Q: FaceTime camera stopped working

And I should pay for something they broke? (On the other hand, since Apple is clearly at fault, here in Europe they will have to fix it as it's within 3 years)

Interesting logic - apple breaks something with an upgrade - in this case probably the driver for the camera. If I can't fix it myself, then I have to pay Apple to fix it. Good business model I suppose but lousy for customer loyalty. Good thing  comment matadors are not calling the shots at Apple.

Yes I understand and confirm that it is a good thing comment matadors are not calling the shots, but I won't be so presumptuous or arrogant  as to assume the same of the comment matadors. They seem to have difficulty with irony anyway.

Exactly my point.

That it’s a good thing comment matadors aren’t calling the shots at Apple, I can wholeheartedly and without reserve agree.

You seem though to disagree that Apple should fix at its own expense, problems it causes in updates - I say ’seem’ as, from you responses, I can’t quite make out if you’ve read the earlier posts very carefully. But nevermind. Fortunately for all of us, I can say that Apple agrees with me on this point. My local Apple store have confirmed that my problem was caused by the latest update, most likely a driver issue as suspected. I simply rang them up. If this isn’t taken care of in the next incremental update, then other compensation will be offered as the machine is just 2 years old.

So, my issue is solved. The User tips posted here earlier were very helpful. The comment matador, an amusing diversion

A final follow up: finally got round to actually taking my MacBook to Apple (the camera's not THAT important). They simply replaced the entire screen, in order to replace the camera. Never got any firm answer as to what the actual issue was - Apple doesn't DO that, but given that it is unlikely so many cameras would physically fail at the same time and given an off-the record hint I got, seems like it was a driver, or some software infrastructure, with some variants of the camera plus the Mavericks update. At any rate, Apple swallowed a repair worth some 600€ as the machine was only 2 years old. Less you think Apple was being altruistic - consumer laws in the EU mandate such resolutions.

For those of you still having problems - a suggestion: Don't waste your time here, re-installing Mavericks, re-setting SMS and run-arounds. Just take it to the shop. If you lack consumer rights - you're screwed.

A little extra info regarding your rights as a consumer in the EU:

Free of charge, two-year guarantee (legal guarantee)

"Whether you bought the goods in a shop or online, under EU rules you always have the right to a minimum two-year guarantee period at no cost. This 2-year guarantee is only your minimum right and national rules in your country may give you extra protection. Remember that any deviation from EU rules must always be to the consumer's benefit. If an item you bought anywhere in the EU turns out to be faulty or does not look or work as advertised, the seller must repair or replace it free of charge or give you a full refund or reduction in price. In some EU countries you will be offered the choice between all four remedies from the outset. Otherwise you will be able to ask for a full or partial refund only when it is not possible or convenient to repair or replace the item."

Google EU consumer rights for more info and source.

You need to make Apple, or whomever you buy something (new) from, aware of this when you return your product. In my limited experience, this has not been much of a problem. The key point however is to make it known you know your rights. You should not need to muck about resolving the issue if it is obviously not your fault. Granted this is not always easy to know. Apple is not exactly forthcoming with information to the general public,  therefore a lot of the traffic you see here doesn't lead to much I'm afraid. If you can't determine whose fault the problem is, either find a person around you who has actual skills, or just take it to the Apple shop. In the latter case, though, be prepared to pay a fee for investigating the problem if the technicians are able to convince you it's not Apple's fault. Otherwise, Apple has to foot the whole bill (in the EU at least, see above). In fact, they even have to cover your travel expenses bringing the machine in (at least in Scandinavia).