Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
Summary
An iPad owner claims their touch-screen tablet overheats and turns off when left in the sunlight, is suing Apple.
Topics
Most gadget owners know that leaving any piece of electronic equipment in the direct sunlight isn't a great idea. Now an iPad owner, who claims their touch-screen tablet overheats and turns off when left in the sunlight, is suing Apple.
Bloomberg reported Tuesday that the complaint was filed Friday in federal court in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit is seeking class-action status and asks for unspecified damages because the device "overheats so quickly under common weather conditions." The suit says Apple's iPad "does not live up to the reasonable consumer's expectations created by Apple.
It's not the first time we've heard the iPad overheating complaint. PC Magazine editor Zach Honig said on Twitter that he took his iPad out in the sun on a warm day in New York City, and 10 minutes later, it shut down with the message: "iPad needs to cool down before you can use it." Honig said he stuck his iPad in the fridge and it was back to normal a few minutes later.
For more on this story, read Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight on CNET News.
Talkback Most Recent of 113 Talkback(s)
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RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
Great, another person who doesn't understand that you should not use small high heat generating devices in direct sunlight. So this person really had to sue, outstanding let's just sue the whole world. Let's drive the prices of technology through the roof so no one can afford it!!
jakenhauser2328th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@jakenhauser23
Isn't one of the selling points of the iPad the fact that it's form factor makes it a perfect match for people on the move.
Are you telling me that people can be on the move, just not outside.
I can't go out and sit on my hammock, are read an ebook, like I do a regular book? This should be a law suit.
I'ts false advertising if they say you can't use it outside. And yes, if it sits on a table in the sun for an hour. I agree that is abusive. But 10 minutes? That is crap product, or false advertising, or both.
DanLM28th Jul 2010 -
Agreed.
@DanLM
I think suing is overkill. But the device should be more tolerant of the heat
DevGuy_z28th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@DanLM
I am merely pointing out that direct sunlight will likely cause a lot of devices to overheat, it is a pretty simple concept. Suing Apple because something in the sun got to hot is overkill. Try it with a laptop or any other mobile device, the are all likely to overheat a bit. These lawsuits are just getting a little crazy, next someone will sue god for getting a sunburn. Where does it end?jakenhauser2328th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@jakenhauser23
I'm surprised it does that quickly.
I do not own one but all my other devices (phone, notebook, nook, etc) can go for a long time in the sun.
rhonin28th Jul 2010 -
Why sue?
@DanLM For monetary compensation? Tough case.
Apple is *not* going to fix this. The only fix would negate it's greatest asset - small size. They would have to enlarge the case to install cooling fans, and that would also shorten battery life.
Keep it in the shade. Don't pour your Coke on it.
becabill29th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@DanLM
Good point.... After all, I can leave my paper book in the sun and it doesn't overheat. I can pick it up hours later and it's still readable, and I don't have to stick it in the fridge to make it work. I guess you pay for what you get......
rgoeken1@...1st Aug 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@jakenhauser23
Apple wants it both ways. Just like the iPhone, which works if you hold it JUST right in one hand and a dead chicken in the other. Apple deserves to be sued over the phone and iPad for fradulent and deceptive advertising.
s.mims@...28th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@s.mims@...
Again here are the operating parameters in case you missed them. If you don't follow the rules things may not work. I live in Alabama and it gets plenty hot here and I would not necessarily get pissed if the temp is 105 degrees and my iPad shuts down after ten minutes. This would be me operating it above the maximum recommended temperature. See I didn't follow the rules and this is what happens, but I am not going to sue Apple over my boneheaded mistake. Now the issue with the iPhone I fully agree with you on.
Operating temperature: 32 to 95 F (0 to 35 C)
Nonoperating temperature: -4 to 113 F (-20 to 45 C)
Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 mjakenhauser2328th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@s.mims@...
"and a dead chicken in the other."
Does fried chicken count?
Jkirk327929th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@jakenhauser23
Are you nuts?? My car stereo works just fine even when the interior temp is over 120 degrees!! So does the DVD player in fact! Not to mention my cell phone (an older 'smart' phone) and other electronics.
Also, I use a laptop in direct sunlight (not easy to do but I have a screen shield so I can see better) for HOURS sometimes on days where the temps are in the 80's and have not had it fail me yet (well, once, but that was because I forgot to plug the power cord in... silly me) nor do my JBL EON speakers (I am a mobile DJ - doing lots of weddings at the beach in Santa Barbara) which get VERY hot. My OLD ones did (had a seperate AMP, these speakers have a built in AMP) but not these.
The only issue I have with direct sunlight is me getting burnt to a crisp if I don't put on sunscreen...
djalan28th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@djalan
Actually I'm good, thanks for asking. The point everyone seems to be missing is if the ambient temperature is outside of the specified operating range you are more likely to have issues. That is all I am saying, not trying to really be a pain, I just hate seeing everyone jump and run to court because they didn't follow the directions. As far as the sunscreen thing goes, I am right there with you!! LOL!!jakenhauser2328th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@djalan
"My car stereo works just fine even when the interior temp is over 120 degrees!"
Car electronics has to be hardened just to deal with extremes of heat, cold, and vibration.
The components in a car stereo can be spaced farther apart, since the case doesn't need to be small enough to put in your pocket.
That helps quite a lot. As electronics shrink heat becomes more and more of a problem.
GE invented synthetic diamond tech YEARS ago... the idea was to build all the electronics on a synthetic diamond substrate that would easily conduct the heat away and allow for smaller die sizes.
Unfortunately DeBeers didn't like that idea. And the tech got shelved.
Maybe somebody else will pick it up again using carbon nanorods instead.Jkirk327929th Jul 2010 -
The equipment you list...
@djalan ...isn't built with the same extremely high component density as the iPad. Those tightly packed chips have much less free airflow and that results in more rapid heat buildup, hence the 95 degree max operating ambient.
A lot of portable equipment is coated with a heat reflecting finish, but I can see that as being problematic with an iPad.becabill29th Jul 2010 -
RE: Apple sued over iPad overheating in sunlight
@jakenhauser23
The Apple Tax is already through the roof!!!
windozefreak28th Jul 2010
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