStar Trek: Deep Space 9 documentary in the worksGeorge Lopez faces Twitter's rage for an antiSupplier that built the Note7's explosion'Call of Duty' developer takes us on a tour of the new Zombies mapKylie JennerPushing a tennis ball out of a snake is a tricky, and gross, operationTrump's attack on Nordstrom over Ivanka gets the POTUS Twitter boostBrilliant Control smart light switch is a home smart hubTrump starring in weird ads for socks and pizza? Feels like a long time ago.Not even Donald Trump's antics can help Twitter at this pointOakland Raiders roast each other on Twitter with savage celebrity lookLady Gaga addresses all the nonsense body shaming she received after the Super BowlWhen 44 men tried to silence Elizabeth Warren, she took her voice to Facebook LiveTwitter has a grand old time with Trump's unfinished sentenceGamers donated over $70,000 to get 'Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3' to Evo 2017Season 5 of 'Orange is the New Black' gets release date, trailer 'Rogue One' star Diego Luna really wants to touch Jabba the Hutt French grocery store Monoprix parodies Amazon Go in new ad campaign A glossary of 2016, the words that defined the year YouTube reportedly considering overhauls to kids content New browser plug Volkswagen's electric race car set another speed record In farewell interview, Obama gets real on Trump, Russia and race relations How to download the iOS 13 public beta on your iPhone New iOS 13 feature helps you purge unwanted app subscriptions Which states in America have the best and worst internet? Spotify Premium vs. Apple Music: What's the best value? Walmart's using AI Detective stops press conference to tackle some guy running past First reactions to Marvel's 'Spider Waymo's autonomous cars will drive outside the US for the first time Rogue kangaroo smashes through a window and onto a sleeping couple's bed 'OlabeatsUber' trends on Indian Twitter for all the wrong reasons Everything coming to (and going from) Netflix in July 2019 Nissan's ice cream truck concept is all 'Harry Potter: Wizards Unite' disappoints with rough debut: Review

2.3286s , 10108.4375 kb

Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【1992 Archives】,Defense Information Network  

Sitemap

Top

Quick Links