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Italy Fines Apple $12 Million for Misleading iPhone Water Resistance Claims
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This is exactly the goal of apple marketing. Sell AppleCare-less by any means possible, and then deny claims.
'We absolutely love our customers' —Tim Cook
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Well then where exactly are those stories genius if you say they are all true? Why aren't those people here too? UH HUH!
Perhaps I’m lucky, but I shot a longish underwater video in a swimming pool with my XS Max. Worked like a charm. Of course I knew that it would be very difficult to get any kind of warranty compensation, should anything happen. But I wanted to do it, so I did. The video was excellent. When first trying to charge the phone, there was a message saying it needed to dry out. Took a couple hours, and then it charged again.
I actually made this argument many years ago on this forum and was mostly chastised for it.
I don't understand how someone can claim water resistance, and even give specific parameters, but then deny all water damaged warranty claims. In my eyes, one shouldn't even be marketing water resistance at all if they reserve the right to deny water damage.
Before I get chastised again, I get it. There's no tangible way for Apple to know whether you dropped the phone a mile deep in sea water or you dropped it in your kitchen sink while doing the dishes. The problem is, the burden of proof really shouldn't have to be on the consumer. They could just... not advertise water resistance.
I also get that other companies make similar claims. I don't support those either. And I'll never justify one company's problematic actions with those of another.
I don't understand how someone can claim water resistance, and even give specific parameters, but then deny all water damaged warranty claims. In my eyes, one shouldn't even be marketing water resistance at all if they reserve the right to deny water damage.
Before I get chastised again, I get it. There's no tangible way for Apple to know whether you dropped the phone a mile deep in sea water or you dropped it in your kitchen sink while doing the dishes. The problem is, the burden of proof really shouldn't have to be on the consumer. They could just... not advertise water resistance.
I also get that other companies make similar claims. I don't support those either. And I'll never justify one company's problematic actions with those of another.
Off topic, but to the defense of the iPhone 7 I must add I've on spare iPhone 7 that a friend heavily abused. Dropped it many times. Ultimately he dropped it into water... Naturally, with the screen cracked instant water ingress.
As the phone still worked afterwards, I disassembled it to replace the screen and see what was wrong with the taptic engine as it didn't work anymore. Well... the taptic engine at that point was heavily correded. I replaced it as well.
The phone, despite a little further internal corrosion works till that day...
Important step when dropping electronics in water: Switch off imediately to prevent internal short circuits. Flush with clean water (if was submerged in salt water), put in a bag of rice or other material that absorbs water. That process may be accelerated by putting it in an oven (not microwave) at low temperate (set to 50°C/120°F max).
Have you ever lived in the tropics, I have, sometimes humidity/Temp is 100%/35+ Degrees Celsius, your phone is fine.
I believe that each country is sovereign and has the ability to these kinds of tests and cross check with their findings. Especially western countries, the so called western democratic coalition, secular political allies.
Are you suggesting that because something is passed by US legislator and regulators therefore all countries should in line of US decisions with no cross checking? Humm. Interesting. We are going through a very weird cultural and political phase in the US.
PS: No. My position is not against Apple at all. Apple in this case is just a variable name a company. I‘m just not an organization ass kisser. Apple excels in certain things, is good in some and bad in others.
Those people are probably using the water resistance to good advantage: https://9to5mac.com/2018/12/15/iphone-water-resistant-capsized-boat/
Excellent observations. In fairness if a feature is rather temporary and may or may not work over time, it’s probably not the most clever idea to run ads for.
Not being an ass kisser, is different than being an "instant critic".
One can see that if here in the US, the claims and disclaimers about water resistance are the way these things are measured and the Italian watchdogs don't like the US measurement system and disclaimers relating to the marketing and they fine Apple, it really seems like a money grab more than anything else.
Here's food for thought on the entire business of waterproof/water resistant consumer products:
Water in Rolex Watch: Will Water Damage My Rolex? How Do I Fix It?
Most customers are a bit annoyed that their rolex watch has now failed them, since it is an expensive watch and supposed to be able to go in the water.
blog.watchdoctor.biz
So now you a are a water resistance expert. Welcome to the pocket based experts of the anything (should I say, smartphone).
Look man. It’s not biggie. I’m sure Apple can cope with Italy and judge if they are loosing money by complying with their policies or not. I wish Apple would have an Apple Store in my country Portugal. We are not doin this “evil” to them
.EDIT: Let’s not go that path of a countries credibility amongst allies. Wanna talk about the waging war over the supposed WMD that were never found? What about US regulators giving a pass on house morgages and toxic CDO’s that eventually let to a international finance crash? What about the current US president stating that the US legislative system is corrupt. Honesteely in your case I would be more humble and pragmatical. A bit of respect and less judgement I think it would be warranted in a world that seams to be going bzerk in many aspects. In terms of the democratic process and corruption, spare the lecture. Let’s instead work together and improve whatever we have. That is the path. “This is the way”
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According to the verdict, this investigation was in response to Apple customers who had requested the authority to look into the matter. If Samsung customers have filed similar complaints about Samsung, this would presumably be handled in a Samsung investigation.
No, I'm just an expert in picking apart internet diatribe.
It's not about the $12M, which you and I know is pocket change for Apple and the cost of doing business, it's more about this seems like a money grab as the watchdog agency doesn't like the testing methodology applied in the USA.Welcome to the pocket based experts of the anything (should I say, smartphone).
Look man. It’s not biggie. I’m sure Apple can cope with Italy and judge if they are loosing money by complying with their policies or not. I wish Apple would have an Apple Store in my country Portugal. We are not doin this “evil” to them
It is quite simple really.
If Apple claims hat their phone has "a rating of IP68 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 6 metres up to 30 minutes)" as they do, then I expect it to behave as advertised.
I am amazed, while I was expecting this on page 1 and one of the first 10 or so posts, instead it's on page 3 #52.
So in a way, there's progress.
Stop these foolish comments.
Under what circumstances? Out of the box? After one has owned the phone for 1 month, 1 year, 10 years? If you've dropped it? If you have left it in the hot sun? Exposed it to the cold? Used harsh chemicals on the phone? etc...
Apple has made it clear phones are tested under laboratory conditions and based on that I treat my phone as if it is not water resistant.
Fair enough, but that is exactly why the IP68 claim is wholly misleading, especially when accompanied by advertisements such as the one included in the article. All of that is pretty much at the heart of the Italian charges.
Well. Im terms of money grab you should probably be more concerned what your own regulatory institutions did regarding CDO and CDS that lead to a global market crash worth BILLIONS of profit to American financial organizations, that eventual lead to the European financial crises for distraction. On top billions of dollars taken from American tax payers to cover it up, just in the US ... because this happened all over Europe too ... European and US citizens are still paying for it. Wanna talk about corruption?
Stop lecturing your allies. Your are in no moral higher ground to do so.
We just don’t have enough data about this situation yet you seam quick to judge the Italian regularity agency, country even, over an Apple issue. It’s ridiculous.
As said, this is not the path! It’s a crazy path to follow! Don’t you think?
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Maybe the difference between water-resistant and waterproof got lost in translation from English to Italian.