Apple Preparing to Upgrade AppleCare with 24/7 Chat Support, Revamped Website

Wednesday August 7, 2013 8:33 am PDT by Eric Slivka

Apple is preparing to launch several enhancements to its AppleCare services including 24/7 access to chat support services, reports 9to5Mac . The company is reportedly planning to launch the expanded chat services on August 12, although that target date may not yet be firm.

Alongside the expanded chat services, Apple will also be launching a redesigned AppleCare support website, featuring large, easy-to-click buttons similar to those that have appeared in other areas of the company's site.

The interface has been retooled with large, easy-to-understand controls that are more in line with the colorful icons in iOS. The new design makes it simpler for users to drill-down and provide Apple with information about the issue.

applecare_website_revamp
Apple is in the middle of a significant revamp of its AppleCare services, making plans to shift to per-user subscription offerings rather than specific device coverage. The company is also making a move to perform more repairs rather than replacements on iPhones at its retail store Genius Bars, as seen with the new iPhone 5 display replacement program.

Tag: 9to5Mac

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Top Rated Comments

9secondadidas

171 months ago

heh

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

InfoTime

171 months ago

Not sure that I consider support via chat to be an upgrade.

Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Chupa Chupa

171 months ago

I cannot think of a worse thing to do than to add CHAT...I want to have a dialog with someone....chat is for teenagers.

Says the supposedly mature person who feels it necessary to grab attention by posting in red text and caps.

Teenage conversations are for teenagers, regardless of the medium. The medium doesn't control the quality of the content of the message. Adults can have discussions on chat just as they do in email or other written correspondence.

Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

69650

171 months ago

Apple is in the middle of a significant revamp of its AppleCare services, making plans to shift to per-user subscription offerings rather than specific device coverage.

I hope we hear more about this move soon. The cost of those AppleCare plans really mount up when you buy a lot of Apple kit.

I still think they should offer a standard 2 year warranty on all their products given the premium pricing.

Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)