Over four iPhones are bought every second. Sprint’s iPhone for Life plan lets Apple fans rent their favourite phone, and get an upgrade whenever a new model comes out. But what impact will it have on brand loyalty, and how does it reflect changing attitudes towards ownership?

Electrical goods are the fastest increasing waste stream in the UK, growing by 5% annually. Registered charity The Restart Project challenges our disposable conditioning, and as repair culture spreads, how realistic is it to invest in a mend rather than replace attitude?

‘Til death us do part’ is usually reserved for weddings. But as sustainability becomes a bigger concern, it could be applied to our prized possessions, from cashmere jumpers to iPhones. But how achievable is this in a world where acquiring and upgrading are the status quo?

From the NSA scandal to the ‘white lies’ people often tell themselves, the world seems riddled with more deceit than ever. We sat down with acclaimed behavioural economist Dan Ariely to learn more about the driving forces behind dishonesty.

While we might be able to stream music through Spotify, borrow a Zipcar, and rent a designer handbag, the tech industry lags behind, locking consumers into expensive devices that’ll be obsolete in months. Can ByeBuy’s pay-as-you-go model for renting gadgets break the upgrade cycle?

Technology brands like Apple have become so desirable that we’ve almost forgotten they sell products built to break, thereby keeping people shopping. But the backlash against planned obsolescence is swelling, and a new generation of design brands are creating pieces made to last.

Whether austerity, environmental concerns or the need for tangible achievement, consumers wanting a more hands-on approach to consumption can now turn to the Fixperts – designers keen to help the public understand how to fix everyday grievances.

'Tim's Laptop Service Manuals' is a site containing manufacturer service manuals for laptops in pdf form that recently received a cease-and-desist letter from Toshiba. Making repairs expensive and inconvenient will encourage a culture of disposal.