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iPhone Touch Screen Could Wear Out in 3 to 6 Months
intomobile.com — Apparently, the technology uses chemical deposition to register touch-inputs based on heat, but 3 to 6 months of “extensive use” would start to degrade the technology and cause a lose of sensitivity to touch-inputs. This suggests that the relatively new iPhone fleet in the US could start to exhibit similar problems with time.
suxmonkey- 858 diggs
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- 1KrazyKorean, on 10/10/2007, -39/+2Well if you just buy the iphone case and cover you wont have to worry about it =/, but seriously, I hope the 2nd version iphone that comes out will like have no problems at all...
- snypa, on 10/10/2007, -9/+15RTFA: "the technology uses chemical deposition to register touch-inputs based on heat".
You can use all the cases you want, it's the actual input method used which appears to be the problem. - Wilddigi, on 10/10/2007, -9/+5When does apple's 2nd gen play any better than the 1st gen? Go to Apple's dicussion board and see complaints on the 4th gen
- snypa, on 10/10/2007, -9/+15RTFA: "the technology uses chemical deposition to register touch-inputs based on heat".
- openthink, on 10/10/2007, -25/+5for those who haven't gotten an iphone yet, another "excuse." ....we're waiting for the next generation that doesn't self-destruct. interesting to see how it goes.
- DCMacHead, on 10/10/2007, -26/+6Using since day 1 with no problems. The countdown begins to doomsday.
- DaffyDuck, on 10/10/2007, -10/+176"Apparently, the technology uses chemical deposition to register touch-inputs based on heat"
A few weeks ago some guys used an iPhone to take aerial photos by taping it to a remote control plane and using a servo with a wet sponge with a charged lead attached. It was even on the front page of digg. It worked. Moral of the story? A wet, room temperature sponge with a tiny amount of electricity was able to operate the touch screen. This article says heat is the mechanism used to operate the screen. The experiment with the sponge suggest very strongly otherwise. It's not based on heat, but on capacitance. Surely the creators of the technology used for the screen know how it works therefore I'm calling this story bogus.
Now, to go even further, read this excellent writeup that goes into more specifics about how the iPhone touchscreen works:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/iphone1.htm
Note that there is no mention of heat being important to the workings of the screen. This article is FUD, plain and simple.- streak, on 10/10/2007, -5/+33Absolutely right.
Bury Inaccurate, everyone, to get this posting off the site. "Inaccurate" is the only bury function that will do that. - KennMac, on 10/10/2007, -3/+21From the article:
Update
The iPhone does not use heat chemical deposition technology, nor does it detect inputs based on heat. We got that little tidbit from iPhone World. Color us embarrassed.
Buried. - directive0, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Anyone else notice that diagram of the iPhones screen is remarkable similar to the cutaway diagram of an LCARS display from the Star Trek Technical manual?
- dafragsta, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I was thinking the exact same thing.
- geminitojanus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Thank you for saying it before I could Daffy, you're 100% spot on.
- sancho320, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3 This looks like some of the iPhone's competitors are starting to play dirty. To me this looks suspiciously like a malicious campaign, that intomobile.com was paid to post. Could be mistaken, but just keep it in mind for the future.
- streak, on 10/10/2007, -5/+33Absolutely right.
- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -8/+118The iPhone touch screen is capacitive. There are no chemical deposits on it's screen aside from the lotion and cheeto dust from your dirty fingers.
Now: stop spreading FUD, and go wash your hands.- e92fanatic, on 10/10/2007, -21/+4Even if the screen doesnt wear away the chemical deposits, there are still reports of people experiencing the problem.
- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -1/+15Oh, there are problems with a few screens, no one is debating that; it shouldn't happen, but Apple is doing the responsible thing and replacing those faulty units under their warranty.
However, These issues are more likely the result of a manufacturing defect in a small number of units; and not a widespread design flaw as this article implies. That's where the FUD is.- DaffyDuck, on 10/10/2007, -3/+10"That's where the FUD is." Exactly. I won't argue that people are having problems with the touch screen but this article has the reasons why all wrong. It's just not credible.
- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -1/+15Oh, there are problems with a few screens, no one is debating that; it shouldn't happen, but Apple is doing the responsible thing and replacing those faulty units under their warranty.
- e92fanatic, on 10/10/2007, -21/+4Even if the screen doesnt wear away the chemical deposits, there are still reports of people experiencing the problem.
- fanboydcs, on 10/10/2007, -8/+46And if the screen goes bad, Apple will fix it for you, OH NO THE HORROR!
- woojoo, on 10/10/2007, -12/+2I sometimes think that Apple keep your products in repair for so long to try and make you forget about it... refurbished models!
- turpenine, on 10/10/2007, -4/+8i have never had a product in for repair for more than 72 hours
- woojoo, on 10/10/2007, -12/+2I sometimes think that Apple keep your products in repair for so long to try and make you forget about it... refurbished models!
- Qtip42, on 10/10/2007, -20/+5Whether it is or isn't true, it does bring up a good point. Products just don't last like they used to a few decades ago.
- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -2/+15back then, we had to walk uphill to school, both ways! And a dime only cost a nickel!
- meatmcguffin, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELmtC8TEiTU
- cjwl, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9So are you still using all the computers and electronics you bought a few decades ago?
- MateyO, on 10/10/2007, -2/+3Nooooo, lots of stuff broke just as quickly in the 70's...you're just self-selecting the things that DIDN'T.
Remember, in the 70's a car with 70,000 miles was 'worn out'.
- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -2/+15back then, we had to walk uphill to school, both ways! And a dime only cost a nickel!
- JlmAWP, on 10/10/2007, -3/+30Yeah, back when we had touch screens in the 70s. Remember that?
Because I sure as hell don't. This is based on nothing.- okto, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1lulz.
- shad0w, on 10/10/2007, -4/+20You really think that Apple would release a product who's most distinguishing feature will go kaput in 3 to 6 months? That would be a PR nightmare. I call BS.
- carnecerro, on 10/10/2007, -3/+6Would Microsoft release a video game console that freezes up and dies constantly? Not intentionally, but regardless of Apple's intention they may have some issues with the screens losing functionality.
- magixx2, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2No, they would only make it die after the warranty expires.
- grbruner, on 10/10/2007, -2/+50From article:
"Update
The iPhone does not use heat chemical deposition technology, nor does it detect inputs based on heat. We got that little tidbit from iPhone World. Color us embarrassed."
Buried as inaccurate - read whole article and don't post with a misleading title.- Typhoon2009, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3At least they owned up to it.
- ZenKai, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4"Color us embarrassed.
Regardless, the “dead strip” problem could prove to become more widespread with time."
So... you're now claiming that all of the information you used to write this article was proved wrong... but your conclusion remains the same... because it... looked... like it WAS going to be a problem?
- Bando, on 10/10/2007, -6/+0Buried for misuse of word lose.
- e92fanatic, on 10/10/2007, -3/+0???
what misuse of "word lose"- Bando, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Makes sense to me. But here, let me rephrase, so you can comprehend.
I buried the article because of the incorrect usage of the word "lose".
- Bando, on 10/10/2007, -0/+0Makes sense to me. But here, let me rephrase, so you can comprehend.
- e92fanatic, on 10/10/2007, -3/+0???
- Wilddigi, on 10/10/2007, -8/+0No difference than a mouse pad. Wear and tear
- Bulldogge16, on 10/10/2007, -2/+12Buried as Inaccurate...
- Andy.D, on 10/10/2007, -3/+15This is FUD, pure and simple. Inaccurate.
- timusca, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8Buried.
- comradeTJH, on 10/10/2007, -2/+20I just read somewhere - iPhone display could break if you penetrate it with a sledgehammer!
- Piedramente, on 10/10/2007, -11/+1rofl, that's Apple for you. Long enough for your warranty to expire, then BAM
- d.rosing, on 10/10/2007, -1/+14Yeah- I'm 100% sure this uses a clear capacitive touch screen, where there is an ITO layer below the surface of the top layer of protective glass/plastic. It is sensing the electrical capacitance of your finger, or a charged sponge as mentioned above. Most likely the issues Apple is having with touch screen failures have to do with the laminating of the touch layer to the clear surface above it being defective.
The beauty of this kind of touch screen is that gunk on the top surface doesn't even touch the actual layer that senses touch, unlike pressure sensitive touch screen (most other touch smart phones use this)
Definitely bury as inaccurate!!! - bem1, on 10/10/2007, -12/+2HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
- HappyScrappy, on 10/10/2007, -1/+17The iPhone sensor is capacitive, not heat-based. Look up the Fingerworks patents (whom Apple bought years ago). This article doesn't even know how the display works, they sure can't predict its lifespan.
Inaccurate. - serpicolugnut, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8...And aliens could invade tomorrow. Notice I said "could". It doesn't mean it is going to happen. Marked as inaccurate.
- ryptide, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6Buried as inaccurate.
BTW, the crystal films you can get prevent the smudges and whatnot directly on the screen, and are most certainly cheaper than having the iPhone replaced (if that is even a problem). - LunaticFringe, on 10/10/2007, -11/+2Once again, Apple surpasses Microsoft... in failing.
- stealthrocket, on 10/10/2007, -2/+10Funny how everyone here can tell this is ***** but the author of the story couldn't. Do you think they were more focused on...
A. finding a hot story and increasing traffic to their site?
or
B. Actually thinking about what they were writing and doing some research?- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6There are more comments (proportionally) from people saying the story is crap and to bury it than I've seen in a long time... and yet, this story is still on the front page. How?
- suxmonkey, on 10/10/2007, -8/+0Has no one noticed the "Could" in the headline? Hi, that means "check it out and decide whether you agree or disagree, then vote accordingly" sheesh.
- waxdart, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2...rriiiight. So, by your logic, if some analyst says "ZOMG! 1 plus 2 _could_ equal 37!!!" then we should check it out and decide whether we agree or not?
- NielsVynckier, on 10/10/2007, -3/+0Mirror?
- RevToTheRedline, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Buried as inaccurate
- flamebot, on 10/10/2007, -7/+2eheh watch all those early adopters cry ahah
- streak, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2jealous much? ;-) we're very much enjoying our iPhones.
- KillerX, on 10/10/2007, -4/+10Pure FUD spread by a Microsoft paid Microtard.
Nothing to see here, move on. - paris75, on 10/10/2007, -6/+1never buy v1 apple products period
- ruce, on 10/10/2007, -7/+4BURIED AS INACCURATE.. NOTHING BUT BLOG SPAM LIBEL TRASH... AND THIS IS COMING FROM AN LG OWNER....
- AfterTen, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7The best part is the update where they say (paraphrasing), "The facts we used to base our story on were false. BUT, the story could still be true."
Ridiculous. - jdemarti, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Buried as FUD
- jabberwolf, on 10/10/2007, -8/+1Fact and fiction
FACT: DEAD SPOTS DEVELOPING!
FICTION: that it runs off heat.
Now if the Mactards cant handle the truth, they should just walk away.
But go on, try and bury the truth ;-)- e92fanatic, on 10/10/2007, -4/+0^^^EXACTLY!!!
- AfterTen, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Fact: Some iPhones have dead spots and get replaced under warranty.
Fiction: Dead spots may be developing due to heat sensing based technology in the iPhone touch screen
Fiction: Many many more iPhone will get these dead spots because the heat sensing based technology wears out after 3-6 months.
The crap part of the article was its implications.
1. "Some users report dead spots and no one knows why"
2. "Ah ha!. The touch screen uses technology that wears out after 3-6 months. This may explain it!"
Therefore these early failures are simply on the low end of the failure bell curve
Therefore as we start getting into the meat of the failure bell curve in 3-6 months from launch the rate of failure is going to rapidly increase
Since #2 is crap the whole theory falls apart and you're back to square one that a small number of users are reporting failures and no one knows why yet.
So, what is the truth that the Mactards can't handle? That there are some iPhone hardware failures? Whoop de doo. That's not really too hard to handle.
- e92fanatic, on 10/10/2007, -6/+1The fact remains that people are reporting this problem all over the place
- johnpaul191, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1that's not true.... the whole article is wrong, and if you read it, they admit it at the end. if there are dead spots, that's something else entirely and Apple is replacing the phones. my friend has already (somehow?) blown out the speakers on his twice. maybe they just fail, i don't know. whatever the cause, Apple has exchanged his phone each time.
- stephaneg111, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Look at how much normal use is... in 25 minutes of the apple demo video the guy taps like crazy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGpSShs3o48 - toetagger, on 10/10/2007, -2/+0I'm fearful!!!!! I'm uncertain!!!! Chicken little come save me!!!
- rowlodge, on 10/10/2007, -5/+2what you call first generation, and bound to have surprises in store.
- icpeanuts, on 10/10/2007, -2/+1It would then make sense to get the Apple care warranty.
- Kitsune818, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2buried for "cause a lose"
- PerfectTommy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4BREAKING NEWS: The iPhone will not bring world peace, Apple stock to plummet on news. Just more iPhone bashing.
- johnpaul191, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3these anti-iphone articles based on complete out-the-ass ***** speculation are amazing. no wonder people hate bloggers. a few spread ***** like this with nothing more than some half-baked idea they got. it makes you wonder if they could someday be responsible for causing some sort of stock price manipulation, like what happened a few months ago.
they should pull the whole article. they leave the headline (for RSS readers) and put the little "update: we made this ***** up" at the end. way to get traffic you *****. - EtherGnat, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3This article is bogus, but it brings up a good point. If you have problems with the touch screen on your iPhone you're screwed until it is fixed. I had an issue with the touch screen on my WM5 phone, but was able to use it for months because it could be operated by the keyboard/hotkeys/D-pad.
- johnpaul191, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3it may be a good point, but it's obvious. if an important component breaks on a device, the device may become useless!
my current cell phone has an off and on issue with the battery charging port and there is no backup way to charge my battery. does that mean Motorola designed a stupid phone?
- johnpaul191, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3it may be a good point, but it's obvious. if an important component breaks on a device, the device may become useless!
- iamsamsamiam, on 10/10/2007, -3/+1Where's your Jesus-Phone now!?!?
- dienaked, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5From the article:
Update
The iPhone does not use heat chemical deposition technology, nor does it detect inputs based on heat.
Buried as innacurate - websyndicate, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Please Windows Fan Boys make fun of us Apple Fans We still have a cooler phone and we've been on the market maybe a month
- napk, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Buried for being lame and inaccurate.
- piwy, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2A: This is stupidly inaccurate. Apple actually had a whole write-up + images /animations showing how the thing worked.
B: If it were true it would also be the case with, say, the LG Prada phone. (which btw suck mad balls when it comes to typing) - TheNewFlesh, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2I suppose we'll find out if 1st Gen iPhones last longer than the original iPods soon enough.
It would be most unfortunate to those early supporters. - damnyooneek, on 10/10/2007, -2/+2i have an iphone and tried playing with the one at the store to see the lcd model. i noticed the sensitivity was REALLY dull i had to tap hard and a couple of times before it registered my selection. so the screen issue might be true. i'm sure what its made out of but there might be a problem over time
- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Maybe you don't have enough electricity in you. You should try drinking more electrolytes.
- DaffyDuck, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1Brawndo! It's got electrolytes!
- damnyooneek, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1idiot.
- sholt, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Maybe you don't have enough electricity in you. You should try drinking more electrolytes.
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