Hacking Apple: putting the power of tech back into our hands

From Bristol to Sheffield, diverse groups of makers, fixers and techies are creating more self-reliant communities

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Giant brands like Apple and Samsung dominate the technology we use in our day-to-day lives. Apple, for example, recently reported its most profitable year, while Samsung is the brand of choice for singer Rihanna as she launches her latest album, Anti.

In an era of unbridled consumption, where big tech companies appear mightier than ever, it's easy to feel disenfranchised. This is no accident, as companies use methods like the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to prevent us from unlocking smartphones and repairing laptops. The result is millions of tonnes of e-waste, with our devices generally difficult to upgrade, fix or repurpose.