Hahaha! I have nothing really constructive to add that hasn't slready been said. Just to add my name to the "**** this ****" list. Where is that Everest-sized meteor when you need it? Nothing less than a full crust reset and biological sterilisation will suffice. Nice try, nature. Next time don't **** it up!
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Apple Sued for Choosing Not to 'Lock-Out' iPhones Behind the Wheel to Prevent Texting and Driving
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Obviously cars should disable themselves as soon as anybody gets in them to avoid them causing injury. That's fixed it...
How about punishing the stupid people? You know, hold people responsible for the results of their own actions.
California resident Julio Ceja is seeking a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of placing profit before consumer safety by choosing not to implement a lock-out mechanism that would disable an iPhone's functionality when being used behind the wheel by an engaged driver.
Ceja demands that Apple halt the sale of all iPhones in California until a lock-out mechanism is implemented. He also demands that Apple release a software update that adds a lock-out mechanism to all iPhones already in the hands of consumers. He is not seeking further damages beyond legal fees and costs.
The complaint, filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, asserts that Apple's willful decision not to implement a lock-out mechanism on iPhones, chiefly to prevent texting and driving, constitutes "unfair business acts and practices" under California's Unfair Competition Law. A jury trial has been demanded.
Ceja asserts that Apple's "enormous market share" means that it is the "largest contributor" to texting and driving, while noting it is "downright shocking" that smartphone companies like Apple "do nothing to help shield the public at large from the dangers associated with the use of their phones."
"If texting and driving is a vessel of trouble, Apple is the captain of the ship," the complaint alleges.
The complaint claims that Apple recognized the dangers of texting and driving, and the important role it should play in stopping it, in its lock-out mechanism patent filed in 2008 and published in 2014.
The patent notes that "texting while driving has become a major concern of parents, law enforcement, and the general public," and further claims that "texting while driving has become so widespread it is doubtful that law enforcement will have any significant effect on stopping the practice."
The patent describes one method where a motion analyzer would detect whether a handheld device is in motion beyond a certain speed. A scenery analyzer would be able to determine whether the holder of the handheld device is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle. Otherwise, the device could be disabled.
In other embodiments, a vehicle or car key could transmit a signal that disables functionality of the handheld device while it is being operated. To a lesser degree, a vehicle could also transmit a signal that merely sends the device a notification stating that functionality should be disabled.
In November, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended smartphone makers develop a "Driver Mode", a simplified interface that would prevent access to non-driving-related tasks such as text messaging, social media, and viewing images and video unrelated to driving.
The complaint comes less than one month after a Texas family sued Apple for failing to enable said lock-out mechanisms to prevent distracted driving. On Christmas Eve in 2014, the family's vehicle was struck by a distracted driver who admitted to using FaceTime while driving. The accident caused one fatality.
Apple has faced other similar lawsuits in the past. In response to a Texas lawsuit filed in 2015, Apple indicated the responsibility is on the driver to avoid distractions in a statement provided to The New York Times:Ceja himself was rear ended by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. Whether this latest complaint has merit will be up to the court to decide. Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
Article Link: Apple Sued for Choosing Not to 'Lock-Out' iPhones Behind the Wheel to Prevent Texting and Driving
Attorneys get nearly all the money on lawsuits like this. Apart from personal responsibility meaning nothing anymore, this is just a cash grab.
Also, I thought "market share" was important? Why not go after Google? Oh, right. Apple is the only smartphone manufacturer that makes any money.
Complete BS.
Also, I thought "market share" was important? Why not go after Google? Oh, right. Apple is the only smartphone manufacturer that makes any money.
Complete BS.
We already have this, it's called CarPlay. If people don't implement it, that is not Apple's problem. Same goes for Android Auto. If users don't see value in having it in their vehicles that is there issue not the company building the software running the phone.
Yes, people need to start being personally responsible for their actions. Imagine that! If you want to make laws that cover every possible way someone could screw up, nearly everything you do will be illegal.
Long as we're on the subject, I might as well admit that I'm suing Coca Cola because some homeless guy left an empty bottle in my front yard.
Yep, remember that unfounded lawsuit against mcdonalds having coffee too hot.........uh, bad example. Sorry.
How does that help save the thousands of lives lost or maimed?
Do you believe people are going to not be stupid anymore?
That lawsuit happened to be a bad cliche. The woman in question was seeking reimbursement for medical expenses, after McDonalds served coffee hot enough to cause 3rd degree burns. Most people expect hot coffee to hurt. They don't expect to receive burns that require skin grafts.
It's weird that they didn't make changes earlier, considering that others had incurred injuries. A couple decades later, people still inaccurately portray that lawsuit.
I remember hearing a comedian suggest that we ban seatbelts and cover every dashboard with razor sharp knives.
Why doesn't the idiot dumba$$ complainant sue Google which has its Android OS in more phones than Apple does.
Ceja asserts that … smartphone companies like Apple "do nothing to help shield the public at large from the dangers associated with the use of their phones."
"If texting and driving is a vessel of trouble, Apple is the captain of the ship," the complaint alleges.
"If texting and driving is a vessel of trouble, Apple is the captain of the ship," the complaint alleges.
I think the idea is, after the seventh or eighth widely publicized execution of someone who caused a death or severe injury while driving distracted, likely a lot of those stupid people might decide that driving distracted is worth avoiding.
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The woman put the HOT COFFEE in between her LEGS and drove away from the restaurant! She sued for a MILLION DOLLARS!
California resident Julio Ceja is seeking a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of placing profit before consumer safety by choosing not to implement a lock-out mechanism that would disable an iPhone's functionality when being used behind the wheel by an engaged driver.
Ceja demands that Apple halt the sale of all iPhones in California until a lock-out mechanism is implemented. He also demands that Apple release a software update that adds a lock-out mechanism to all iPhones already in the hands of consumers. He is not seeking further damages beyond legal fees and costs.
The complaint, filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, asserts that Apple's willful decision not to implement a lock-out mechanism on iPhones, chiefly to prevent texting and driving, constitutes "unfair business acts and practices" under California's Unfair Competition Law. A jury trial has been demanded.
Ceja asserts that Apple's "enormous market share" means that it is the "largest contributor" to texting and driving, while noting it is "downright shocking" that smartphone companies like Apple "do nothing to help shield the public at large from the dangers associated with the use of their phones."
"If texting and driving is a vessel of trouble, Apple is the captain of the ship," the complaint alleges.
The complaint claims that Apple recognized the dangers of texting and driving, and the important role it should play in stopping it, in its lock-out mechanism patent filed in 2008 and published in 2014.
The patent notes that "texting while driving has become a major concern of parents, law enforcement, and the general public," and further claims that "texting while driving has become so widespread it is doubtful that law enforcement will have any significant effect on stopping the practice."
The patent describes one method where a motion analyzer would detect whether a handheld device is in motion beyond a certain speed. A scenery analyzer would be able to determine whether the holder of the handheld device is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle. Otherwise, the device could be disabled.
In other embodiments, a vehicle or car key could transmit a signal that disables functionality of the handheld device while it is being operated. To a lesser degree, a vehicle could also transmit a signal that merely sends the device a notification stating that functionality should be disabled.
In November, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended smartphone makers develop a "Driver Mode", a simplified interface that would prevent access to non-driving-related tasks such as text messaging, social media, and viewing images and video unrelated to driving.
The complaint comes less than one month after a Texas family sued Apple for failing to enable said lock-out mechanisms to prevent distracted driving. On Christmas Eve in 2014, the family's vehicle was struck by a distracted driver who admitted to using FaceTime while driving. The accident caused one fatality.
Apple has faced other similar lawsuits in the past. In response to a Texas lawsuit filed in 2015, Apple indicated the responsibility is on the driver to avoid distractions in a statement provided to The New York Times:Ceja himself was rear ended by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. Whether this latest complaint has merit will be up to the court to decide. Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
Article Link: Apple Sued for Choosing Not to 'Lock-Out' iPhones Behind the Wheel to Prevent Texting and Driving
When will we start taking responsibility for our own actions?
A shame this won't go far as it could have been one of Apple's upcoming original programs. It would make for some great comedy.
That's interesting (and kind of makes a mockery of having a speed limit). In the UK, the limit is the limit, regardless.
And what about all other providers who create phones? Just because the accident happened with an iPhone doesn't mean go after the company. Do I think texting and driving is a distraction? Yes.........but, it comes down to the person doing it, not the phone company. Yes, maybe they should have a mode that stops people from texting and driving but don't just single out Apple as the only player on the field!
California resident Julio Ceja is seeking a class action lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of placing profit before consumer safety by choosing not to implement a lock-out mechanism that would disable an iPhone's functionality when being used behind the wheel by an engaged driver.
Ceja demands that Apple halt the sale of all iPhones in California until a lock-out mechanism is implemented. He also demands that Apple release a software update that adds a lock-out mechanism to all iPhones already in the hands of consumers. He is not seeking further damages beyond legal fees and costs.
The complaint, filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, asserts that Apple's willful decision not to implement a lock-out mechanism on iPhones, chiefly to prevent texting and driving, constitutes "unfair business acts and practices" under California's Unfair Competition Law. A jury trial has been demanded.
Ceja asserts that Apple's "enormous market share" means that it is the "largest contributor" to texting and driving, while noting it is "downright shocking" that smartphone companies like Apple "do nothing to help shield the public at large from the dangers associated with the use of their phones."
"If texting and driving is a vessel of trouble, Apple is the captain of the ship," the complaint alleges.
The complaint claims that Apple recognized the dangers of texting and driving, and the important role it should play in stopping it, in its lock-out mechanism patent filed in 2008 and published in 2014.
The patent notes that "texting while driving has become a major concern of parents, law enforcement, and the general public," and further claims that "texting while driving has become so widespread it is doubtful that law enforcement will have any significant effect on stopping the practice."
The patent describes one method where a motion analyzer would detect whether a handheld device is in motion beyond a certain speed. A scenery analyzer would be able to determine whether the holder of the handheld device is located within a safe operating area of a vehicle. Otherwise, the device could be disabled.
In other embodiments, a vehicle or car key could transmit a signal that disables functionality of the handheld device while it is being operated. To a lesser degree, a vehicle could also transmit a signal that merely sends the device a notification stating that functionality should be disabled.
In November, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommended smartphone makers develop a "Driver Mode", a simplified interface that would prevent access to non-driving-related tasks such as text messaging, social media, and viewing images and video unrelated to driving.
The complaint comes less than one month after a Texas family sued Apple for failing to enable said lock-out mechanisms to prevent distracted driving. On Christmas Eve in 2014, the family's vehicle was struck by a distracted driver who admitted to using FaceTime while driving. The accident caused one fatality.
Apple has faced other similar lawsuits in the past. In response to a Texas lawsuit filed in 2015, Apple indicated the responsibility is on the driver to avoid distractions in a statement provided to The New York Times:Ceja himself was rear ended by a driver who was texting behind the wheel. Whether this latest complaint has merit will be up to the court to decide. Apple has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
Article Link: Apple Sued for Choosing Not to 'Lock-Out' iPhones Behind the Wheel to Prevent Texting and Driving
I mean Samsung adds TouchWiz. So they are tweaking the software of stock android and they very well could add a speed lock as well.
CarPlay or Android Auto is not equipped in every vehicle. Most of car manufacturers has starting to implement them recently and some still don't offer them at all. I believe it's less than 20% (not many) of all vehicles on the road.
Speeds limits are definitely treated differently in the states. Most officers will not pull you over if you are going within 5 over the speed limit. Unless it's a work zone or a zero tolerance speeding zone. Hell, I've flown by an officer going 15mph over and 5 minutes later he passed me at least doing 100mph.
I have very little knowledge of traffic laws in the U.K., but according to Top Gear (avid watcher of Clarkson era Top Gear) you guys have a lot of speed cams. Is that true? We have hardly any and more are being decommissioned yearly.
Autonomous driving technology will be the answer.
Either a completely autonomous car, or a system that takes over and breaks the car in case of danger.
It's possible but not all devices (iOS or android) are updatable. Some old apple devices are not supported in new iOS firmware updates and it's same or worse on android platform. IMO, this dumb@ss should've sue the driver who rear ended him not apple.
Bluetooth is an easy option for phone calls as most newer vehicles have this capability. Also there is no technical reason 911 emergency calls couldn't be excluded from driver usage prevention mechanisms.
And if only they would, I'd totally agree with you. Who needs the nanny state. The truth however is starkly different.
Being on the road a lot myself, and admittedly this is purely anecdotal, every time is see a vehicle (large or small) make some kind of dangerous maneuver, and I'm able to glance at the offending vehicle's driver, sure enough they are holding a cellphone or phablet in their hands. Not sure if there are statistics on this, but purely from observing traffic, I suspect we are having a serious safety problem on our hands that is of massive proportions, on par with if not exceeding, crashes caused by drunk drivers.
Not agreeing suing Apple is the solution to the problem, but something needs to be done to address the usage of hand-held devices by drivers. Preferably voluntarily by device manufacturers themselves, or failing that, thru legislation.
If you had a loved one killed by a texting driver, I venture to say many of the naysayers would reconsider their stance on this "crazy, frivolous, and overbearing interference" in our lives.
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