“As 2017 turned to 2018, Apple faced a swell of consumer anger,” Kif Leswing reports for Business Insider. “Users had claimed for years that Apple slowed down their older iPhones through software updates. When one maker of benchmark software produced data and analysis that showed that a few notable software updates did seem to slow down the iPhone’s processor, criticism exploded.”
“Apple said that the processor slowdown was related to aging batteries, and that the processor throttling software was introduced to prevent older iPhones from shutting down unexpectedly,” Leswing reports. “But there was a lot of consumer anger, leading to class-action lawsuits, and even investigations from the US Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission.”
“Now, Apple says in a recent SEC filing that it has set aside some money to pay for the litigation as a contingency,” Leswing reports. “Apple declined to comment when asked by Business Insider the monetary value of that estimate.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Some lessons are more expensive to learn than others.
SEE ALSO:
Apple replaced 11 million iPhone batteries under their $29 replacement program – January 15, 2019
Two things Tim Cook just did that make Apple look guilty today – January 3, 2019
Apple’s reduced rate battery replacement program ends December 15th – December 3, 2018
Apple clarifies policy on $29 battery replacements: All iPhone 6 and later devices are eligible – January 2, 2018
Why Apple’s response to iPhone ‘batterygate’ is brilliant – December 30, 2017
Australian lawyers to launch largest-ever class action against Apple over iPhone ‘batterygate’ – December 29, 2017
The most annoying things about Apple’s iPhone ‘batterygate’ apology – December 29, 2017
iFixit discounts iPhone battery replacement kits as Apple cuts prices, apologizes for the confusion – December 29, 2017
15 class action lawsuits filed against Apple for throttling iPhones with aging batteries – December 29, 2017
Apple apologizes for poor communication about iPhone batteries and performance; slashes battery replacement cost from $79 to $29 – December 28, 2017
No, Apple’s throttling of iPhones with aging batteries is not planned obsolescence – December 28, 2017
Apple execs face jail in France after lawsuit over slowing down iPhones – December 28, 2017
Korea seeks explanation from Apple for slowing down devices without warning – December 28, 2017
Apple now facing 8 lawsuits over throttling processors in iPhones with aging batteries – December 27, 2017
Apple tarnished their brand with clandestine iPhone battery management and processor throttling – December 27, 2017
Should Apple replace aging iPhone batteries for free instead of throttling processor speed? – December 21, 2017
Apple confirms iPhones with older batteries will take hits in performance – December 20, 2017
iPhone performance and battery age – December 18, 2017
Apple met with Chinese regulators to discuss iPhone 6s unexpected shutdowns – February 10, 2017
Rumor: Apple may extend iPhone 6s battery replacement program to iPhone 6 – January 17, 2017
A message from Apple about iPhone and unexpected shutdowns – December 2, 2016
Apple offers free battery replacement for ‘very small number’ of iPhone 6s units with unexpected shutdown issue – November 21, 2016
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “TJ” for the heads up.]
Apple is such an easy target for lawsuits. I have often wondered if a company such as Hewlett-Packard gets as many lawsuits for selling somewhat faulty computer products. I would think they would have many of the same problems Apple has. However, it’s always Apple getting the most publicity over products with hardware and software problems.
What about Samsung. They sell far more mobile devices than Apple and many much less expensive smartphones than iPhones so how come Samsung isn’t flooded with lawsuits over niggling quality control problems? Does it have something to do with higher-quality product expectations? Something like, Apple products are much too expensive to be faulty?
Cook has embroiled Apple in more scandals than Hillary Clinton:
Samsung-gate
Qualcomm-gate
Facebook-gate
FBI-Privacy-gate
Mapgate
Throttlegate
iPhone Bendgate
iPad Bendgate
Group Facetimegate
And the complete list of all Cook’s foibles, scandals, and unnecessarily distracting litagation battles over the past 8-years could easily fill volumes.
Uuuuuurggghh. (Lurch. Wave arms.) Uuuuurghhhhh. Brrrraainzzz. (Lurch.)
LOL… good one.
Mr Zero, vomit speak
The hubris of hiding it, the hubris of expecting to not excessively stress a needlessly small battery is less forgivable than technical mistakes.
And that’s before factoring in price and claims.
And there it is – the partisanship attached to the rants! Not that it surprised me – the linkage seemed obvious given the language and types of complaints.
Every laptop sold is sold with things throttled to improve battery life.