Apple Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over 'Jelly Scrolling' on iPad Mini

[johnnytravels]

Just to be clear, this lawsuit concerns complaints that a technology operates the way it is understood to operate.

I think the lawsuits concerns the fact that Apple, in marketing the product, tries to conceal the fact that a technology operates the way it operates.
I think that simply mentioning that this is the way it is supposed to be is somewhat ignoring the fact that people are generally used to this technology not operating in this way.

With that being said: I have the Mini 6 and I just don’t see it. I am more annoyed by the TouchID which is highly unreliable for me…

 

[makitango]

1. The Mini is performing exactly how it was designed to perform. It is not a manufacturing defect.
2. This screen characteristic manifests itself immediately. This isn’t an issue with something that degrades with use.
3. This is a characteristic that is the same on every iPad mini of this generation. It isn’t some kind of lottery where you may get a product that works differently than store samples or review samples.
4. There are many undesirable characteristics of screens that often aren’t listed in specification sheets. Viewing angle brightness and color shift, Pulse Width Modulation, minimum brightness level, pixel response time, backlight zones, etc. This isn’t a characteristic that is especially bad compared to other unspecified characteristics. Not to mention actual defects (or loose tolerances) like bright spots, uneven backlighting, dead pixels, and pixel walk.

It may be a poor design decision, but I don’t see how it would qualify as a defect.

@1. If a panel from Samsung or LG does not inherit the issue, then I think it‘s up to the user to decide if it‘s a manufacturing defect or not. Like with discrimination, it does not matter if the sender intended something to be discriminative, the recipient‘s reaction decides that.

@3. We don‘t know about any lottery and can‘t rule it out. Could easily be like SSD lottery on 2013-2014 MBAs where 128 GB configs always had Sandisk, 256 GB was 50/50 Sandisk/Samsung and 512 GB was Samsung only. This means that display units were always equipped with the poorest components, so it appears the same at a Retail store.

@4. Some people observed poorer overall screen quality over past generations which is what makes this a QA issue. To me, it feels like BOE supplying the display simply fulfills its poor reputation.

I agree though that what is needed is not a lawsuit but some serious QA checkups.

 

[pilotpat]

In the 9 to 5 mac article it has excerpts from the filing stating that "Worse yet, users have reported motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and migraines when using the Device due to the Defect." I guess that's how they are making it seem more serious than just a display refresh issue as it's causing physical harm to it's users.
I have never had an issue with a display causing me any of those issues, but I suppose there are those that are more sensitive to these things. I still don't think this is a class action suit that they can win, because it isn't specific to the ipad mini but more general to the display technology used on the device. And to an extent, the way it was implemented on the mini.

 

[SanderEvers]

I think the lawsuits concerns the fact that Apple, in marketing the product, tries to conceal the fact that a technology operates the way it operates.
I think that simply mentioning that this is the way it is supposed to be is somewhat ignoring the fact that people are generally used to this technology not operating in this way.

With that being said: I have the Mini 6 and I just don’t see it. I am more annoyed by the TouchID which is highly unreliable for me…

Actually Apple already has said that jelly scrolling is normal on lcd-screens.

 

[bushman4]

That’s what the return policy is all about…you try it then you keep it or return it depending on whether it meets your standards
That Apple policy alone makes the lawsuit subject to being thrown out

 

[sledgehammer89]

Just release an iPad mini Pro with OLED 120Hz. Problem fixed.

 

[Substance90]

Reminds me of the guy who intentionally moved to a neighbourhood knowing the community wouldn't like him organizing a Christmas festival, just so he can sue them. As a European I find the US judicial system fascinating and super weird.

 

[Realityck]

I didn't return mine because I traded in my 5th gen to reduce the cost. I guess I could have and bought another 5th Gen but really, its a great device outside of scrolling quickly in the vertical orientation. Once you get where you want, its easy to look at and its great for video and other things.

I did that also, at the time a used 5th gen was worth $225 in the states. Not bad for a 2 1/2 year old iPad mini 5.

 

[ASentientBot]

Are you sure?

We have lots of people on MR claim they didn't notice until "later on" (timelines vary) -- certainly plenty well outside a 14 day return window.

Didn't realize that. If it's something that shows up later, I am much more sympathetic. Thanks for the heads up.

Will be interesting to see where this goes.

 

[Jensend]

@1. If a panel from Samsung or LG does not inherit the issue, then I think it‘s up to the user to decide if it‘s a manufacturing defect or not. Like with discrimination, it does not matter if the sender intended something to be discriminative, the recipient‘s reaction decides that.

Virtually all displays, save for plasma, refresh from one side of the screen to the other over the course of each frame.

@3. We don‘t know about any lottery and can‘t rule it out. Could easily be like SSD lottery on 2013-2014 MBAs where 128 GB configs always had Sandisk, 256 GB was 50/50 Sandisk/Samsung and 512 GB was Samsung only. This means that display units were always equipped with the poorest components, so it appears the same at a Retail store.

If it were a lottery, we'd have at least one example of one of these Minis that had the jelly scrolling in the other orientation.

@4. Some people observed poorer overall screen quality over past generations which is what makes this a QA issue. To me, it feels like BOE supplying the display simply fulfills its poor reputation.

That's not what the lawsuit is about.

I agree though that what is needed is not a lawsuit but some serious QA checkups.

QA won't fix jelly scrolling. It's part of the design specification of the product.

 

[I7guy]

I don't get it either

Defending Apple helps nothing get better.

A company of their size and clout needs to get forced to change, or they just go endlessly down the rabbit hole of squeezing consumers at every opportunity.

I think - just a pet theory - some folks are sucked in by the Apple PR machine ... and others are living off the memories and visions of "plucky little fighter Apple trying to beat back big bad Microsoft!" -- from 20 years ago now.

People have the opportunity to return the item if they don't like the performance. However, Apple can only squeeze customers, if the customers allow it, and the universe says your 100% wrong with respect to your pet theory.

 

[SFjohn]

Who the hell reads while fast scrolling? LMAO

 

[sideshowuniqueuser]

Did you look at the post concerning the late 2019 Samsung Galaxy Fold I posted? The text from the editor below video is expressing the same explanation 2 years earlier in Sept 2019 on why jelly motion shows up in portrait vs landscape. iFixIt comments could be considered copies of the same explanation .

Right, so how come when I rotate my iPhone that has a Retina LCD screen, and scroll text, there's no jelly scrolling, regardless if I am holding it landscape or portrait?

 

[mw360]

Right, so how come when I rotate my iPhone that has a Retina LCD screen, and scroll text, there's no jelly scrolling, regardless if I am holding it landscape or portrait?

It can be hard to see sometimes. I've never noticed it on my Mac Book Pro until running this test

Be careful though, once you have seen it, your life will never be the same and you'll need to run to the courts for redress.

 

[H2SO4]

How self entitled do you have to feel to take up legal action against a company because a product they made doesn't meet your standards?

Yeah, I was pissed at Apple when I purchased a nearly $2,000 computer and after 18 months it was a great big anchor unless I paid another $900 in repairs. (eMac) And yeah, I fought to get justice, especially after learning that Apple (likely) knew of the problem. But a class action for an iPad?

Whilst I think the suit is a little bit much your first paragraph is a little disingenuous.
The product I would wager doesn’t meet Apples own standards let alone those if the OP.
I can say with reasonable certainty that the device wasn’t designed to operate that way.
It’s not self entitled at all.

 

[cosmichobo]

Whilst I think the suit is a little bit much your first paragraph is a little disingenuous.
The product I would wager doesn’t meet Apples own standards let alone those if the OP.
I can say with reasonable certainty that the device wasn’t designed to operate that way.
It’s not self entitled at all.

The self entitlement aspect, is the fact that rather than taking the item back for a refund, he's taking it to court, and a class action no less.

Ok, granted the iPhone 6 / battery thing turned out to be some pretty underhanded behaviour from Apple... you're probably right in that this particular iPad had some issues. But that isn't class action worthy. It isn't court worthy.

It's not a Ford Pinto.

 

[MacBH928]

Why didn’t he take advantage of the return policy? He had 30 days to decide 🤨

Returning for not liking is US thing only AFAIK. People do exist outside USA and they pay similar or more prices for these devices. They can't even send their devices for Apple Service program when there is actually a batch of products with issues because of the expensive shipping international.

 

[MacBH928]

How self entitled do you have to feel to take up legal action against a company because a product they made doesn't meet your standards?

Yeah, I was pissed at Apple when I purchased a nearly $2,000 computer and after 18 months it was a great big anchor unless I paid another $900 in repairs. (eMac) And yeah, I fought to get justice, especially after learning that Apple (likely) knew of the problem. But a class action for an iPad?

actually , good for him. The more people sue and keep corporates responsible for products they ship the less likely corporate would release malfunctioning or problematic devices. If everyone kept quite I won't be surprised future products will have 1 out of 4 products shipped broken out of the box.

people work hard for their money and they want what is advertised on the box.

 

[cosmichobo]

actually , good for him. The more people sue and keep corporates responsible for products they ship the less likely corporate would release malfunctioning or problematic devices. If everyone kept quite I won't be surprised future products will have 1 out of 4 products shipped broken out of the box.

people work hard for their money and they want what is advertised on the box.

Or, better solution - like other countries, the USA governments could actually implement consumer protection laws. In Australia, our laws would force Apple to repair, replace, or refund. If Apple was being forced, by law, in the USA to deal with these issues, there wouldn't need to be a lawsuit, and sure, Apple would probably be better at dealing with these issues.

 

[Alp3r]

Who the hell reads while fast scrolling? LMAO

You don’t have to read it fast to see it ??

I’m glad it’s been reported and should be taken seriously, it’s a huge problem☺.

 

[trill1]

I’ve noticed this only happens when you drag your finger across the length of the display to scroll

Personally, I short scroll so this ‘jelly’ effect doesn’t bother me in the least.

 

[I7guy]

Or, better solution - like other countries, the USA governments could actually implement consumer protection laws. In Australia, our laws would force Apple to repair, replace, or refund. If Apple was being forced, by law, in the USA to deal with these issues, there wouldn't need to be a lawsuit, and sure, Apple would probably be better at dealing with these issues.

I agree, but if this is the behavior of the hardware, under certain circumstances, it’s the behavior. People have a two week window to return the device and if it doesn’t perform to their specifications they should return it. Wish car dealers had the same type of deal. Most of us, I believe make a car purchase decision on a quick test drive. Why isn’t the government stepping up here?

 

[I7guy]

actually , good for him. The more people sue and keep corporates responsible for products they ship the less likely corporate would release malfunctioning or problematic devices. If everyone kept quite I won't be surprised future products will have 1 out of 4 products shipped broken out of the box.

people work hard for their money and they want what is advertised on the box.

And there is that two week return period, where you get to vote with your dollars.

 

[mjbadagliacco]

OMG! What “damages” could be claimed? This guy needs to find a hobby! Or better yet, a life!

The attorneys who brought this class action should be disbarred for being stupid!

 

[mjbadagliacco]

Or, better solution - like other countries, the USA governments could actually implement consumer protection laws. In Australia, our laws would force Apple to repair, replace, or refund. If Apple was being forced, by law, in the USA to deal with these issues, there wouldn't need to be a lawsuit, and sure, Apple would probably be better at dealing with these issues.

The already offer a refund if you don’t like what it does. Empowering the government to force corporations to refund, fix or replace something (other than for safety reasons) is simply an over reach that should NEVER EVER happen in a free market system! That is the difference between Australia and the US…. That kind of garbage is a government over reach here! Over there where they can take your freedoms and rights away at will is different…