Apple Faces Lawsuit Over iPad Overheating

[lileoj]

To be fair...Apple advertises the iPad being used outside, in the sun, at the beach...and reading a book. You don't read a book for 5 mins.

It doesn't have to be scorching outside to heat up metal/plastic...a cool 75F degree day is still gonna get materials above 90 degrees...and a more normal/average 84F degree day (us NorthEast people) is going to get any device hot.

Again, all this said, Apple is the one who is promoting outdoor use of the iPad and for extended periods of time (reading a book). Don't blame the consumer for buying it and having it overheat and/or break while it's being used as-advertised. And on a side note, my multiple iPods and iPhone have been out in scorching 95F+ degree weather (in direct sunlight) for entire vacations and never had a problem...nor did my old Sony Discman.

-Eric

Doesn't matter what Apple says, if Apple says your going to live forever so jump off a cliff. Are you going to do it?!?! NO. Quit being stupid lemmings, its obvious that you can't use it too well in bright lights like sunlight. I knew this pretty much the day I sold my kindle to get my Ipad and expected it not to work too well outdoors.

 

[tmarks11]

That lawsuit is pointless, who would take an iPad outside, where you can't read the super-glossy display anyway?

me, for one. I have a power support anti-glare sticker; I don't have any problem reading the screen (although it is better if you get in the shade).

Mine hasn't overheated. The first time I had it outside, it was in a leather case. After an hour, I took it out of the case and the back was probably 110F. Moral of this story: thick leather case is probably a bad idea if you are outside in 90F+ weather.

Maybe I should sue Apple because the overheating protection doesn't work on mine?

I am surprised so many people haven't heard of the "overheat" shutdown. It has been a frequently discussed topic. It does seem ridiculous to me that they set the overtemp shutdown at 95F. My laptop gets 125F+ on contact and never shuts down. Probably trying to ensure they prolong the life of the battery. One a laptop, the battery doesn't get directly heated by the electronics. In the iPad, the frame temp is teh battery temp, and elevated temps could be a bad thing on a lithium battery.

I don't understand how you can sue on a consumer product like this. If it doesn't meet your needs, send it back.

 

[muchadoaboutnot]

Doesn't matter what Apple says, if Apple says your going to live forever so jump off a cliff. Are you going to do it?!?! NO.

Not a reasonable expectation

Expecting a device advertised as working in the sun to work fine is a reasonable expectation when other devices function fine in the sun.

 

[franswa za]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9630/5.0.0.732 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

Wow really?? Maybe I can sue my local supermarket because my ice melts when I go outside in the sun too!

this!

get real people........... what do u want to do with it for extended periods in the (direct) sun? WTF do u expect?

or rather, climb into a deep freeze and then sue apple?

much ado 'bout nothing.......... trolling lawyers?

 

[optophobia]

Not a reasonable expectation

Expecting a device advertised as working in the sun to work fine is a reasonable expectation when other devices function fine in the sun.

Agreed. If they were aware that it would get so hot in the sun, they should NOT advertise its use in the sun..........

 

[optophobia]

this!

get real people........... what do u want to do with it for extended periods in the sun? WTF do u expect?

or rather, climb into a deep freeze and then sue apple?

much ado 'bout nothing.......... trolling lawyers?

READ, just like the commercial....

For once, I don't think it is trolling lawyers...

 

[mdatwood]

And it doesn't have to be that hot outside. My friend tried reading a book out in the sun a couple of times and both times got the device overheat error. So much for replacing a real ebook reader...

 

[ctdonath]

The reason I think it may stick is in the wording of the complaint:

It claims the iPad "does not live up to the reasonable consumer's expectations created by Apple" because it "overheats so quickly under common weather conditions.

"Common weather conditions" here in Georgia means direct, bright, hot sunlight much of the year. I had the "won't start, too hot" error when eating lunch on the company's back deck, setting the lightweight black glass + metal device on the table in bright sun on a normal hot day. In about 10 minutes, the thing was almost too hot to hold. Of course it overheats from ambient energy in such conditions. The thing is built like a solar collector - by sheer coincidence, mind you.

Stupid lawsuit. Should be thrown out in short order. In many places it gets hot enough often enough that most people spend most of their time in air conditioning - heck, if humans don't want to work under such conditions, don't be surprised if an iPad doesn't either. If this suit succeeds, don't be surprised if the next one is suing municipalities for paving roads with asphalt - which gets hot enough to fry eggs under "common weather conditions" in some areas.

 

[G5isAlive]

There have been multiple reports on that. PC Mag's editor got it in 10 minutes in 70 degree weather in New York (link), so I wouldn't just dismiss the lawsuit as invalid.
.

one needs to be careful about passing on anecdotes as data.. it was a tweet that did not specify temperature though the article noted it had been " over 70 degrees Fahrenheit in New York the last few days) and ten minutes later it shut down" so we dont know what the actual temp was. its being passed along second hand. blah blah blah and we dont know if the editor was using it or actually had it laying for maximum exposure or how accurate the time was.

in short. its worth nothing except as a flag that someone needs to collect real data.

 

[ericinboston]

Doesn't matter what Apple says, if Apple says your going to live forever so jump off a cliff. Are you going to do it?!?! NO. Quit being stupid lemmings...

Wha????? You have no clue what you are talking about trying to compare and ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN for a $500 product to someone telling you an old 3rd-grade saying regarding jumping off a cliff.

The consumer is being sold a product that is advertised to be used in outdoor use...and on bright sunny days. Period. Add to the fact that it's also being heavily advertised as a book reader which, to almost everyone on the planet (even if you don't read books) means you are going to sit there and read from it for at least an hour, is more fuel to the fact that people involved in this lawsuit are pretty unhappy that when THEY TRY TO USE IT AS ADVERTISED, IT FAILS. Period.

-Eric

 

[jeznav]

I'm suing apple for the frostbite damage it has caused me when it was supposed to overheat to warm my hands down here in antartica!

 

[ctdonath]

A quick glance at the location of posters on this thread shows a rough correlation:
- those from higher latitudes (Seattle, Canada, South Africa, etc.) are sympathetic to the suit
- those from lower latitudes (Georgia, Texas, California, etc.) think the suit is absurd.
Go figure.
Those more often subject to more intense heat-inducing sunlight are more likely to say "well duh, leave a black/glass/metal object in the sun and it will get too hot to use", while those not in climates prone to prolonged oppressive heat say "whadayamean it overheats in sunlight? that's outrageous!".

Come to my location right now (lunchtime) and let's see how long YOU can stand to function outdoors without shade. You'll be ready for the fork test in about an hour, and you won't be holding that burning-hot iPad much less using it.

 

[gumbyx84]

Read some of the warnings in your VCR, your TV, your (whatever electronic device you have). Very clearly in those warnings is one that lists normal operating temperatures (min and max) and extreme storage temperatures (min and max). Most electronics clearly state 85°F as the maximum operating temperature and maximum storage temperature usually around 105°F to 115°F. By this commonly known bit of information, the lawsuit becomes frivolous and invalid.

If it was commonly known, wouldn't everyone know about it? I know I can use my Nintendo DS outside without problems and by your assumption, it shouldn't. Also, some reports state it was around 70 deg out, which is within the operating temp you and Apple state.

 

[Cleverboy]

Safari did't want me reading about this...

~ CB

 

[drewface]

Oh wow, it got hot under direct sunlight? I wonder if it will overheat if I put it in the oven too!

 

[podlasek]

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Model Numbers
Kindle – D00511
Kindle with international wireless - D00701
Display — 6" diagonal electrophoretic display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution, 167 pixels
per inch, 16-level gray scale.
Size — 8 inches by 5.3 inches by 0.36 inches (203.2mm x 134.6mm x 9.1mm).
Weight — 10.2 ounces (289.2g).
Storage — 2GB internal storage, approximately 1.4GB available to the user.
Audio — 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, built-in stereo speakers.
Power — AC power adapter and rechargeable lithium polymer battery.
Connectivity — USB 2.0 (micro-B connector). EVDO/CDMA in Kindle and HSDPA/GSM
wireless modem in Kindle with international wireless.
Operating temperature — 32°F to 95°F (0°C to 35°C).
Storage temperature — 14°F to 113°F (-10°C to 45°C).

 

[renewed]

Not in direct sunlight but in a warm office in the UK Summer weather.

Apple has advertised the iPad being used outdoors in their promotional videos so I can understand why people would be disappointed to find it overheating in such situations. Of course, as per usual those on here who haven't experienced the problems will say those that have are lying scum.

Definitely not saying anyone is scum. Just saying that electronic devices are limited. They can overheat and it's a fact of life but doesn't warrant a lawsuit in this case. Apple chargers sparking and shocking people? Yes. iPad protecting itself from overheating? No.

 

[e-coli]

No frickin' doubt. I can't take my iPad to the beach or the pool. Been there, tried that. It died in about 10 minutes.

 

[rick98761]

Mine overhearts all the time outside. It's not so much the temperature, it's if you are in direct sun light. I remember when i first got my iPad I would take it out in like 75 degree weather. Thing would overheat in about 20 minutes pretty regularly. It really does stink, not sure what they could do to fix it though without making it a thicker device with active cooling.

 

[the-oz-man]

10000 feet? Why? What happens when you exceed that (every time you're on a long flight)?

I believe this is referring to a non-pressurized setting. In other words, not in a plane cabin. Correct me if I'm wrong folks.

 

[DylanLikesPorn]

Every stupid, frivolous lawsuit that Apple faces does not always need to be Front Page material. FFS, exercise some editorial restraint, MacRumors!

 

[DesertBlizzard]

Hot places

I live in Phoenix and have had this happen to me mid stream while using it for directions.

I began to miss my map and compass.

 

[madmax_2069]

A portable device that cant be fully used as one.

 

[DesertBlizzard]

"Common weather conditions" here in Georgia means direct, bright, hot sunlight much of the year. I had the "won't start, too hot" error when eating lunch on the company's back deck, setting the lightweight black glass + metal device on the table in bright sun on a normal hot day. In about 10 minutes, the thing was almost too hot to hold. Of course it overheats from ambient energy in such conditions. The thing is built like a solar collector - by sheer coincidence, mind you.

Stupid lawsuit. Should be thrown out in short order. In many places it gets hot enough often enough that most people spend most of their time in air conditioning - heck, if humans don't want to work under such conditions, don't be surprised if an iPad doesn't either. If this suit succeeds, don't be surprised if the next one is suing municipalities for paving roads with asphalt - which gets hot enough to fry eggs under "common weather conditions" in some areas.

I suppose by that logic I'm lucky to have a car that will start.

 

[lkrupp]

I had this issue the other day when my nephew used the iPad in the swimming pool sunshine for a couple of hours. The iPad stopped working and there was a message saying it was too hot or something like that.

Oooooh! That means you'll get the $5 settlement coupon five years from now. Be sure to sign up.