Apple blames hot iPhones on the weather, others find oleophobic screen to be fleeting?
By Paul Miller 
posted Jul 4th 2009 10:10PM
posted Jul 4th 2009 10:10PM
Meanwhile, hapless Samsas Traum has found a problem of his own (pictured) that's sure to be blamed on some other act of god in the near future by Apple's spin team: the oleophobic coating is getting rubbed right off his screen. Apparently he has a bit of a fondness for a certain "Flick Fishing" app, which explains the highly localized nature of his oleophobic destruction. We haven't heard many other reports of a similar nature, but we'll keep an eye out for telltale Tap Tap Revenge markings on the iPhones of our rhythm-addled loved ones.
[Thanks, Rafa]
Read - Apple blames overheating iPhones on the weather
Read - Oleophobic coating wearing off fast
lmao really
Alert alert, anybody complaining about anything of apple will be smeared with apple hater label.
There isn't anything wrong with apple products, ever. Even if they catch fire and burn your house down it's your own fault or intended function like housing recykling program, pat pending by apple. :)
JUST WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE. All you macHaters seem to be getting unnecessarily heated over this perfectly plausible explanation. Wouldn't happen to have been hanging out in a hot car, would you have?
In related news, Apple blames battery life limitations on the principle of Conservation of Charge.
As someone who used to own a white MacBook with a failed HDD, about ten cracks, brown palmrests, and whole bunch of other shit, I'm perfectly aware of the bullshit Apple will pull to deflect blame.
I have a unibody MacBook after finally convincing them to replace it, but it shouldn't be such a fight to get them to acknowledge obvious flaws.
It's a nonissue for us. Our comments are on the first page. We're content.
Ha. I love reading things like this, and then seeing people in line at the Apple store.
Apple should just call any customers that buy every new iPhone right when it comes out, "Beta testers".
@themonsteraria
It now appears that the 'S' is really for 'schadenfreude'.
so you get in line to buy the iPhone 3GS where S stands for speed, and then you get in line again to exchange it... sweet!
Or perhaps the 's' stands for 'sucka!'
Dude 1: "Is that the White Ring Of Death on your iPhone screen?"
iPhone Owner: "Yup, stupid weather gave it to me!"
I must, for once, give some kudos to Engadget for reporting a negative news about Apple.
@Newone
This is a brilliant security feature. The phone is too hot to steal.
@derX:
My phone and almost all my equipment is rated for USE in 120F (hot car in sunny day, other than in death valley or Las Vegas). I have personally baked (in your standard gas fired oven) an old phone before to dry it too. And you're saying blaming it on a hot car is acceptable? Hell, most cars never even get to the 113F max temperature that Apple states, and I doubt that these iPhones were left in conditions worse than the owner's previous iPhone went though.
That brings up another point: Why include max and min operating temps when no other company does? Just sounds like a way to get out of their limited warranty to me...
It's funny because for the first time I actually received a temperature warning on my iPhone (3.0) a few days ago.
Normally it's out in the open with the sun pounding on it in my car, never had any problems with it being too hot. Then again, it's been oddly humid this past month, so yeah, the weather is partly to blame.
all hail the reality distortion field
@ basroil,
Every single CE company I know lists the temp and humidity. It’s the ones that don’t that are suspect. Your assertion that Apple is the only one to do so is also suspect. What is your agenda with this FUD you are trying to spread? What do you gain from such lies?
Operating temperature range:
• 32°F to 113°F (0°C to 45°C)
• 5% to 90% RH (relative humidity)
Page 324 of the following PDF link: http://www.palm.com/us/support/handbooks/pre/p100eww/PalmPre_UG_Sprint_p100eww.pdf
@bender
They include it in the full manual, very few feature it front and center on their website. And check that out... palm's OPERATING max is 113F, iPhone's NON-OPERATING max temp is 113F, operating is only 95F. Obviously Apple knows their designs are prone to heating issues if the operating temp is that much lower than their close competitor.
@ basroil,
Your comment wasn’t about Apple putting it on their specs and info page or that it was lower than some other CE, it was that they did it at all. You can backpedal all you want but you can’t edit your post.
Basroil wrote, "Why include max and min operating temps when no other company does? Just sounds like a way to get out of their limited warranty to me…”
The fact is, this is standard procedure, perhaps even required by law, Apple doesn’t issue a large booklet User Guide like a lot of other CE companies still do so they have to put the info elsewhere. It’s almost always online these days but it has been a part of CE for a very long time now in way form or another.
Apple =FAILED
I got a white 3gs and it now looks pink. I will never buy another Apple product. Oh and At&t sucks, dropped calls galore.
The heat makes me act up too!
oops.. in addition
basroil... when you "baked" your phone in an oven.. was it turned on or off? There are different operating and shipping temps. I'll assume you had it off soooooo your point is moot.
Overheating - There's an app for that
I really wonder if they even test their phones properly. All Nokia models* go through series of torture test.
*Prototypes and likes.
i love how Apple fan boys always come to the defense of the all mighty Apple, no matter what. I thought the excuse Apple gave for the failed screens was hilarious.
lmao indeed
http://www.precentral.net/palm-pre-hardware-issues
STi:
Pics or it didn't happen.
Thought not.
why would you leave your phone running in a hot car? if it's in your car, how are you going to send and check your tweets to keep the world informed of your every action? how will you know when your friends change their facebook status? you'll become so disconnected!!
HAHAHAHA HA
Um, the overheating and discoloration are due to low quality third party cases. It was reported today in the New York Times and CNN...not that I trust them either.
Rob Kevnar,
While I’m sure that is true, it doesn’t mean it accounts for all discoloured White iPhone. Nor does it mean that there are not some iPhones with some batteries, other components or a bad OS install causing the system to overheat.
In the words of the immortal Nelson.... HA HA
PWND!
Attention all Mac Haters!
Make an app that deliberately heats up the phone until it bakes, then fill an class action lawsuit against apple. Now take that Apple!
i should have known better than to leave e-mail notification on a first comment
omg
am thinking to buy it today...
gosh apple............if your going to put a powerful processor make sure your hardware can handle it!!!
and it wont hurt if u grew some balls!!
Step One: Grow some balls.
Step Two: ???
Step Three: Profit.
Apple are reknowned for extremely poor thermal engineering in their devices.
Practically every other product they release has major problems.
It's funny since I'm pretty sure every single other cell phone in the world has gotten left in the car accidentally, as well as probably every mp3 player in the world, and every GPS device, and who knows what else.
And I have never, ever, heard of another portable device doing this because it was left in a car...did they think iPhone users would never ever leave their phone in the car?
Maybe it shouldn't be left at home or in the office either. Har har.
Step Four: Put your d*&^ in a box (...and send it to apple).
I thought Apple would have tested this stuff before shipment. Correct?
stop your teasing: we all know they test things on their loyal early adopters.
Usually it's major revisions and brand new products that early adopters have to suffer through. The 3GS strikes me as a modest incremental update more than anything else.
I love how some Apple fanatics attack the Pre for shoddy manufacturing yet after 3 models Apple still has issues with their phones.
Haha never that! Us early adopters basically pay out the butt to be beta testers! Lucky us huh! oh wait....
It depends by what you mean by "tested this stuff before shipment". If you mean, does Apple test the model prior to shipping then I am quite certain the answer is "yes". If you mean, does Apple test each individual unit before shipping then I expect the answer is "no". I have no idea what form of Quality Assurance is performed (if any) but I am certain that any testing performed on the individual units themselves is in no way as rigourous as the testing that would have gone on the initial products to ensure the model was suitable for shipping.
Apple needs to stop selling iPhones in Arizona then, because we've already had a few days where the ambient temp in the shade has been past 113, and we're not even to the hottest part of the year yet. At some point they need to realize that, like it or not, a lot of us live in places where the ambient outdoor temp often gets well above the max 'operating' and sometimes 'non-operating' temperatures. Believe me, there are plenty of other electronic devices I know of that do just fine, even left in my car (not in the sun, and with limo tint and a windshield shade) during the 120 degree summers here.
And don't even get me started on the 'dry heat' myth. I've seen the heat index here hit 160˚.
Wow.
Looks more like he's using a virtual booby program.
*** cricket ***
*** cricket ***
Looks like he thought it had a click-wheel.
Crickets don't have boobies.
I've checked.
It's an eye... I tell you it's developing an eye! Kill it before it's too late! I SAID KILL IT!
It's funny since i have left my many various other smartphones at home at other times and never had any issues...mmmm...
anyways...
Where are all the hippy nerds at? It's Saturday night for crying out loud! you are suppose to be home like a couch po-TA-TOE!
It's July 4th in the US and all the pretty fireworks are out.
Why are there so many dumb people that leave their iphones in a heated vehicles?
That guy must've faked that mark on his screen. There's no way an iphone (3G s at that) would do that..
could you be on apple's jock any harder....
You're right, man! It is completely, 100% impossible that Apple would produce defective iPhones. Totally unrealistic for that to happen!
These frakkin' Microsoft lovers with their Apple hating!
Lazy Genius - not sure how hes "on apples jock" you shouldnt leave any expensive phone in a hot car. they do have batteries you know. a closed car gets to 120 degrees in 2 hours and if you live in like phoenix where its like 110 your car is going to be 120 in minutes. you cant blame a company for everything, man up and admit your mistakes. i own my own business and people try to put one over on you and think they are not liable for any of their mistakes since they paid. its not right
You can't be serious. Yes, the iPhone 3GS consumer based is located around Phoenix, AZ.
Spread the word.
Obvious troll is obvious.
@Johnny
First off, what do you mean expensive phone? We keep being told it is a steal at the $199 price point. The $99 3G is even a better deal. So which is it, expensive or low cost?
Second, it is in the mid 90s here today and I went out in the convertible for a 3 hour drive today. If I had a 3GS (I only have a V1) should I have left my phone at home in the refrigerator rather than taking it with me on that drive? After all, it would have been in the car, sitting out in that hot sun. If I didn't put it in the refrigerator, then it would have been sitting in the house, getting warmer.
If you want to spin this as being the owner's fault, then those 360s overheating is the fault of the user - after all, it is their fault for using the device, not Microsoft's.
Nohone pwn Johnny
No one is buying whatever you're selling Apple shill.
Now the question remains, why are people still buying the iPhone when so many better devices and services exist on the market.
@ swjk
Why dont you fake the apple logo on your forehead ?
PS: Also make sure u write fanboy in bold font beside it
I guess the screen coating is afraid of itself then too. Oleophobicphobic I suppose.
at first i :|
but then i :D
:D
Come on now engadget, the support article on Apple's website has been there since 3G launch and was modified to add 3GS to it. The article is a factual one about why the temperature warning screen comes up. See for yourself (HT2101). Thats just bad reporting.
Hello there Mr. Information Minister !
Sure Apple, your headquarters are only in california....seriously, are we only allowed to use out iphones during the winter?
Apple doesn't really care for its consumers at all. The iPhone is a really great device but it's not perfect and we all know it. I bought a genuine Apple composite cable last year so I could connect my iPhone 3G to my TV and watch some videos but after I've updated to the 3.0 firmware, the damn proprietary cable doesn't work anymore. I mean, how? It used to work before I updated to 3.0 and now it simply just won't work. I mean there is sound coming out but there is no video and it nags a message on the iPhone that the cable isn't compatible with the iPhone. I'm not alone on this. Here is a link to the apple support forums. http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2046835&start=0&tstart=0
I know this isn't related to this post but Apple needs to know.
@Brown Robott
I honestly have my doubts about how much attention Apple gives to the Discussion Boards - I get the impression that they are only there to allow other users to solve your problem. Have you tried contacting Apple directly about this problem, such as through one of their stores or telephone support? At least that way you would have feedback directly from the company.
Always take the weather with you...oh, er, no...better not...
1) Apple never blamed the few accounts of overheating 3GSs on anything. That overheating screen has been in all iPhones and their support page and info on proper operating temps, humidity and altitude is well documented.
2) There is an issue with a few bad batteries, perhaps a batch. This is not uncommon. if you are experiencing this issue, have a phone that drains it’s battery quickly while in standby mode is hot to the touch then return it to Apple for a new one.
3) All Consumer Electronics have some units that are faulty. Luckily we have a 1 year warranty to protect us from these inconvenient side effects of technology, assembly lines and cheap labour. We also have a 30 day return policy to try out the device so no one should be claiming to be stuck with any phone or carrier that isn’t suiting their needs for a device under 30 days old.
4) I don’t find the oleophobic coating to be useful at all. I suppose there it’s a little better with marks, but with the bright LED-backlit display and the occasional need for a shirt, pants, or napkin wipe it was never an issue. I do now find that even after wiping it I can still smudges in sunlight where the oleophobic coating is catching the sun’s rays. I worried about it wearing off in places and will be getting my display replaced under warranty if that issue happens to me.
Uh, just so you know, no iPhone to date has an LED backlit screen. Just a normal LCD.....
They certainly don’t state and I’d think they would so you may be right, but there is some other evidence via Google that they may use an LED Display Module Backlight from Optical Semiconductor for the original iPhone, which means if that is true then they are likely using it for all models.
While power differences are not exactly an issue with such a small screen when using LED or CCFL backlights, the thickness of these may be an issue. I am under the impression that LED is thinner than CCFL and allows for faster lighting, though, again, that may not be an issue with such a small display.
PS: To some readers, we are discussing the backlight, not the display itself, which is most assuredly LCD.
All iPhones have LED-backlight LCD screens.
@themonsteraria I think you are confusing LED backlit with OLED screens...
I have taken apart loads of 1st gen iPhones, and all of them used standard CCFL backlighting. I may be wrong though about the 3G models. They may have LED backlighting.
@Nomi: That's really insulting.
themonsteraria:
ALL iPhones have LED-backlit LCD screens. ALL.
All iPods too.
And every other device the size of these device with a color LCD screen does too (B/W screens may be lit with electroluminescent backlights, though most use LEDs).
Lying is stupid.
@why not the LS2LS7?
OK. I do know for a fact that all iPods don't have LED backlit screens. Seriously, you should try taking apart a device, instead of just believing everything you read from a google search. The second gen iPod Nano was the first iPod to have an LED backlit screen.
Lying is bad. So is your ignorance.
This is why you shouldn't get products at launch. Let someone else be the guinea pig while the manufacturer fixes these issues. No product is immune from first-batch problems.
What if everyone followed this advice?
i think we all know the answer to that...but in other news nobody follows that advice...
Then companies would realize they'd betrayed the trust of their market and would be forced to thoroughly test things instead of being in some insane race to be first to market (cough, Xbox 360) in order to convince customers that they won't get screwed by buying the newest things.
We know what the solutions are, bender. I don't need you to explain them to me. The issue is Apple acting like a couple of teenagers trying to shift the blame. You put out a product to millions of people, you better be ready to handle any issues that come up like a grownup.
Find me one statement from Apple saying that the overheating iPhones are the consumer’s fault. Or that the battery discolouration is the consumer’s fault. Or that they aren’t exchanging any faulty iPhones.
When the internal thermostat reaches its limit the system should shut it self down to cool off. This is not happening with the faulty units. Apple’s support page is about proper usage and limitations, not about how the customer is wrong so put down your torch and pitchfork and stop storming the castle looking for the monster.
Well I'm starting to feel a little better that I couldn't get the 3GS.
It's no secret that I like Apple products, so let's get that out of the way.
The overheating may be an issue, but I find the whole screen thing to be bogus, or a fluke.
Let's be honest here, and leave Apple love/hate at the door. Apple has sold well over a million 3GSes, and there has been one, yes one, of these issues. A true one-in-a-million. Either he has a bad screen, or needs to lay off the Fritos. Either way, Apple should replace the screen. It's either defective, or not as oil-resistant as advertised.
Yeah, I don't get how there's a white ring around the spot he rubbed. Wouldn't there only be a circle mark on the screen? Not a double ring type of thing? If this story is true, then the guy playing fly fishing to the point of the coating wearing off has greater issues at hand.
@ Bender Bending Rodriquez
Gosh, your comments were far too sane and cogent.
You can't be a regular Engadget user/reader/commentator! Much too clear with your remarks without sounding like an Apple Fawn Bouy!
;)
Cheers...
Hint and clue to all of you who do not have an idea about the conversion of radio signal to analogue - it produces heat. In fact enough to* where there is technology that has been developed to convert the heat to electricity and trickle charge the battery.
Happy 4th of July - don't you fret about all of the presidential orders that Obama was going to reverse. He'll right on it once he gets back from Russia unless there is a crisis somewhere in the world. Oh, and for all of you McSame/Plain lovers - they would have not done anything different - they are all puppets.
ATB from the Lucky Country...
The bulk of Engadgeteers seem to prefer a separation of Gadgets and State, i.e., keep the political talk in its respective blogs.
Unless you mention Obama's Blackberry. Then you have seamless transition.
The funniest part is that you have to resort to name-calling, while not stating any reasons why he would be "mcsame".
Watch something other than the leg-humping that is NBC. Also, no more conspiracy theories for you.
It is intriguing that you guy can't even take a joke on July 4th - the day of the founding of the Order of the Illuminate!! 4 July 1776 was the day of the founding of the order - the USofA didn't become a county until later - read your history... maybe you can download it onto you Blueberry or Pre or iPhone....
(Was that good enough of a transition)
And in Australia, when you like someone. you enjoy stirring the pot a bit. Obviously, your too tight a$$ed to even consider it a joke or on the defensive too much.
Relax. Have a BBQ and get drunk on real beer (not Fosters - that's Aussie dingo piss) and enjoy a little fun being poked at you.
As for McCain - tell me how his antiquated use of technology and lack of the global situation is any different than Scrub?
Cheers, Happy Birthday USA - soon to be the North American Alliance....
..|..
There's a fine line between joking and trolling, kakapo
Hahahahahahahaha Apple Sucks, There i said it!
Congratulations! Here's your cookie:
*unzips fly*
@RobertT you might want to get that checked out if it looks anything like a cookie.
Touché.