Great Moto G Stylus deal on Amazon!

Apple patents better water damage detection to fend off false warranty claims

By Daniel P.
12comments
Apple
Apple patents better water damage detection to fend off false warranty claims
Apple patents better water damage detection to fend off false warranty claims
Apple's way to detect water damage you've inflicted on the iPhone, hence deny warranty coverage, has been the indicator inside the headphone jack, which changes color once a close encounter with liquid has been carried out.

In very humid climates, however, these indicators in the audio jack are changing color at will, thus rendering it hard for owners to convince Apple's clerks they haven't accidentally dropped their iPhones in the toilet, but rather have had issues even without dunking them.

Now the engineers at Cupertino are looking at ways to improve the water damage indication process, by filing a patent for conductive soluble glue droplets set between two contacts, which get dissolved in liquid, thus changing the impedance, which can be detected and logged as error.

Apple patents better water damage detection to fend off false warranty claims
The process is apparently more fool-proof than the current audio jack indicator thingy, which not every customer service rep can reliably figure out by illuminating the insides of your jack, thus accepting false warranty claims and replacing the damaged device for free, eventually fleecing Apple of its hard-earned cash. 

There is no info about how many such claims have been made and granted, but apparently enough for Apple to decide it's time to do something about it. The handset maker has also been exploring technologies to completely waterproof its devices with technologies like the HzO nanocoating.

Recommended Stories

Loading Comments...

Popular stories

T-Mobile is now going to dictate where you can use its 5G internet
T-Mobile is now going to dictate where you can use its 5G internet
Apple signals the imminent release of the iPad Air (2024) and iPad Pro (2024)
Apple signals the imminent release of the iPad Air (2024) and iPad Pro (2024)
Samsung's killer Galaxy Watch 6 Classic trade-in deal comes just in time for Mother's Day
Samsung's killer Galaxy Watch 6 Classic trade-in deal comes just in time for Mother's Day
The speedy iPad Mini 2021 is even sweeter than usual after a lovely discount on Amazon
The speedy iPad Mini 2021 is even sweeter than usual after a lovely discount on Amazon
Apple Watch X render shows new magnetic band mechanism that could lead to longer battery life
Apple Watch X render shows new magnetic band mechanism that could lead to longer battery life
Text message from AT&T about a free device offer may look like a scam or spam but it is legitimate
Text message from AT&T about a free device offer may look like a scam or spam but it is legitimate

Latest News

T-Mobile confirms major 5G network upgrades in Louisiana
T-Mobile confirms major 5G network upgrades in Louisiana
Apple needs a $250 iPhone to boost sales but it doesn't want to make "stripped-down, lousy products"
Apple needs a $250 iPhone to boost sales but it doesn't want to make "stripped-down, lousy products"
Grab the smaller-sized Galaxy Watch 6 at bargain prices through Amazon's deal
Grab the smaller-sized Galaxy Watch 6 at bargain prices through Amazon's deal
Galaxy S21 and S22 owners facing green line issue will get free screen replacement in one country
Galaxy S21 and S22 owners facing green line issue will get free screen replacement in one country
AT&T's first kid-friendly tablet is here with a fun design and great price
AT&T's first kid-friendly tablet is here with a fun design and great price
LeBron James may have leaked Apple's next big Beats product
LeBron James may have leaked Apple's next big Beats product
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless