There are two tiny screws you have to remove from the bottom of an iPhone 4 if you want to take off the backplate and get inside the device.
You may want to do this to put on a new back, or replace the (according to apple, non-replaceable) battery, or just to have a look around inside. Why shouldn't you. It's your phone, isn't it? Even if it might invalidate your warranty.
Well, Apple definitely doesn't want you in there and the company that famously keeps as much control over its products as it can is now going to amazing lengths to shut you out.
Those two tiny screws have always been the common-or-garden Phillips screws - the ones with a cross where you put the screwdriver.
But now, if you take your iPhone 4 into an Apple shop to be repaired, chances are those two Phillips screws will be removed and two Pentalobe screws will replaced them. Pentalobe screws have a strangely-shaped head and finding a screwdriver to fit them is almost impossible.
It's also reported that some new iPhones have the P-screws already fitted.
Most people believe it's Apple's latest ruse to stop the growing business of buying third-party batteries and replacing the Apple-fitted ones.
Come on, Apple. Is it really worth the trouble?
PS: If you still want to liberate your iPhone battery, the FixIt website has an "iPhone Liberation Kit", including Pentalobe screwdriver, for $10.
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