Overheating iPhone 3GS: Apple blames the weather and crappy cases

Technology sites and Apple forums have been indundated with comments about the new model overheating and becoming discoloured since it was launched on June 19. Some iPhone users have complained that the device has become too hot to hold to the ear during long calls while others have noticed that the white 32GB model has turned pink after overheating. In a warning posted on one of the California computer maker’s support knowledge base sites, Apple says that users should not leave their phones in a car where temperatures can exceed the -20C to 45C range that the iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS models were designed to function in.

Apple says in the support article that “if the interior temperature of the device exceeds normal operating temperatures, you may experience the following as it attempts to regulate its temperature: the device stops charging, display dims, and/or weak cellular signal”.

In its message, Apple says that the iPhone has a safety feature which warns users that the device is becoming too hot. As well as leaving the handset in a car, it says that the phone may overheat when left in direct sunlight for prolonged periods, when GPS tracking is used in a car on a hot day or when its iPod function is used in direct sunlight. If the warning appears, Apple says that users of the iPhone should turn the device off and allow it to cool before using it.

iPhone 3GS users on Mac forums complain, however, that the handset becomes hot when it is not being used in a car. In a posting on the macrumors.com forum, one user complained that using the new device’s video recording feature had caused it to overheat while another complained that after carrying his phone in a backpack, it got so hot that the plastic case became distorted with tiny bumps.(Telegraph)

A small number of iPhone 3GS owners have also reported browning of their handsets presumably due to overheating. However, a report suggests the problem is tied to third-party cases.

iPhone blog FrenchiPhone cites an Apple technician who laid blame at the covers of some iPhone 3GS units.

“After numerous calls to Apple technical service and maintenance of contact with a level 3 (engineer) the problem seems to come not from a hot 3GS but contact with some covers!” FrenchiPhone reports. “This was evident by ourselves on a device with a small sticker (a warning not to listen to music too loud) remained stuck, part of the hull below remained white.”

According to FrenchiPhone, the discoloration can be resolved by wiping the back of the iPhone with alcohol.

Last week, Aaron Vronko of Rapid Repair, which performs teardowns of iPhones and iPods, told Wired.com that discoloration is likely due to overheating — an issue related to faulty battery cells. He noted that the browning reveals the outline of the battery. FrenchiPhone’s report suggests the discoloration is not due to high temperature of the iPhone. But there is still a possibility that some iPhones are overheating and the browning is a symptom only for hot iPhones with certain cases.

If FrenchiPhone’s source is accurate, it still remains unclear which iPhone cases are affected and how they can be identified. Apple has not issued an official statement regarding iPhone discoloration or overheating.

Several customers insist there’s an issue with the iPhone 3GS’s heat. Eleven readers e-mailed Wired.com reporting their iPhones are reaching oddly high temperatures.

“Whenever I browse internet using 3G the phone starts to get hotter and hotter to the point of being uncomfortable holding it,” said Jesus Arenas, who recently upgraded from an iPhone 3G to the new iPhone 3GS.

Arenas and several other readers noted, however, that the new iPhone 3.0 operating system seems to make even the previous iPhone 3G run hotter than it did on the earlier iPhone 2.0 OS. That would suggest the issue is with power management, which can be fixed with a software update. (Wired)

Really? Intel Moves to Free Gadgets of Their Recharging Cords

SAN FRANCISCO — Intel has made progress in a technology that could lead to the wireless recharging of gadgets and the end of the power-cord spaghetti behind electronic devices.

It says it has increased the efficiency of a technique for wirelessly powering consumer gadgets and computers, a development that could allow a person to simply place a device on a desktop or countertop to power it. It could bring the consumer electronics industry a step closer to a world without wires.

On Thursday, the chip maker plans to demonstrate the use of a magnetic field to broadcast up to 60 watts of power two to three feet. It says it can do that losing only 25 percent of the power in transmission.

“Something like this technology could be embedded in tables and work surfaces,” said Justin Rattner, Intel’s chief technology officer, “so as soon as you put down an appropriately equipped device it would immediately begin drawing power.”

The presentation is part of the company’s Intel Developer Forum, a series of events here that the company uses to showcase new technologies in personal computing and related consumer technologies.

The research project, which is being led by Joshua R. Smith, an Intel researcher at a company laboratory in Seattle, builds on the work of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology physicist Marin Soljacic, who pioneered the idea of wirelessly transmitting power using resonant magnetic fields. The MIT group refers to the idea as WiTricity, a play on wireless and electricity. Both the M.I.T. group and the Intel researchers are exploring a phenomenon known as “resonant induction,” making it possible to transmit power several feet without wires.

Induction is already used to recharge electric toothbrushes, but that approach is limited by the need for the toothbrush to be placed in the base station.

The M.I.T. group has demonstrated efficiencies of 50 percent at ranges of several meters.

Intel is in the midst of an internal debate over whether the technology may also permit the shift to supercapacitors, which can be recharged far more quickly than today’s batteries. “In the future, your kitchen counters might do it,” Mr. Rattner said. “You’d just drop your espresso maker down on them and you would never have to plug it in.”

The Intel team describes its system as a “wireless resonant energy link,” and is experimenting with antennas less than two feet in diameter to remotely light a 60-watt light bulb.

In 2006, the M.I.T. researchers demonstrated that by sending electromagnetic waves around a waveguide it was possible to produce “evanescent” waves that could permit electricity to wirelessly tunnel to another waveguide “tuned” to the transmitting loop.

Several start-up firms , including WildCharge, based in Boulder, Colo., and WiPower, based in Altamonte Springs, Fla., have already announced related wireless charging technologies. But these demonstrations have required that the consumer gadgets touch the charging station.

The Intel researchers said they were thinking about designing a system that would make it possible to recharge a laptop computer without wires.

“From Intel’s position that seems like the thing to shoot for right now,” Mr. Smith said. The receiving antenna is about the size of something that could easily fit against the bottom of a conventional laptop computer. “It could be that cellphones and P.D.A.’s are even more compelling, but I think we are going to start with the laptop. It’s easy to dial down from laptops,” he said.

The researchers said that Intel could produce a prototype design and that it might contribute to products by developing chip sets for manufacturers. At Thursday’s research presentation, Mr. Smith plans to demonstrate an application using an electric field sensor — a natural capability of some fish — to give added dexterity to robotic arms and hands. He has designed a sensor system that makes it possible for a robot hand to gauge the size of an apple and then grasp it. The hand then carries the apple to an outstretched human hand. When it senses the hand, it drops the apple.

Roca intros Neos IV free-standing hydromassage shower column

The newest addition to the Roca’s famous Neos series, the Neos IV offers an understated style that blends with your bathroom to create a modern home spa offering total comfort. The Roca’s Neos IV is a free-standing hydromassage shower column that comes equipped with hydromassage jets and a rain effect overhead shower to relax and rejuvenate you. The brushed stainless steel finish and freestanding nature of the single vertical column makes the caring and cleaning process easy. Particularly ideal for wellness centers and health resorts, the Neos IV could be a great option for both the domestic wet rooms and open bath spaces. Featuring clean lines and contemporary looks, the free-standing Neos IV shower column transports you to a world of well-being. No word on pricing for now.

(Via BornRich)

Apple may add micro projectors to iPhones, iPod touches

With every release the iPhone and iPod gets more powerful and Apple just might be looking into integrated micro projector technology for future iPhones and iPods. It would allow your media to be shared with your family and friends whenever you wanted. It may just happen if you believe the Taiwanese rumor site DigiTimes.

According to them Foxlink, a subsidiary of Apple’s iPhone manufacturing partner Foxconn, is currently developing its own micro projector technology that should begin making its way into integrated devices as early as this year. Apple is on the list.

But we tend to think it will be awhile before your iPod and iPhone comes with a built-in projector. They need to get smaller. We think it’s just wishful thinking.

(Via SlipperyBrick)

3GS Battery Issues Due to iPhone 3.0?

Recently, there have been numerous battery complaints plaguing the iPhone 3GS. Customers have noted that the 3GS often fails to get through a workday without a charge, and even die-hard Apple fans have had to admit that something is up. Initially we thought that the battery issues were due to the increased functionality of the 3GS, but now the problem appears to be software related.

A new report from Computerworld casts the blame squarely on the iPhone 3.0 update. The report notes that users of other iPhone types began to complain of battery issues shortly after the launch of 3.0. One user noted that, after applying the update, his 3G iPhone started to lose power at a rate of 5-10% an hour. This points to a software glitch or conflict of some sort that is consuming power at a high rate.

One original iPhone owner posted on the official Apple forums that, while his iPhone had once been able to get 5 days on standby off of a full charge, his same phone was now unlikely to last the day. Some 3G owners are reporting incredibly fast drain rates, losing all power within a few hours of standby.

A few users claim to have found some relief by reseting their phones or turning off all extraneous features. Apple recommends turning off all features that are not in use. This is clearly an unacceptable answer to the problem. Those features are what Apple’s customers paid for when they bought an iPhone. Apple needs to deal with this problem directly and fix their battery issues before this whole thing gets out of hand.

The 3.1 update is expected to hit soon, and it’s possible that this new patch will contain a fix for the battery issue. If so, Apple needs to let their customers know now so they can stop wondering what is wrong with their phones.

(Via I4U)

Sega Toys Unveils Dream Cat Venus

While real cats and dogs seem far too keen on reproduction to ever be as scarce or expensive as they were in Blade Runner, Sega is pushing full steam ahead with an update to their freaky robotic felines.

The Dream Cat Venus is coming to Japan this month for $110. Both touch and sound sensitive, the Venus (no relation to the planet or the feminine razor) reacts to your petting and talking with a proper amount of nudging and purring. And like the Sony Aibo, the Dream Cat can actually “see” through its camera-enabled eyes.

But does this poor robot need to look like the product from a My First Taxidermy kit? Drop the realism for a moment, Sega, and let these helpless kittenbots out of your dungeon in the uncanny valley. Such amoral plush tactics may work fine to tease the buffets of Melmac, but no one wants to see Japan become Melmac…any more than it already has.

(Via Gizmodo)

First Sony Ericsson Xperia (X5?) Android phone “Rachael”, and strange “Kiki” with transparent display

It is no secret that Sony Ericsson is working on at least one Android phone to be released later this year.

They told us about it themselves. And now the details start trickling out.

The first Sony Ericsson Android smartphone is codenamed “Rachael“, has got a big touchscreen display, and is built on Qualcomm QSD8250 Snapdragon. Snapdragon has some pretty amazing amazing specs – up to 1 GHz CPU, HD video decoding ,12mpx camera, GPS, broadcast TV and Wi-Fi support. Though it remains to be seen which of them make it into a new SE Android handset. Probably not all of them, since we already know that SE opted for a lower resolution – 8.1 megapixel camera on this phone.

They have decided to market their new smartphone under the Xperia brand. And since Xperia X2 is already reserved for their next WinMo smartphone, could this be Sony Ericsson Xperia X5 we’ve been hearing about?

And we’ve also got some info on another Sony Ericsson phone codenamed “Kiki”, which I’ll put into an “interesting/strange” category.

Sony Ericsson “Kiki” comes with a transparent glasslike display. The images are projected on this display and, it seems, can be viewed from both sides of the handset. It also has a smooth surface keypad on the front, where the numbers should appear when the phone is on. Though I have no idea how tactile it would be and whether the symbols on it are fixed or adaptable. Could go both ways.

Anyway, we’ll be watching developments on both of these handsets and will bring you the news as they come along. Stay tuned.

(Via Unwired View)

AT&T Voice Activated GPS App for iPhone: $10 per Month

A new application from AT&T brings voice activated, turn-by-turn navigation to the iPhone. That’s right, AT&T. Now you know that, take a guess as to how you might be paying for this application. A free “thank you” download to iPhone owners? No. An expensive but one-time payment of around $50? Nope.

AT&T, greedy-guts that it is, will charge you $10 per month for a rather pedestrian (ahem) GPS application, which makes it, along with Sirius Radio, one of the first apps to make use of the new in-application payments allowed in iPhone OS 3.

So what, exactly, do you get if you pay AT&T yet another $10 a month for your iPhone? First, the app is kind of voice activated: You can set a destination by talking to the unit, which is arguably the time you need voice control the least — at the beginning of a journey. The maps scroll by in 3D, as you’d expect, and there are voice instructions which issue from the iPhone. You also get routing around traffic problems and can search for nearby ATMs and the like.

Is it worth it? Well, you can buy a $40 (2 x $20) pair of apps that cover the whole of North America and do essentially the same thing without the monthly fee. But the up-to date maps and info it might make it worth $10 per month for many people. The problem, though, is that it’s AT&T, so this just looks like more money grabbing from the telco overlord.

(Via Wired)

First glimpse of solar-powered plane draws big crowd

After six long years of planning, talking and hard work, the world finally got its first look at the 100% solar-powered Solar Impulse HB-SIA on June 26th. This remarkable feat of engineering, with the wingspan of a Boeing 747 but only the weight of an average family car, has over 12,000 solar cells powering four electric motors with a maximum power of 10HP. The aircraft prototype is expected to take its first flights before the end of the year.

The unveiling attracted over 800 people to the Dübendorf airfield near Zurich, and was watched live online around the world. The project’s founders, Betrand Piccard and André Borschberg, were obviously delighted to finally have a working model, but they were also emphatic that it was just as important as a symbol for promoting renewable energy. They believe that the pioneering spirit that saw man conquer the skies and then space should, in a world dominated by fossil fuels, be now attempting to find ways to end our dependence on oil.

The HB-SIA is the first aircraft completed by the Solar Impulse project and, after some further fine-tuning, will make its maiden test flights before the end of 2009. A complete night flight is planned for 2010. Data from the tests will be used to build a second aircraft, the HB-SIB, which will attempt to circumnavigate the word in 2012.

(via Gizmag)

Sony Patents A Motion Control System That Uses Ordinary Objects As Controllers

We saw Sony unveil a LED wand during their E3 press conference. The device in conjunction with an EyeToy camera brought motion control to the PlayStation 3. In addition to that Sony developed another motion control system that uses everyday objects.

A recently published patent from Sony details a system where a camera can dynamically map an object — any real world object — for use in a video game. The illustration has a U shape block, but the patent outlines other example objects “include items such as coffee mugs, drinking glasses, books, bottles, etc.” While these are given as examples the object mapping system is not limited to those objects, it can identify any three dimensional object.

Before using an object like the U shaped block the camera captures has to capture it. Figure 2 explains the system where players show the object, rotate it, and save a profile for it in a file. The system then analyzes movements and translates them into in game actions.

Here are some examples of how Sony could use this technology. The “virtual world light sword” in figure 3B is particularly interesting. When a player holds the U-shaped block up the sword is “on” and the blade will be extended in the game. When the U-shaped block is upside down the sword is “off”.

The system looks like Microsoft’s Project Natal, but instead of driving with an imaginary steering wheel players can use an everyday item like a plate.

(Via Siliconera)