Apple Adds New 'Apple Tested Cases' Page to Online Store

[MacRumors]

As it works on introducing some major changes to the third-party accessory sections of its retail stores, Apple has launched a new section in its online store dedicated to "Apple Tested Cases."

The new page is displayed alongside third-party iPhone and iPad cases and outlines the testing procedures for Apple-approved Made for iPhone/iPad (MFi) third-party cases that Apple sells both online and in its retail stores. Designed to reassure customers about the quality of the third-party accessories available from Apple, the site goes over several testing parameters that cases must meet, including design, camera, acoustics, sensors, and cellular and wireless.

We analyze how a case fits, so you can still access every button, port, and jack. And a series of drop tests tells us the design is strong enough for day-to-day use.

Each case must fit the iPhone or iPad exactly, leaving all ports and features accessible. The camera and flash must be unobstructed, cases can't interfere with FaceTime, phone calls, or audio sound, and sensors for ambient light and Touch ID must work the same with the case on and off. Cellular, Wi-Fi, and NFC connectivity are also tested, with each case needing to meet Apple's standards for signal quality.

Apple has long engaged in these testing procedures to make sure accessories are compliant with its MFi programs, but the launch of the "Apple Tested Cases" page marks the first time that Apple's prominently shared its testing guidelines with the public.

The introduction of the page comes as Apple prepares to revamp the third-party accessory sections in many of its retail locations, cutting down on the number of accessories offered and packaging many of them in boxes that were co-designed by Apple to match the packaging of its own products.

Article Link: Apple Adds New 'Apple Tested Cases' Page to Online Store

 

[SamGabbay]

Ok... Now give us beta 3.

 

[macsrcool1234]

At a markup, no doubt.

What better way to part fools from their money?

 

[dumastudetto]

This is good to information to know, but I still only trust Apple cases to protect my devices.

 

[Dilster3k]

This is rather pointless? Who in their right mind sells cases that don't actually properly fit the product?

In other news... My Apple Leather case in blue for my iPhone 6 Plus has been holding up quite terribly these last few months.

 

[AngerDanger]

Despite the text in the header image, Apple has yet to go into the prophylactic business. This is a good thing considering Apple's inability to prevent manufacturing leaks.

 

[redheeler]

This is good to information to know, but I still only trust Apple cases to protect my devices.

There are plenty of 3rd-party cases that will do an as good or better job protecting your device.

In other news... My Apple Leather case in blue for my iPhone 6 Plus has been holding up quite terribly these last few months.

I've been using an Apple leather case on my iPhone 5s since October 2013 and it has held up fine.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

Good to see Apple applying QA to third parties.

Now, let's see Apple apply it to themselves. Apple Music and iTunes come to mind.

 

[mysticbluebmw]

I wonder if Apple will charge 3rd parties for the honor of being tested and approved...

 

[BellsWhistles]

This is rather pointless? Who in their right mind sells cases that don't actually properly fit the product?

In other news... My Apple Leather case in blue for my iPhone 6 Plus has been holding up quite terribly these last few months.

I had to laugh at this... This past spring, I bought a Logitech Keyboard (bluetooth keyboard auto switch) case for an iPad Air2. I was told unequivocally that the case was for the iPad Air, and therefore should work with the new iPad. Well .. it didn't. Apple had relocated the magnets in the iPad Air2, so the cases switch for the keyboard would not activate. Thank you in store genius sales people.

 

[gadgetguy03]

This is rather pointless? Who in their right mind sells cases that don't actually properly fit the product?

In other news... My Apple Leather case in blue for my iPhone 6 Plus has been holding up quite terribly these last few months.

Uh.. Amazon? There's a huge market for cheap cases imported from China.

 

[duffman9000]

Good to see Apple applying QA to third parties.

Now, let's see Apple apply it to themselves. Apple Music and iTunes come to mind.

iOS comes to mind.

 

[DoctorKrabs]

Each case must fit the iPhone or iPad exactly, leaving all ports and features accessible.

So the Otterbox Commuter for iPhone 6 doesn't qualify.

 

[Paradoxally]

iOS comes to mind.

What's wrong with iOS 8.4? Solid as a rock tbh.

 

[Mike MA]

This is actually the first time I discovered something like that by myself as I just bought a Sena case for my wife.

Normally I'm reading it first here on MacRumors and wonder how people find out such stuff

 

[duffman9000]

What's wrong with iOS 8.4? Solid as a rock tbh.

Look at how many releases it took to get here.

 

[Paradoxally]

Look at how many releases it took to get here.

So? What counts is now, not the past, otherwise we'd still be complaining about Apple Maps.

 

[Aniseedvan]

This testing makes me laugh given I've got the logitech ultrathin case - for ipad air2 and the BT disconnects are dire. 8.4 seems to have made inroads but I'm on my second case from Amazon and wondering whether to ditch it in favour of something else... Where has the testing been for that?!

 

[chr1s60]

So in other words they are partnering with some case manufacturers? At least this is how it seems. I don't see them going out of their way to buy random 3rd party cases and test them without a prior agreement with the company.

 

[mazz0]

I hope they really are testing them properly - I had a case I bought in the Apple shop, one of those leather ones that looks like a book, and was also a wallet. After a few weeks the leather that held my credit card had worn away at the screen of my iPhone! Apple gave me a refund and replaced the iPhone, so can't complain about the service, but it would have been better if they'd known about the issue and not sold the case.

 

[tennisproha]

nice. I had no idea apple set guidelines for 3rd party cases. I'm impressed; that's good QC.

 

[Unami]

in light of the "quality" of their ipad leather cases, i'm not sure if that certification means anything but a price-markup for the licence fees.

 

[duffman9000]

So? What counts is now, not the past, otherwise we'd still be complaining about Apple Maps.

What counts is now? How many releases did it take for iOS 7 to be solid? By your logic when iOS 8 limped to release the past didn't matter. And then iOS 8 was shot out and it's taken 9 months to get it straight. Apple will push this same BS again. History tells us even if you want to shut your ears that it will take months to get iOS 9 to become solid.

 

[5105973]

I hope they remember to test the cases for compatibility with the camera flash. I've had to ditch a couple of cases for older iPhones in the past because when I tried to use the camera flash, the case amplified the flash and caused the photo to be a white blurry mess. I've stuck to black iPhone cases since then. Boring for me. But they work with the flash fine.

 

[CFreymarc]

This is rather pointless? Who in their right mind sells cases that don't actually properly fit the product?

A quick search on eBay and Amazon and you will find plenty of low quality cases (some priced below a dollar) that don't fit well, are brittle and crack on the first drop.

This is why Apple created this program.