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Attention world: The iPhone dislikes moisture

by Dave Caolo Apr 9th 2009 at 2:00PM

There's a story at Click2Houston (I would have embedded the video if I had that option) about iPhone users who have had their devices ruined by excessive exposure to sweat. Specifically, they've been bringing them to the gym to provide a soundtrack to their workouts. Of course, sweat leaks into the iPhone's two moisture sensors (one in the headphone jack, one in the docking port) and it stops working. From the article:

"Both [customers] Keneker and Pittman use their iPhones at the gym to listen to music or use the calorie-counting fitness applications that actually come with the phone. They said Apple employees told them their sweaty palms are the likely culprit here."

There are no calorie-counting fitness applications that "...come with the phone." Sure, you can buy them in the App Store, but they're not built in. Also, Apple just so happens to make an iPod that was designed specifically as a workout accessory and it costs less than $80US. My guess is, if you can afford an iPhone, you can swing a shuffle -- or a case that blocks the dock port, which is a pretty accessible area for moisture.

I know it sucks to have your sweet iPhone ruined, but this was completely avoidable. Plus, aren't most phones with cameras banned from gyms?

All right, folks. Perhaps I was a bit too snarky. The lesson here is twofold. First, the iPhone is quite sensitive to moisture. The water sensors are placed towards the device's extremities, so even a sweaty palm can trigger them.

Secondly, with that in mind, be careful when using the iPhone in situations that may introduce liquids. We recommend a low-cost case. --Dave.

[Via CNET]

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There's a story at Click2Houston (I would have embedded the video if I had that option) about iPhone users who have had their devices...
 

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Jerry@live2sync.com

How do I know that the moisture sensor is the cause of my product failure? My mute switch stopped working and all the Apple rep (excuse me "genius") had to do was show me a red moisture sensor and say oops! no warranty. What does the moisture sensor have to do with the switch? If the phone is that sensitive, then they should stop selling them. The product is obviously not meant to be used by humans.

More importantly, the burden to prove the defect is related to moisture must fall on the manufacturer. The crap of pointing to a sensor and saying Apple is off the hook is just plain bull crap and I believe is a great case for a class action suite against Apple for warranty abuse. If any of you damp attorneys out there feel the same, I will gladly join in a suit related to this Apple defect. Once again, Apple proves that it is better at making products than warranting them.

As for your response in this original complaint, you have to be a complete idiot to agree with Apple on this. Even the Apple "Genius" who found the red sensor in my phone said that the device had to be immersed or very wet for the sensor to trigger. Which, by the way, is completely false. As we know, the sensor trips with only slight moisture.

June 15 2009 at 4:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jan

I bought my iPhone 8 DAYS ago.I stupidly didn't know its weaknesses to moisture (sweat, steam etc) This morning I went jogging with the phone in my arm-band. My phone stopped working. The Apple Store charged me $199.... Perhaps, I got the refurbished one, since it was not in the new package.Oh my gosh.... I just spent the money only 8 days ago for a real BRAND NEW phone.
I am upset....
Is there a way to protect the phone from getting moisture? Thanks!

Is there a way to protect it

June 09 2009 at 12:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Reid

All electronics are susceptible to water/liquid damage. Fresh water or salt water, pop or beer, or whatever. It can cause corrosion, cause circuits to bridge and short out (especially when the device is on). Kudos to Apple for providing a way to easily identify when this occurs and share it with their customers. Nobody wants their device to stop working, but it's nice to know that Apple isn't just denying warranty service for no reason. My iPhone has been out in the rain, that's a lot more moisture than sweaty palms, and the indicator is still white.

May 05 2009 at 11:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura Stebbins

I forgot to mention in my previous comment that we also have a sister station in Miami, (WSVN.)

Elitiewillie--Are you are still in Miami?
Your story is the exact kind of experience that I'm focusing on (you use your phone to workout, have never submerged it, but the water damage sensor is tripped, you contacted Apple & they said they can't help you). If you're still in Miami, shoot me an email. It would be a big help to my story. (lstebbins@whdh.com).

April 20 2009 at 11:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura Stebbins

I forgot to mention in my previous comment that we also have a sister station in Miami, (WSVN.)

Elitiewillie--Are you are still in Miami?
Your story is the exact kind of experience that I'm focusing on (you use your phone to workout, have never submerged it, but the water damage sensor is tripped, you contacted Apple & they said they can't help you). If you're still in Miami, shoot me an email. It would be a big help to my story. (lstebbins@whdh.com).

April 20 2009 at 11:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura Stebbins

I'm a producer at the NBC affiliate in Boston. I'm doing a story on people who have been told by Apple that the water sensor in the iPhone has been tripped, when they never submerged it in water.

Apple markets the phone to be taken everywhere so many users, like most of you, believe it shouldn't be designed to be so sensitive to moisture in places like the bathroom or the gym, and that Apple should do something about it.

If there is anyone from New England posting on this board who has had this issue, please be in touch. My contact info. is below.

Thank you!!

Laura Stebbins
Special Projects Producer
WHDH.TV - CW.56
7 Bulfinch Place
Boston, MA 02114
617-725-0769 (p)
802-238-0833 (c)
lstebbins@whdh.com

April 20 2009 at 11:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cameron

How many cases that are worth having come with port covers?

April 13 2009 at 5:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
milonreg

Ok So I have a question,
What if you are in say a humid greenhouse, or get a call in the rain or perhaps you are in a very heavy fog. Would that set of the sensor. What if you use your Iphone as your only phone and take a hot shower but need your phone nearby. In all of these cases I dont think most cell phones are going to have any sensors going off, cuz they dont have them, so why does Apple?

April 13 2009 at 3:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
justflybob

I have never worked for Apple.

I have, however, worked my whole life for Common Sense.

April 12 2009 at 8:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
justflybob

BTW, how ironic that one of the ads that fronts the video segment is from..

....wait for it....


Nelson Water Works!

April 11 2009 at 6:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to justflybob's comment
elitewillie

So how long u been working for Apple?


April 11 2009 at 9:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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