Apple Recalls iPhone 3G USB Power Adapter

[mocciat]

this exact thing happened to me, luckily i didnt get it stuck in there.

and just for the record, I didn't try to take it out. One day I just noticed my iphone wouldn't charge, pulled it out and noticed one of the prongs were really loose, then I tapped it, and it fell right off.
So stop acting like you guys know what you're talking about, because you idiots obviously don't. It may not be all adapters with this problem, but there are some then just come off easily, consider yourself lucky and ****.

Your screen name is "Mac Sux" if the company sucks so bad why do you buy their product? That my friend id the definition of an "idiot". You are such a loser, buying stuff that "sux".

 

[MrCrowbar]

HAHA! Ok that is a great way to start the day reading that! That will put a lasting smile on my face all day. Thanks! =)

If you like that, you might wanna check out our podcast in my signature. Live every thursday on stickam, too.

Anyway, back to the topic: I love the foldable prongs on Apple's US power bricks. They don't make holes in bags and backpacks either. I with the european version would fold up, too... Don't you think power outlets are retardedly big in this modern world? And there's so many different ones, even though most electric devices can be plugged into any of them with the right adapter.

But I guess those things are hard to update once they're standardized. The american ones are dangerous though, I you blindly pull out a lodged power brick, it's easy to get your thumb touching one of the prongs while it's still partly in the power outlet. Got shocked quite a bit once when I was in the US.

Oh and power bricks are also annoying. How about having universal power bricks built into the outlet? Would save lots of space and cost in electronic devices, old outlets could be upgraded with an adapter, etc.

Geez, Apple's quality assurance has really gone down the cr**per. With this, batteries, laptops, etc. I've been looking at Consumer Reports and Apple laptops & desktops used to need the least number of repairs. Now they need the most.

However, those new power adapters are super-small! Can I get the new ones at an Apple store or something? Only thing I miss is the fold in prongs.

Agreed on the quality thing, but it appears to be only on the mobile stuff. My 2006 Macbook is in for repairs for the 11th or 12th time right now. Had 2 "exploded" (buldged up, stopped working) batteries, the power brick went up in flames (Apple said it was user error...) and the Macbook itself had everthing replaced at least once. The only original things right now are the frame, the bottom case and the display cover. Ok, to be fair, the RAM and Hard Drive still work, but I upgraded those myself, I put the originals back every time it's going for repairs and wipe, then re-install OSX on the hard drive. Out of 2.5 years of ownership, the Macbook has been in repair for 5 months, when you add it all up. Right now it's in repair since 2 weeks and is in "long term testing"... I'll probably sell it on eBay and wait for the next updates. For now, the Macbook hard drive is booting the Mac Mini via USB. Slow, but works.

 

[sixth]

This SU*CKS....i dont care what anyone says, none of you have to go to 5 executives and tell them not to use their power adapters, right after, "i need to update your iphone to the new firmware 2.1" and interrupt their daily craziness and get a "jeez, whats wrong with this phone constantly needing updates??"....

nice apple...nice way to try to get in the Enterprise... YOU ARE FN FAILING...FAILING!!!

 

[DakotaGuy]

EXACTLY !!!! Where is UL in all of this ??????????????? 😕😕😕😕

Well that depends on what sample Apple gave to UL. It is very possible that the sample product that UL received was fine, but when it came time to actually build the product the Chinese contractor decided to cheapen it up a little hoping no one would notice and they would improve their profits. Things like that happen all the time.

It is remotely possible that this could be Apple's fault. I know many of you think that Apple is incapable of making a faulty product, but they have in the past and things only seem to be getting worse as far as quality control is concerned.

 

[compuguy1088]

Ah, you Brits 😉
First of all, EU-continental SCHUCO plugs are quite sturdy and fine. And, of course they (2 prong - but round and quite a bit thicker than the US ones) have grounding; it's on the top / bottom. Just like everywhere else, some appliances use it, some don't 🙂

I do say - I never liked the new US plugs - I travel a lot and had to get the old-style one for the sake of being able to freely exchange plugs. Oh well.

Cheers,
Dan



Ill back you up 😀. 3 prongs, which are all quite thick by standard to fit in the holes. You can't twist it to pull it out because its got 3 prongs too. Electricals that i've had imported from european countries with the 2-pin plugs dont seem as sturdy, no matter how strong the adapter is. And wheres the grounding wire in a 2 prong plug???

[/QUOTE]

Three Prong US isn't new, its been around for awhile.....

Because I'm Homer Simp-

<snip image>

Oh Grimey...we hardly new ye......

 

[Col127]

totally don't agree. where do you have facts to back this up ? i've owned like 6 macs in my life and never had ANY problems whatsoever.

Geez, Apple's quality assurance has really gone down the cr**per. With this, batteries, laptops, etc. I've been looking at Consumer Reports and Apple laptops & desktops used to need the least number of repairs. Now they need the most.

However, those new power adapters are super-small! Can I get the new ones at an Apple store or something? Only thing I miss is the fold in prongs.

 

[pkoch1]

For those of you saying it must be the consumer's error to break off a prong in an outlet:

I plugged in my iPhone behind the couch, pushed the couch back a little bit by accident and broke a prong off. Maybe my fault, but having a live piece of metal on my floor when there is a puppy running around is not a good thing, and it's never happened to me on any other plug I've plugged in there. I think Apple is taking the responsible route and making some sturdier plugs to prevent any other issues.

 

[Lershac]

It doesn't, but I wonder if they'll do anything when they see that particular serial is not tied to a AT&T account... It looks to me like a sneaky way to conduct a roll call.

And a damn expensive one. They can just cross reference their databases to see who is not an account holder. Thats alot easier than a multimillion dollar recall effort

 

[j763]

Is anyone else getting:

We're sorry, but the serial number for this product has already been submitted for this replacement program.

WTF mate 😡

 

[guzhogi]

totally don't agree. where do you have facts to back this up ? i've owned like 6 macs in my life and never had ANY problems whatsoever.

Umm… Consumer Reports. And personal experience. On my MacBook Pro, I had the hard drive die on me, & the GPU die twice. The latter time, when it was in the shop, Apple called me saying they found other issues so they just gave me a totally new MBP. Nice, but still frustrating. Plus, before I got my MBP, I got an iBook G3 in 2001. That was recalled b/c of manufacturing issue. Plus, I work in an all Mac school district & have seen several eMacs, MBPs, iMacs die. Plus, 2 months ago, we just had a Power Mac 8100 die. Yes, that's like almost a 15 year old computer, outlasting a lot of our newer ones. Plus, this was used by kindergartners, ie 5-6 year olds. And anyone who has/works with kids know that 5-6 year olds aren't exactly the most cautious people out there.

 

[krulz133]

I keep getting an error page when trying to request a replacement, just after the shipping info page. Is it just me, or are others getting it too? Overloaded, maybe?

 

[sra. Aguirre]

i hope this is the only thing outside of the many everyday iphone issues we already have to deal with.

my senses tell me this will not be the only iphone related apple product recalled.

?

That's my hunch too and that's why I am waiting for the bugs in these new generation Iphones to be dealt with......dunno, I am still not completely convinced of their software/hardware reliability! or am i being paranoid... hmmm guess so...

 

[IAmHeAsYouAreHe]

Yeah, I've always had problems with the hardware

I've owned a Powermac 6500 (or was it called Performa?), an iBook, and now a PowerBook G4. I had probably 3-4 major problems with each (power starter, monitor, hard drive, monitor, monitor, USB port, disc drive, power adaptor, power adaptor), had a bum ipod or two, and I'm sure something else I've long forgotten about. And my old Airport.

I do have to admit, though, that I flat out dropped my PowerBook on its corner on a wood floor, and it majorly dented the corner and kept working without a problem since. Still, I guess I'm a little naively old school and think you should stand by a product for its life and not virtually require insurance (ie, AppleCare). I hope I've waited out the iphone bugginess long enough...I hope.

 

[DJ88]

This is perfect. A few weeks ago a picture frame hanging on a wall fell off (narrowly missing my iPhone 😱) and landed on my power adapter breaking one of the metal prongs, but it didn't get stuck in the outlet though.

I was lazy to get a new one and I didn't want to have it charging on my computer forever so this is perfect timing!

 

[Snowy_River]

This SU*CKS....i dont care what anyone says, none of you have to go to 5 executives and tell them not to use their power adapters, right after, "i need to update your iphone to the new firmware 2.1" and interrupt their daily craziness and get a "jeez, whats wrong with this phone constantly needing updates??"....

nice apple...nice way to try to get in the Enterprise... YOU ARE FN FAILING...FAILING!!!

Jeez, if you can't find an appropriate way to schedule updates without interrupting the executives, then maybe the problem isn't with the phone. We regularly have to have updates of all kinds at the company where I work. Usually, they are scheduled weeks in advance. Occasionally, when something that is critical comes up, they are scheduled days or hours in advance. In any event, it's a foregone conclusion that working with high-tech gismos includes taking time for updates. It's the IT department's responsibility to make sure that these don't have an unduly negative impact on the overall productivity of the business.

As to the power adaptors, I would think that either you provide different power adaptors, or you inspect their power adaptors to see if they are suffering from loose prongs. In any event, you should provide an adequate solution for these five executives. After all, five of the standard power adaptors would only cost about $150. That should be chump change compared to any time lost to them to inconvenience. Right?

Sure, it's a nuisance. And maybe it's a bit of a PR black eye. But, if it's handled reasonably well by IT people who aren't inclined to try to convince the executives that Apple products aren't worth spending money on, then it shouldn't be a major issue. And it certainly shouldn't be something to lead to you screaming about Apple 'failing'.

 

[Dammit Cubs]

I'm not surprised. Apple's hardware quality has been going down the tubes over the last few years. I think I'm going to go the hackintosh route...

I think you're looking at this all wrong. Apple approve every piece that goes into each part, but all of apple's manufacturing parts are from different vendors...Including the power supply.

Apple stuff broke all long before as well. It's just that its getting alot more media attention. They aren't perfect and neither is anyone else.

Stop saying that their "quality" is going down. You don't even know what that even means except for whine whine whine whine whine.

 

[JimAtLaw]

I keep getting an error page when trying to request a replacement, just after the shipping info page. Is it just me, or are others getting it too? Overloaded, maybe?

I just keep getting "We're sorry, an error has occurred while processing the request. Please try again." when I enter my serial number. Anyone else seeing this?

 

[LewisBeechey]

Thank god the UK has sturdy plugs...

 

[TehDan]

LewisBeechy: Are you serious? Apple's UK adapters for iPod/macbook PSUs are possibly the most dangerous piece of electrical equipment I've seen! Take a close look, even a slight knock and the whole back piece of the plug will break off leaving exposed pins. I've seen this happen, a colleague caught a macbook power adapter plugged in with one of those things when walking by, didn't realise what she'd done and bent down to plug it back in. Fortunately the quick-thinking owner saw what had happened and managed to knock her out the way just before she came in direct contact with 240V.

I've not seen a US mini iPhone 3G charger, but I can't imagine they are more dangerous than the UK plug adapters, sounds like they have exactly the same problem.

I chuck these things out the minute I get them, and tell others to do the same.

 

[LewisBeechey]

LewisBeechy: Are you serious? Apple's UK adapters for iPod/macbook PSUs are possibly the most dangerous piece of electrical equipment I've seen! Take a close look, even a slight knock and the whole back piece of the plug will break off leaving exposed pins. I've seen this happen, a colleague caught a macbook power adapter plugged in with one of those things when walking by, didn't realise what she'd done and bent down to plug it back in. Fortunately the quick-thinking owner saw what had happened and managed to knock her out the way just before she came in direct contact with 240V.

I've not seen a US mini iPhone 3G charger, but I can't imagine they are more dangerous than the UK plug adapters, sounds like they have exactly the same problem.

I chuck these things out the minute I get them, and tell others to do the same.

You make a good point. My wrong choice of wording is to blame!

Apple should sort out their plugs!

 

[ryanwarsaw]

I'm always wary of US-style power sockets/adapters. Something just feels less 'safe' about them than the UK ones.

I'm sure there'll be a wordly brit who can back up what I'm saying 😛

dear god you really prefer those boat anchors we have as plugs in the UK? They are just over kill. American plugs work fine when they aren't ummm defective.

 

[Hawkeye411]

Your screen name is "Mac Sux" if the company sucks so bad why do you buy their product? That my friend id the definition of an "idiot". You are such a loser, buying stuff that "sux".

Actually .. this is the definition of idiot:

id·i·ot
Pronunciation: \ˈi-dē-ət\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French ydiote, from Latin idiota ignorant person, from Greek idiōtēs one in a private station, layman, ignorant person, from idios one's own, private; akin to Latin suus one's own — more at suicide
Date: 14th century

1: usually offensive : a person affected with extreme mental retardation
2: a foolish or stupid person
3: a person who gets upset when when Apple produces a defective product
4: a person who can't accept that Apple products are not perfect

 

[AbSoluTc]

I signed up after reading this thread.

I too think it has more to do with idiots than anything honestly. I and my brother both looked at the adapter and wondered how the hell was it possible to break these pins off in an outlet. I am sure anything is possible, but day to day use? Just didn't see it happening.

I applaud Apple for fixing the issue and NOT CHARGING the consumer. Especially the consumers that plan on RIPPING THEM OFF by not returning the defective adapter. That's very kind of you.

My next thing is, I have an iPhone and have had NO problems with it. I have one minor issue, but that is nothing with the workings of the phone.

Anyone consider that the pins may appear fine and sturdy, however after use and a certain amount of HEAT - the insides become brittle/crack and then that is what causes the problem? Could be. I also blame the UL. Slacking much? This is where you all are suppose to be testing stuff.


Also for all you whiners out there - all those extension cords you have - HAVE LEAD IN THEM! Yeah. You've been touching them and your kids and they have LEAN IN THEM! Go after China for that crap. Or is it easier to go after Apple for replacing a faulty item ? Lol.

Some of you are just stupid. Yeah, I called you stupid. 😱

 

[carfac]

...And wheres the grounding wire in a 2 prong plug???

You.

Duh.

 

[Phil A.]

LewisBeechy: Are you serious? Apple's UK adapters for iPod/macbook PSUs are possibly the most dangerous piece of electrical equipment I've seen! Take a close look, even a slight knock and the whole back piece of the plug will break off leaving exposed pins. I've seen this happen, a colleague caught a macbook power adapter plugged in with one of those things when walking by, didn't realise what she'd done and bent down to plug it back in. Fortunately the quick-thinking owner saw what had happened and managed to knock her out the way just before she came in direct contact with 240V.

I've not seen a US mini iPhone 3G charger, but I can't imagine they are more dangerous than the UK plug adapters, sounds like they have exactly the same problem.

I chuck these things out the minute I get them, and tell others to do the same.

I don't understand what you're saying here: Yes, you can knock the adapter off the plug, leaving the plug in the wall, but the mains voltage bits are recessed into the plug and you can't accidentally touch them: Are you saying the entire plug will break away if you catch it right (wrong)? If so, it's not something I've ever seen, but I'll be more careful in the future 🙂