April 28, 2024

Apple Computer’s Flexgate Issue – An Ongoing Saga

September 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment

As you know, the term “flexgate” has been assigned to a defect affected MacBook Apple computers. Simply put, a ribbon cable that connects the LCD to the motherboard bends and rubs along a ridged edge when the monitor is opened and closed. Over time, the ribbon cable deteriorates resulting in the computer starting, but the screen remaining black.

A quick mention here to those affected. Don’t panic. A quick work around is to connect an external monitor to the MacBook to bypass the defective ribbon/monitor on the computer. This may be difficult for MacBooks not automatically sensing and mirroring the MacBook display to the external monitor. Because you need to see where to click to enable this option, this may be tricky.

If your Flexgate affected MacBook does not automatically see you external monitor, another way to navigate the screen is using an wireless monitor program called Duet.

You still have to have Duet installed on the MacBook (previously) and then run Duet on your iPad. Once you configure this quick-fix, it will automatically connect to the iPad when sensed. So set this up in advance prior to experiencing the Flexgate problem. Note, plugging the iPad into your MacBook using a hard wired USB-C connection is best because it totally triggers the MacBook to complete the connection process to the Duet session.

Being that said, this does not excuse Apple, a trillion dollar company from having to repair a clearly defective design issue on their computers. This is like designing a car engine where when the air-filter fails, you can’t change only the air-filter and have to replace the entire carburetor component.

There have been reports of repair costs from $600 to $300 having Apple fix it, or ordering a replacement panel online respectively.

Additional reports online claim that a class action lawsuit regarding this matter has been resolved in Apple’s favor. However, a closer look at the dismissal of Mahan Taleshpour et al. v. Apple, Inc., United States District Court Northern District of California, Case No. Case 5:20-cv-03122-VKD (initial complaint here) by a California court is less than final. The dismissal appears to target certain legal issues as quoted below:

The judge overseeing the case said that because the defect appeared after the warranty period, Apple was not required to disclose it because it was not a safety issue.

While the lawsuit has been dismissed, the judge is allowing it to be amended. Plaintiffs will need to include an argument that the ‌Flexgate‌ issue was a safety hazard, as well as providing evidence that Apple “knew with certainty that the alleged defect would occur.”

See full article regarding class action decision status here

Below are some key links regarding the defective monitor ribbon cable.

Class Action Lawsuit:
1. PARRIS Law Firm: Apple Hit with Nationwide Class Action Lawsuit Over Macbook Pro’s “Flexgate” Scandal by prnewswire.com dated May 07, 2020, 22:48 ET, <link>

1. MacBook Pro Flexgate Follow Up! Has Apple Addressed The Issue??? by iFixit dated March 7, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aihRru-lCns
2. Flexgate repair – How to fix your MacBook Pro 2016 / 2017 display with no display by PC Vitamins Professional Repairs dated Oct. 26, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czqHyOLHJxc
3. How to Fix Flexgate by Changing Cable Only by Master Liu dated April 3, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYtDVjYNxig

Filed Under: Apple, Flexgate, MacBooks Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

StreXercise Movements Vol 1 Video Project Stage 1 Uploaded

July 5, 2021 by Leave a Comment

==

==
This is a production just finished for StreXercise.com.

The StreXercise movements presented in this video cover core training.

Each move can be expanded to three levels of training simply by adjusting the Double-Pulley Machine from a High, Middle to Low setting.

Each pulley adjustment shifts the StreXercise impacting different anatomical regions.

Since the weight settings for each movement is user dependent, 15 to 25 repetitions should be the guide as to how much resistance to apply during the training.

Since the affected muscles range in capability, adjust weight resistance to accommodate all muscles. This will allow less used muscle systems to catch up to the more commonly used muscles used more frequently. This the power of using variable resistance pulley based machines. Proper application of the amount of resistance, allows all regions of the muscles involved to perform at optimum capacity. Each strengthening, eventually performing symbiotically with the more frequently used regions.

Now, if I can get my son to produce a video of his own that would be something. :).

This is a compilation of ten StreXercise movements.

Equipment: Life Fitness – Double Pulley Machine

A narrated version of these movements where the focus and emphasis points are for these movements will follow in other videos.

===================================
Video Index

Title/Producer Logo: (00:04)
StreXercise Movements Vol. 1 Demonstrated by Michael Uribe

Shoulder Rotations (High Pulley) (00:11)
Form: Side Stance, Upright Posture, Neutral Head/Neck, Taut Torso
Pulley: High (Alt: Low, Middle & High)

Overhead Arm Extensions with Low Cross Over (Outside Arm) (00:40)
Form: Side Stance, Palm In, Taut Torso, Neutral Head/Neck
Pulley: High (Alt: Low, Middle & High)

Overhead Arm Extensions with Low Cross Over (Inside Arm) (01:05)
Form: Side Stance, Inside Arm, Palm Out, Taut Torso, Neutral Head/Neck
Pulley: High (Alt: Low, Middle & High)

Overhead Arm Extensions (Outside Arm)(High Pulley) (01:37)
Form: Side Stance, Palm In/Out, Taut Torso, Neutral Head/Neck
Pulley: High (Alt: Low, Middle & High)

Overhead Arm Extensions (Outside Arm)(Low Pulley) (01:55)
Form: Side Stance, Palm In/Out, Ridged Torso, Neutral Head/Neck
Pulley: Low (Alt: Low, Middle & High)

Forward Reaches (Low Pulley) (2:15)
Form: Front Facing, Rotate Wrist, Bend Knees, Taut Torso, Forward Leaning
Pulley: Low (Low, Middle & High)

Lunged Arm Extensions (Outside Arm)(Palm In) (02:41)
Form: Side Stance, Lunge Shifts, Palm In, Alt Chest/Floor Level Pulls
Pulley: Low (Alt: Low, Middle & High)

Full Body Extensions (Palms Up)(High Pulley)(02:51)
Form: Front Facing, Knee Stabilized, Palms Up, Taut Torso, Narrow Elbows
Pulley: High (Alt: Middle & High)

Backward Arm Press (High Pulley)(03:13)
Form: Away Facing, Knees, Open Chest, Shoulder/Scapula Region Engaged
Pulley: High (Alt: Middle & High)

Forward Chest Backward Arm Passthrough Press (High Pulley)(03:43)
Form: Away Facing, Chest Open, Shoulder/Scapula Engaged, Taut Torso
Pulley: High (High)

Floor Straddle StreXercise (Low Pulley)(04:06)
Form: Facing, Hips & Chest Forward, Legs Apart, Elongated Neutral Core
Pulley: Low (Low)

Floor Hurdle StreXercise (Low Pulley)(04:23)
Form: Facing, Hips & Chest Outward, Alternate Leading Leg, Upright Core
Pulley: Low (Low)

Floor Pike StreXercise (Low Pulley)(04:38)
Form: Facing, Legs Neutral Slightly Apart, Torso/Shoulders Elongated
Pulley: Low (Low)

Floor Hurdle StreXercise (Low Pulley)(04:48)
Form: Facing, Hips & Chest Outward, Alternate Leading Leg, Upright Core
Pulley: Low (Low)

Floor Butterfly StreXercise (Low Pulley)(04:56)
Form: Facing, Hips & Chest Outward, Legs Bent, Feet Together, Neutral Core
Pulley: Low (Low)

Floor Tuck StreXercise (Low) (05:03)
Form: Facing, Torso/Shoulders/Head/Neck Arms Neutral Elongated
Pulley: Low (Low)

End Credits (05:10)
© 2021 StreXercise.com
Produced by Michael Uribe

Filed Under: StreXercise Movements Vol 1, Video Tagged With:

WEIZE 12v100Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery Open Box (In Progress)

August 14, 2020 by 2 Comments

Hey guys!

Thanks for checking out my latest video on the WEIZE 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Rechargeable Battery.

I’ve completed up to the third part, “A Closer Look” below is an index of the sections available for viewing.

—————–
This Video Contains up to the Open the Box Segment for the full video.

1. Intro (00:00)
2. Open the Box (00:30)
3. A Closer Look (12m16s)
4. Conclusion (Pending)

The Open the Box segment shows me opening the box for the item as it was shipped to me.

I inspect the packaging, item itself, any accessories, and product literature, to include warranty and company information inside the box.

Issues so far is that there was no User Manual, Warranty or Company Information inside the box.

This was very suspicious to say the least, but is consistent with the limited information on the original Amazon listing for the item.

The original listing, as of August 13, 2020, shows the item is no longer available. The listing further removed WEIZE as the seller/shipper for the item.

Not having any user manual, warranty or company information is clearly an ommission of key information inconsistent with traditional reputable business practices which normally include information about the product, and of course, about the company.

I’ll continue to search for information pertaining to the WEIZE battery company. They sell a number of regular batteries and it will be surprising that all of the other boxes did not include their information.

File: 20200623 0943 Weize Open Box Combo 02A Up to Open the Box (03m07s)
* Includes up to Open the Box segment.

(PID: 20200623_0943)

Filed Under: WEIZE Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

MyLaptopStand – An ongoing discussion

November 23, 2019 by 4 Comments

Purchase here.

The item is listed as:

Executive Office Solutions Portable Adjustable Aluminum Laptop Desk/Stand/Table Vented w/CPU Fans Mouse Pad Side Mount-Notebook-MacBook-Light Weight Ergonomic TV Bed Lap Tray Stand Up/Sitting-Black

 

Testimonials:

Many of you have seen me use this stand at Starbucks or another coffee shop.

Yes, I admit, and as you all have said, it is a bit of an unusual setup.

But it’s ergonomic. 

By the way, since I started linking mylaptopstand back to Amazon, there have been many “copy cat” models developed and which you may see in the listings. 

I took a quick look, and they all seem about the same. You’ll have to pick-and-choose on your own, thinking about what exactly you may need your laptop stand to do for you.

So feel free to click on the affiliate links on this page. So if you do decide to buy the laptop stand, please use the links to support my efforts.

 

Filed Under: Laptop Stands, Store Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Three Flash Tests in Direct Sun (Post Production)

July 23, 2019 by Leave a Comment

In this episode I test out three flashes to see how they perform when used in direct sun.

The Flashpoint Zoom Li-Ion R2 TTL, Streaklight 360 and XPLOR600 are all taken through a simple field test to see how they can provide fill flash when shooting a subject in direct sun.

Determining the capability of your flashes in direct sun conditions is a good exercise to do to be able to decide which flash to use on your next shoot.

[PID: 20190628_1722]

Filed Under: Flashpoint, StreakLight 360, XPLOR600 TTL, Zoom Li-Ion R2 TTL Tagged With: , , , , ,

Apple Watch Red Exclamation Mark Crash – Getting Apple to Fix if for Free

July 9, 2019 by 1 Comment

Red X Crash


(June 5, 2019 19:30 p.m.) In this video I discuss my experience working with Apple Support to fix an Apple Watch Red Exclamation Mark (REM) crash screen on a Series 2 model Apple watch.

For the impatient, please jump to a section in my outline below of key points of interest in the video.

Outline:

00:01 Begin Program
00:20 MMM Logo
00:28 Main Program Begins
00:45 Contact / Telephone No. for Apple Support
02:00 Show Apple Watch Startup to REM crash
10:34 Breaking News: Shipping Box received from Apple Support
13:24 Mailing Address and Location of Apple Repair Center
14:29 Breaking News: Repaired Watch Received back from Apple Support
17:40 First Start of Repaired Watch
20:03 Wrap up and final remarks

Otherwise, this is a medium paced 20 minute video I discuss the various challenges I had getting Apple Support to fix what the called a “catastrophic” condition on the watch.

The REM condition has been talked about at length on various internet forums and articles presenting the REM as a well publicized problem that Apple should already know about.

However, during the call I experienced a lot of “hoop” jumping prior to finally getting Apple to undertake the process of fixing their defective product.

After researching the REM problem, it was apparent to me that it was much like a failed air-bag on a vehicle. In such a case, the vehicle manufacturer recalled the vehicles and then fixed the problem at no cost to the customer. It would be absurd, and inconsistent with industry standards, in the case of my example of a failed air-bag, to require the owner of the vehicle to fix the defective air-bag problem while assuming the costs of same.

So it was interesting to navigate around Apple Support’s very professionally done “hoop” jumping obstacle course during the call. Even after explaining to the support representative the exact description of the problem, that being the REM defect.

Then there were a series of frustrating bog downs during the call. Long waits, security processes conducted on the device, use of Find My iPhone, caller verification, personal information acquisition and a feeling that somehow you did not have the right to have Apple fix the watch for free.

In any case, I hope after watching this video, you may be encouraged to pursue your claim for Apple Support repair services without having to pay to fix the REM.

This also is a warning to do a little research before calling Apple Support for services regarding your device. You may find your issue may be a known issue, and/or a defective product situation.
If not, Apple Support surely will try to capitalize on your lack of knowledge during the call. In my experience, they worked the service request as a standard “Warranty” or “Service Charge” matter until you indicate otherwise by talking about specific references either from public or from Apple themselves. That is, the person taking your call may play the “I didn’t know it was a known issue” card.

Good luck.

(Media File: 20190605 1930 Apple Watch REM Crash V12 Sections 20A b5B)

Filed Under: Apple, Apple Watch, Series 2 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

ImageAcquisitions Product Photography Youtube Slideshows

June 30, 2019 by Leave a Comment

This is a compilation of various videos of mainly product photography under the ImageAcquisitions youtube channel.

ImageAcquisitions Product Photography

Produced by
Michael Uribe

Filed Under: Photography, Product Photography

K2 Broadway Inline Skates Cuffs Removal Modification

May 29, 2019 by Leave a Comment

K2 Broadway Inline Skates Cuffs Removal modification.(May 29, 2019 9:00 p.m.) In this video I modify a pair of new K2 Broadway Inline Skates by removing the plastic cuffs. I go into the process of removing the cuffs, and then test the final results on the Seminole Wekiva Trail here in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

The cuff removal process is rather straight forward, and only involves removing four rivet stile attachments which secure the cuffs to the skates.

Because the upper portion of the K2 Broadway’s “soft boot” is still rather stiff, removal of the cuffs result in little or no reduction in support.

Future modification to the skates to the boots are still needed to provide more freedom of movement in the ankle when elongating the leg forward and permit the skate to keep all four wheels on the ground.

For now, the cuff removal modification served its purpose. Additional tweaks to the skates are planned to improve mobility and increase flexibility expanding intricate movement opportunities for an enriched skating experience.

[PID: 20190430 1500 K2 Broadway Skates Cuff Removal v9]

Filed Under: K2 Tagged With: , , , , ,

AdBlocker Ultimate Limited to Working with iPad Safari, not Chrome

March 29, 2019 by Leave a Comment

AdBlocker Ultimate Home Page Screenshot(Mar. 29, 2019) I was annoyed having recent online purchases and product viewing activity result in stalking-like targeted advertising while surfing the web.

I typically use Google Chrome on a 2019 iPad and have grown increasingly discussed by the targeted advertising layered on every page I viewed. Tantamount to stalking like behavior.

Frustrated, I quickly searched the Apple store and found a reasonably interesting prospective app called AdBlocker Ultimate.

After downloading and installing it, I followed the instructions to enable it.

I would soon realize, however, there would be no options to enable the App to work with Google Chrome, my preferred iPad browser app.

Well that sucked. 

Continuing on. After enabling the app, I reluctantly opened Safari to see how AdBlocker Ultimate worked. Well, it actually did work. Only in Safar, however.AdBlocker Ultimate webpage before

Interestly, it seemed to block the adds I have grown to hate. Instead of the adds, white  space is shown. Better than nothing for now.

Wanting the app to work in Chrome, I scrolled down into the App configuration area and clicked on the Google Chrome app icon.

AdBlocker Ultimate webpage with blocked advertisements resulting in white space areas.There, however, were no settings to enable AdBlocker Ultimate in Chrome.

Looking at this app’s description in the Apple Apps store, I discovered there was no language describing which browsers it works with. This was an indirect confirmation to me that AdBlocker Ultimate was not as diversified as I thought to potentially be that one-stop add-blocker for all my iPad browsing.
 
Apps normally highlight key functionality in their descriptions for marketing purposes. AdBlocker Ultimate did not. In fact, there is no mention of any browser compatibility mentioned in the description.
 
Unless otherwise determined, this app appears designed to work with Apple safari and does not integrate with the Google Chrome browser App on an iPad.
 
Update pending.
Filed Under: Apple, iPad, Software

Power Bright 2300watt Inverter Open Box and Install

February 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Currently working on an open box video and install of a Power Bright 2300w 12v to 120v Inverter into a 2018 Ford Transit 250 Cargo Van.

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL (Feb. 21, 2019) Currently working on an open box video and install of a Power Bright 2300w 12v to 120v Inverter into a 2018 Ford Transit 250 Cargo Van.

[Ref: PID: 20190221_1100]

Filed Under: Open Box, Power Bright Tagged With: , , , ,
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