@kamikaze: @IphtashuFitz: @Ken_Darrow:

Thanks, didn't see that.

Elijah

@mrdeeno: Are "fanboys" who love a product, despite it's shortcomings, a sign of said product being bad? How about when there are literally millions of said "fanboys", while the number of detractors (many of whom are quite vocal about their dicontent) is relatively small?

Could it possibly be a sign that the underlying product is genuinely excellent, despite a few shortcomings? I haven't had any of the problems you described, admittedly, but all of the things you mentioned were actually very small compared with just about EVERY other cell phone i've owned (and I've owned quite a few, on several carriers). Not to mention the 2.1 update has pretty much squashed all the little bugs that bothered me?

It's odd actually owning a product and not having anything to complain about. Almost boring.

lpranal

What's a big problem? Some companies would just ignore you and say "Too Bad"

vgart

@BigPanda:
Clearly you're forgetting the the problems with the MagSafe connectors when Apple first put it out.

Apple tried to tackle too many things too fast. It isn't that it's too big, it's just that it stretched itself too thin this time around. Have faith in Jobs almighty. Apple will fix its errors, as it has been doing since the iPocalypse.

DisposableInterloper

Thanx for the link Giz

snitch29

@BoinK: One mistake in the manufacturing process can lead to nasty results. I once had to replace over 300 recalled motherboards from a major PC manufacturer because of defective dielectric used in power regulator capacitors. We actually had the video chips in three of these motherboards burst into flame before the recall.

IphtashuFitz

@Elijah: Fill out the web form and they mail one to you first. Then you mail the old one back to Apple using the supplied mailer.

Ken_Darrow

@Elijah: Use the link in the article to the Apple website and you can have them send one directly to you. I just did that and it said it'll take about 3 weeks to arrive, and they'll include a prepaid mailer to send yours back since you have to return it.

IphtashuFitz

@Elijah: fill out the form in the link, and apple will mail you a pre-paid envelope.

kamikaze

You'd think that after having used the same type of wall sockets for a few decades companies would know how to use them. How hard can it be, it's two bloody metall sticks that go in the wall.

BoinK

Filled out the request, 3 weeks for delivery.

sysprod

I can't get to the supportform site. Anyone else have this issue?

jlindenbaum

Shocking.

92BuickLeSabre

DAMN IT TO HELL.

First, my 2G iPhone never works with the original power brick. I take the brick back to Apple. The replacement brick STILL never works with my phone.

So I upgrade to the 3G finally! YAY! I can charge my phone in the wall by my bed again! Oh wait? You're telling me the charger you gave me will burn my house down? Great. Now what in the f*&# am I supposed to charge my phone with?

I love you Apple, but hell, I hate you.

x3r0

Retarded that you need to supply your serial number for a RECALL.

jekyoo_style

This is my 2nd contemporary Apple product after I swore them off like 10 years ago. My first was the 5.5g 30gb ipod.

No problems with the ipod. The iphone however has been one of the WORST customer experiences I have ever been through...software bugs, 3G problems, cracking case, mobile me, and now this.

Apple...it just works if you're willing to put up with or ignore the flaws like the fanboys do when they praise Apple.

mrdeeno

Why is everyone complaining? Go sign up, they ship you the new one with a prepaid return envelope to return the old one. It took me two minutes.

I guess there's the statement to only charge via USB until you get the new one. Me, I'm just ignoring that sillyness.

azzy

@rfuree11: I stand corrected.

Kaiser-Machead on the Edge

Damn.

pardyhardy

@rfuree11:

I think I might still have mine too from my 3G iPod. Will have to try it out tonight.

BigPanda

Ugh. First all the incompatibility with the new accessories, problems with MobileMe, a slew of new OS problems with the 10.5.5 update. I'm beginning if Apple's getting too big for their own good.

BigPanda

Do we have to replace them?

I mean... I don't have an Apple store anywhere near me (the closest one is 400 miles away) and I don't want to send it it.

And if I electrocute myself to death well.... could be worse.

Elijah

@Kaiser-Machead on the Edge: I have the old style one (REALLY old, it came with my iPod photo) and it works just fine with my 3G.

rfuree11

I read in another thread that the standard white brick doesn't work with the iPhone either, which makes this suck just a wee bit more.

Kaiser-Machead on the Edge

In the last five years I have had to have Apple replace three things - Expanding MacBooK Pro Battery, frayed Magsafe power adapter, and now this.

Neither of the other two exchanges were any hassle or problem, and Apple had a replacement part to me in less than two days time. I expect this issue will be resolved just as easily.

I would hate to think what the process would be for if this were a Sony or Dell product.

EBone

Yeah, that's my birthday!!!

So... I finally buy an Apple product (personaly) and now Apple is tryingt o KILL ME with it!?!?!?!?!

JEmlay

That's why British Power socket design is superior to the other 3 types. Solid, durable 'prongs'

Yeebles

hmm - i'll return it when it breaks. Is anyone that stupid that if the prong broke off in the power socket they would actually touch it? (Rather than turning the power off then grabbing it with a pliers...)

jamesdenver

@EBone: Well, unless Apple is lying to me, my confirmation page says the adapter will ship in three weeks. I should have just gone to an Apple store to complain.

velglarn

its funny, this is big enough for a recall but not big enough for an immediate recall... "You can die from electrical shock.." but it will take 3 weeks for replacements to start to be issued... Thats funny...

pottyvick

stuff goes wrong sometimes. They took responsibility. Good job!

jcrockerman

@jekyoo_style: standard procedure, nothing special.. move on.

sos10

Note to self: Shut off power next time......

willyboy

Dam, my adapter's prong broke off in the outlet. I think if I get a screwdriver, I can probably dig it out.......

willyboy

Seems to me the solution is to just never unplug the adpator from the wall. Problem solved!

If you need to you can always just unplug the USB cable from the adaptor.

Noobs-R-Us

@pottyvick:

Some 5ish million iPhones already out (sold)

They would have to make new USB Power Adapters for iPhones ready to be sold ++++ make enough to cover past ones

yeah that could take 3 weeks

Sam43054

And to compensate for potential injuries, I'll take that dock that should have come with it.

gamecrazychris

Site doesn't work for me..

NilzXX

OF NOTE: The ultracompact USB adapter DOES have a UL 'stamp of approval'

--> Do they not test for things like that ? or do they just test to see if it over heats ? Has faulty wiring ?

Sam43054

Why am I first hearing about this on Gizmodo? This is something that the consumer should be told by the manufacturer. The problem is with a cell phone. There is no reason that Apple couldn't send out a text message to all iPhone users. There is no reason AT&T could not do the same.

OMG! Ponies!

@OMG! Ponies!: the program doesn't actually "go live" until that ship date. the page came up today. an official announcement should come soon. this has been in the works for a bit.

leemajors

Frankly, the carrier (Rogers in my case) should have stock of replacements on hand, and just trade for defective units when people walk in off the street. Despite the fact that I live in my nation's capital (Ottawa), there are no Apple stores here.

Mandatory_Field

@lpranal: Personally I think haters are far worse than fanboys. They just hate. Hate < Love. Fanboys love. Sometimes the love goes a little overboard, but that's just a sign that humanity is so bored that it turns to worshiping a brand, so it's not actually the fault of the fanboys themselves. This also means that humanity is so bored that a breed of people was made to chastise the people who love the brand. This, again, is worse than fanboys.

There's nothing wrong with being loyal to a brand because you like the product, but there is something wrong when it becomes an obsession. After all, diversity is a liberal ideal, and liberalism is what has always moved us forward.

Anyhow, to actually be on topic, I'm kind of annoyed that I can't use the charger but am not surprised. Apple stuff looks nice and seems nice but the cheap labour and cheap assembly are something that all corporations employ. They must make the greatest possible profit, so cutting down on engineering in these stupid chargers is a good way to cut down on costs.

pardyhardy

ugggh...it really isnt a big deal...nobody died...still a perfectly fine adaptor...just apple being cautious and covering its butt by protecting idiots who don't know that they shouldn't touch broken prongs...gaaaawwd

tintinto

@Elijah: Assumption of the risk... :-)

Unless, of course, strict liability is at issue.

Where's Crim Law Geek (not that this is crim)?

Gilbert

Naah! Apple just wants to see what you - the users - have in your iPhones! That's why it wants them constantly plugged in your Mac/PC.

DaSmith

@IphtashuFitz: Comparing two metal sticks fused to plastic to the relative complexity of capacitors is a bit of a stretch don't you think? Don't get me wrong, I know what you're getting at. However, considering how stupidly simple the "interface" of a powerplug is it seems almost impossible to fuck it up.

BoinK

Thank god I spent my life's savings on those things...

Pwnage

What about the knockoffs? Funny thing is, I think Apple licensed this design. I have at least one power adapter that looks just like this- not as rounded, but still it's virtually identical.

As with all Apple recalls, the process was painless.

DeadWriter

@rfuree11: Sadly, though, it's not as old as the firewire bricks we have several of around the house from 1st and 3rd gen iPods, those won't charge my iPhone. My Griffin USB charging brick for iPod will sort of charge sometimes, but is unreliable.
Looks like I'll just risk it until a replacement can be procured. Jerks.

kerry

Don't bother going into the store. Just went today and they told me they didn't have the replacements yet.

sinergy

do i have to return the old one?

i think i'd rather just have 2

f0rge