Apple Faces Inquiries In the EU On iPhone Accidents

o'reor writes "As more cases of iPhone screen explosions emerge in the news on this side of the pond, Apple is now facing official inquiries and lawsuits in France. This situation has forced Apple finally to break silence and acknowledge the incidents: 'We are aware of these reports and we are waiting to receive the iPhones from the customers. Until we have the full details, we don't have anything further to add.' Following those reports, the European Commission had already decided last week to step in, while Apple tried to dismiss the problem as 'isolated incidents.' Meanwhile, iPhone explosion-related sites are now popping up on the Internet, releasing games such as iPop to chill out and relax on the subject, but also giving users advice on preventing iPhone accidents, or detecting imminent explosions."

Comments

Lithium Ion Batteries

[Monkeedude1212]

Are the cause I hear. Lots of devices use these kinds of batteries, simply because they are easily rechargable. It's said that if one gets too hot, and is under a certain amount of pressure on the inside, the battery can explode. I didn't RTFA I'm sure its mentioned somewhere in there. Things that use L I batteries have exploded before in the past, it's just become common that everyone owns either an iPod or an iPhone, so when 13 or more stories arise of exploding Apple devices people take notice.

But, like the summary says, Apple hasn't received the broken equipment yet, so the battery is not the CONFIRMED cause of the explosion.

Anyone want to take a bet?

Re:Lithium Ion Batteries

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5icQWJ2mlc--irCjF-iJMQTGfcIIQ

Apple is claiming that the screens were broken due to an external force according to their initial investigations.

Re:Lithium Ion Batteries

[commodore64_love]

>>>they are easily rechargable.

Not true. LiIon batteries are extremely difficult to recharge and are in fact the most-complex battery ever made for home use. But the reason companies put-up with them is because they can hold the same amount of charge as a NiCad or NiMH battery, but in 1/4 or 1/2 the space, respectively. Obviously saving space is important for phones and laptops.

Now contrast that with hybrid cars which almost-universally use the NiMH battery. Since space is no great concern, but safety is, they use the more-stable battery. NiMH also has the advantage of surviving the ~20 years that cars typically last, and also being environmentally neutral.

Re:Lithium Ion Batteries

[Monkeedude1212]

I worked at Laptop shop with in-house technical support.

Guess what two pieces AREN'T covered for in the Warranty? Battery and power supply. Even the Manufacturers warranty for the battery is shorter than the manufacturers warranty for the laptop. This is simply because they are succeptable to ALOT of failure. Now the great thing about laptop batteries is that they are usually completely encased in plastic, and if one "explodes" - its pretty difficult to tell. These explosions aren't like the ones you see on TV, they're small, probably no bigger than your thumbnail.

You see how slim the Apple Devices are? That pinhead explosion is enough to break the screen, just because the battery is RIGHT next to the screen.

iPhone, it's the hottest phone on the market

[alen]

my 3GS tends to heat up a lot more than my blackberry. when i use the cell phone app i can feel the back getting warm

Re:It's a new app...

[Pieroxy]

There's a funny story about an iPhone that actually flew away from its owner!!!

http://pieroxy.blogspot.com/2009/08/news-from-missouri-my-iphone-flew-away.html