Jim Lynch: Off the Top of My Head…

Wow. Well I’m glad I only have an iPhone 3G!

Technology sites and Apple forums have been indundated with comments about the new model overheating and becoming discoloured since it was launched on June 19. Some iPhone users have complained that the device has become too hot to hold to the ear during long calls while others have noticed that the white 32GB model has turned pink after overheating.

In a warning posted on one of the California computer maker’s support knowledge base sites, Apple says that users should not leave their phones in a car where temperatures can exceed the -20C to 45C range that the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models were designed to function in.

Apple says in the support article that “if the interior temperature of the device exceeds normal operating temperatures, you may experience the following as it attempts to regulate its temperature: the device stops charging, display dims, and/or weak cellular signal”.

In its message, Apple says that the iPhone has a safety feature which warns users that the device is becoming too hot. As well as leaving the handset in a car, it says that the phone may overheat when left in direct sunlight for prolonged periods, when GPS tracking is used in a car on a hot day or when its iPod function is used in direct sunlight.

If the warning appears, Apple says that users of the iPhone should turn the device off and allow it to cool before using it.

This strikes me as a copout on Apple’s part. I suspect that they goofed with this 3GS and are simply trying to spin it as best they can. It’s got to irk the hell out of new iPhone 3GS owners to find out that there brand new smartphones are…er…a little too hot to handle at times!

I decided to avoid upgrading this time around because I didn’t see enough value in the iPhone 3GS. I’m very glad I did as it seems that a lack of additional value over the regular 3G wasn’t the only reason to avoid upgrading. Apple has a serious problem on its hands, I hope it has a good solution too.

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...