Users find Apple’s iPhone and iPod shocking, literally
No, seriously. Apple just put up a new support page in response to claims from many users regarding electrical shocks received from Apple’s iPhone and iPod earbuds. The shocks are described as “small and quick”, but clearly the issue is serious enough to warrant an official response from Apple. The aforementioned support page, found below on the read link, describes the situation as follows:
When using headphones in areas where the air is very dry, it is easy to build up static electricity and possible for your ear to receive a small electrostatic discharge from the headphones. Receiving a static shock from a pair of earbuds does not necessarily indicate an issue with the iPod, iPhone, or earbuds.
This condition is very similar to dragging your feet across a carpet and receiving a static shock by touching a door knob. However, instead of the static charge building up on your body, the charge builds up on the device that the earbuds are connected to. Likewise, instead of the static buildup discharging through your finger when you touch a door knob, it discharges through the earbuds.
Apple goes on to claim this is an issue that affects equipment from other manufacturers as well and then recommends a few solutions, such as using anti-static hand lotion or wearing “clothes with natural fibers since synthetic fibers are more likely to hold a static charge.” Umm, Apple wants people to change their wardrobes because its headphones are shocking ear canals? Yeah, so we’re going to go ahead and stick to third-party headsets from here on out. Kthx.
Thanks, Tyrone!
[Via Cnet]
nice pic bgr
Sent via Blackberry.
First!
those headphones are garbage anyways
That is an AWESOME picture!
I have earphones connected to a small TV in front of a treadmill.
You do not know electrostatic shock until you try that setup out.
In stereo, too.
Can you look like any more of an ass-hat than typing “first” and having the second comment?
I thought this was one of the Apple innovations that everyone always talks about!
Give it time and those Cupertino a-holes will likely start calling it an innovative feature that no other PMP or cellphone can provide.
sorry for the double-post. By a-holes, I meant marketing geniuses.
I use the headphones from the BB bold for my iPhone. Love the BB headphones.
Anywho,
to sum up the article:
If the area near the headphones is too dry, it might give you electrostatic shock.
To sum up experience with Apple:
If the area around the headphones gets moist, you’ll void ur warranty.
So yeahhh…
I’ve experienced “shocking” iPod earphones, but it certainly wasn’t from static. I could be listening on the train or while walking down the street and then all of a sudden BZZZZT! The earphone goes off. Five minutes later, BZZZZZZZT again! Aside from hurting (the buzzing seemed to be much louder than the iPod volume) and I became concerned that it would cause some permanent damage so stopped using the earphones. Not sure if this is the same type of buzzing that Apple is attributing to static…
Heh, My first pair of In-Ear Headphones from Apple was shocking my inner ear too.
I demanded a swap out. Turns out the 2nd pair worked perfectly fine.
Its the headphones, not static electricity.
Luckally i was able to swap them out no problem at the Apple Store
@boardtroll fanboy – douchebag
No wonder apple fan Boy’s had their brain shocked…..literally.
I always thought that ‘First’ meant ‘first’ and not ’second’.
Wow, I had no idea Apple thought we were that stupid.
hell, ever plug your itouch up at night? mine would arc along the metal trim and sometimes even give me a jolt… static electricity my ass lol
@Rusty
Same reason why cups of coffee say caution hot. Certain people are that stupid and need to be told so they can’t sue.
My VModa Vibes shock the hell out of me and not just with my iPod. It happens sometimes while using my laptop and has even caused the laptop to reboot before…
I have never been shocked by the headphones but I had my hand on the port for the charger on my iPod touch and I got shocked
So? This means?
Apple is pretty dead on with this for probably 98% of all cases. This issue is not confined to only iPod earbuds. Any build up of static electricity will look for the path of least resistance to escape, ie copper wire, which unfortunately for ends in the ears. This can be caused by removing a fleece coat on a cold dry day, etc.
This is barely news at all it’s meant to draw attention from the word apple
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
He probably misspelled “first” and ended up second. FAIL.
Had the same problem with the Sansa. But only on the treadmill.
It happens to me all the time with my V Moda earphones.