Apple Reportedly Heading Off iPhone 'Glassgate' 255
alphadogg writes "Apple is reportedly working behind the scenes to address scratching and cracking of the iPhone's glass back panel by certain third-party cases. This 'Glassgate' story got rolling with a report in the gdgt newsletter by Ryan Block, who says he spoke with sources inside and outside of Apple about this issue, but was unable to get an official Apple comment. Block writes: 'Apple has apparently found that non-bumper style cases — specifically those that slide onto the iPhone 4, which are occasionally prone to particulate matter getting caught between the rear of the phone and the case — can cause unexpected scratching that could quickly develop into full-on cracking or even much larger fracturing of the entire rear pane of glass. To put it another way: Apple is afraid you might buy a standard slide-on iPhone case, put it on your phone, and then discover the next time you take it off that the entire back of your device has been shattered by no fault of your own.' Apple is said to be taking it seriously, looking to avoid the sort of backlash it got when reports surfaced over the summer that the iPhone 4's antennas didn't work correctly when users gripped the phones in a certain (and quite natural) way."
ok seriously (Score:5, Insightful)
Not every problem is the result of a conspiracy to cover up illegal activity, so the analogy doesn't really fit imo.
Looks like this was just a case (no pun intended) of design oversight.
Re:i guess (Score:4, Insightful)
They can always revoke their Made For iPhone license.
http://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/ [apple.com]
http://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi/cases.html [apple.com]
It seems like the vetting process for third party accessories is about as porous and subject to reviewer whimsy as their iTunes app process.
ugh...more of this? (Score:2, Insightful)
Stuff gets scratched when you use it, DEAL WITH IT.
Grit can get trapped inside a case and scratch the device? NO SHIT? have these people never used a case before? Take it out and CLEAN IT every now and again.
Are apple customers the most helpless people on the planet, or does the media just make them look that way?
Re:ugh...more of this? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:This sorts itself out (Score:0, Insightful)
Too bad the back of your phone has cosmetic damage. Maybe if you had some type of case on hand, you could cover it up and never worry about it again.
But then you'd be hiding the magic of the iPhone by covering it up with non-Apple versions of their magical magic! You can't do THAT!
Style over substance (Score:3, Insightful)
The title says it all.
Function doesn't always follow form (Score:5, Insightful)
I've got an iPhone 4, with it's associated death grip(e) and continuing proximity sensor issue. It's worked OK to date, a bit slippery, and I love it's electro ice-cream sandwich design (even if it was made to be broken).
That said, this thing seems so problematic that I can't help but think it's Apple's S-Type or X-Type Jaguar. The smart phone everyone will forever associate with problems. It's beautiful form that doesn't allow for any real-life durability.
Kind of like a celebutante.
Re:Where is the broken glass? (Score:2, Insightful)
This is speculation right now, where are the pictures of phones with scratched or broken glass?
The damn phone has been out for months and Gawker, Powerpage or any of the Apple fanboy sites have no photos of this "issue".
Cognitive dissonance? They're just assuming they broke their own phones?
That's what I would think - those things aren't exactly built for rough use.
Warranty? (Score:2, Insightful)
Pure BS (Score:0, Insightful)
Where do all these rabid anti-apple drones come from? Another blog post from some anti-apple idiot about some total non-issue, backed up with no proof, and some made up anonymous sources inside and outside apple. LOL. I guess it is just a coincidence this fantasy story is coming out before the crap Microsoft Phone is coming out?
Re:Crazy Idea! (Score:4, Insightful)
Actually, you don't want a harder material -- the harder the material it is, the more brittle it is. It will resist scrapes and scratches, but at some point, dropping or bending the phone will cause it to shatter (quite spectacularly, I wouldn't want your diamondoid phone in my back pocket when it shatters).
I think a more ductile material would be a better case material -- i've seen some work on self healing plastics where minor scratches eventually disappear. I suppose this may be where Apple's liquid metal purchase will come into the picture.
Re:Oh no! The shiny glass back I cover up broke! O (Score:1, Insightful)
If it cracks the back that could be an issue but how is Apple to blame for this?
Apple designs a product - a fourth generation of a product - knowing full well how their users user it and you're saying it not their fault? They even supplied some of the cases that caused the damage.
This is a shitty design and it is Apple's fault.
Good god! Putting so much glass on a cell phone?!? A device that's going to be used, moved around, dropped (it should stand up to dropping a small height like a foot or so like falling out of a purse), stuck in purses and knocked around, etc...
If you have to baby a device like a phone, then it's too delicate of a design. The designer should be whipped for this.
Re:ugh...more of this? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:next up (Score:3, Insightful)
You wouldn't have as many problems if you didn't have an iphone in there.
Re:Oh no! The shiny glass back I cover up broke! O (Score:5, Insightful)
This is a shitty design and it is Apple's fault.
Good god! Putting so much glass on a cell phone?!? A device that's going to be used, moved around, dropped (it should stand up to dropping a small height like a foot or so like falling out of a purse), stuck in purses and knocked around, etc...
If you have to baby a device like a phone, then it's too delicate of a design.
jesus tapdancing christ.
It seems like half the time I'm defending apple and half the time I'm bashing them.
Im not schizophrenic, I'm anti IDIOCY.
You want a ruggedized cell phone, GO BUY ONE. If you buy a phone made of GLASS, don't expect to be able to toss it around like a nerf football. It's not rocket freaking science.
Re:Why not sapphire? (Score:1, Insightful)
There are very few times when I wouldn't question the wisdom of owning, never mind wearing a $2500 watch.
Re:How About the Front Glass? (Score:4, Insightful)
I've dropped my iPhone 4 a couple of times without problems, it's not anywhere near as fragile as people make it out to be. They hear glass and think it's the normal sodium glass they use for plate glass windows or cups. This is gorilla glass, much more scratch- and impact-resistant than sodium glass and it's even stronger than most polycarbonate plastics from which other phones are constructed.
That being said, things break. I've seen tons of people with slider phones that don't slide right anymore, or have a keyboard with a stuck or missing key, or have a plastic face all scratched to hell and back. These are devices that get used in harsh environments and which are dropped, banged-up, slid across tables, soaked, spit on while talking, grimed over with dirty hands. At least the iPhone has very few moving parts to get gummed up, extra resistant to scratches, and they are easy to clean. Are they still going to break? Of course!
If you want to be extra careful then throw on a bumper case and you take care of most of the issues since it makes it that much harder for the glass to touch anything and it makes for a softer landing if it does get dropped.
Re:Not Apple's fault (Score:1, Insightful)
Here come Apple bitches.
Go read the fucking article. find out where it says "Made for Iphone" and try to understand two sentences related to that if you can.
Then take Steve's dick out of mouth, wash your mouth few times. While you are at that, also take that iphone out of your ass. Once you release all the smug-gas which has accumulated in your stomach, and with your orifices clean of all the blockage, you will start feeling better and develop ability to read and comprehend.
Then come back to this board.
...pants on fire... (Score:5, Insightful)
> apps get pulled [...] from their phones
This is a lie, so the rest of our posting is most likey lies, too.