Repair

The Fairphone Gen 6 is here, and in addition to being repairable at home, it packs a neat little trick. A bright lime green physical slider instantly activates a dumbphone mode so you can focus on more important things than doomscrolling.

Although AI-based restoration methods can indeed bring new life to damaged paintings, the end result is a digital copy of the original painting. By contrast, a new MIT technique applies repairs to the physical painting itself, in the form of a mask.

Makers, tinkerers, modelers and crafters looking for an edge that smoothly cuts through a range of materials like they're all butter might find the NeoBlade of interest – which is claimed to be the world's most compact wireless ultrasonic cutter.

Philips just launched a program to offer up 3D printing files so anyone can produce their own spare parts for its trimmers for free. More brands should follow suit to make their products last longer – and avoid being trashed way before they're due.

Repairable laptop maker Framework just wrapped up its '2nd Gen' event, where it made three major announcements – the most prominent of which is that it's now dipping its toes into desktop PC waters. It's also making a convertible laptop for students.

E Ink tablets are great for those who like to jot, scribble or doodle, and don't want to waste reams of paper. But even modern e-notes can be more sustainable. Supernote's 10-inch Manta model is modular, and can be upgraded or repaired as needed.

Many of the gadgets we use every day have a limited shelf life, and often end up as e-waste before their time. The Dutch company that launched a repairable, upgradeable, sustainable smartphone has now taken the challenge to true wireless earphones.

Whether you're on a bike or in a car, potholes are a problem. Maintenance is costly and labor intensive, but UK authorities have successfully tested a prototype autonomous machine designed to detect and seal surface cracks that can grow into potholes.

Ordinarily, when there's a leak in an underground natural gas pipeline, the affected section of pipe has to be excavated and replaced. Soon, however, a pipe-inspecting and -repairing modular robot may make doing so unnecessary.

Researchers have discovered how a metabolite involved in repairing damaged DNA not only controls a person’s sensitivity to cancer therapies but can also protect healthy tissues from damage. The findings may lead to more effective cancer treatments.

Back in 2013, a Dutch startup launched a smartphone made using ethically sourced materials and designed for extended service life. Now the Fairphone has entered its fifth generation, sporting an OLED display, 50-MP cameras and fast charging.

The 16-inch version of the customizable, repairable and upgradeable laptop announced by California tech startup Framework back in March has now gone up for pre-order, with Ryzen silicon and Radeon graphics leading the component charge.