Archive for February, 2009

No photo this time. But a real-life satire, which is a true fail. So what I didn’t blog about is that my iPhone 3G did, in fact, break. Long story short: I was at my sister’s door, tried to call her to open it (it’s an apartment complex, the buzzer doesn’t work). And it was raining. So I used the phone, she opened. Now like 2 days later, a friend called me, and I couldn’t hear him. He could hear me, but I couldn’t hear him. So I went through everything – restore, even the 2-hour-killswitch-wipe to ensure it’s not a software thing.

Conclusion: the earpiece was in fact dead, however everything else worked – like the OS, multitouch, music, everything.

That means that there is a hardware fault. I was not sure what caused it – but now I know, it was in fact, the rain that day. Why do I know this? I’m getting to that.

So I went to the O2 store here where I originally purchased the device on release day, July 11, 2008. They said they’d have to send it away. Fair enough. They’d come back to me as soon as they have something. Also fair enough.

Now this morning, the guy calls me and informs me that there is in fact water damage in the device – this would not be covered by warranty, I would NOT get a new device or replacement, or reimbursement. I explained my case and told him that I would unable to control the weather around me, it was raining. He said that I would also not use my laptop in the rain. There is a slight problem with the statement… although both are mobile devices, their intended use is not entirely the same as such. Anyways, he said I’d be free to come to the store to discuss this further. Which, of course, I will do.

Here’s the thing: iPhone 3G is the only device in the entire mobile phone market that does not withstand rain. And I specifically refer to the 3G only, because the original iPhone passed the test. Which test? The FRC test in Switzerland. Don’t believe me?

Huma Khamis, chief tester at FRC, told Swisster that for each model of phone, several items were bought in different countries and tested to ensure that their performance was not down to a particular batch or a one-off dud. The iPhone 3G systematically failed the rain test, even though the previous version had passed it.

Source: Article in Swisster

Interesting. Now, also there is this thing called “Implied warranty of Merchantability”, which is internationally valid and outlines that a device sold by any manufacturer is fit for it’s intended use. If this is not the case, then you are entitled for a replacement.

Merchantability
An implied warranty of merchantability is a warranty implied by law that goods are reasonably fit for the general purpose for which they are sold.

International sales law
In international sales law, merchantability forms part of the ordinary purpose of the goods. According to Article 35(2)(a) of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, a seller must provide goods fit for their ordinary purpose.

Source: Wikipedia, Implied Warranty

Okay, so we now have established that we obviously deal with a design flaw here, which affects all iPhone 3G’s in the world. And I do believe that 4 seconds of rain is within ordinary use – I did not put it into a washing machine or something.

BUT – they also sell something which is called iPhone insurance. For some extra money you get additional extra services which cover certain things on top of the normal warranty, say theft or these things. Or accidents.

You see the thing is, I have this insurance. And the terms state:

What’s covered?

* Theft
* Loss
* Accidental Damage (including water damage)
* Worldwide cover – including free international delivery
* Guaranteed new replacement
* Accessory cover up to £200

Source: O2 iPhone Insurance

I see. Interesting.

I in fact SHOULD print this out AND PRESENT YOU WITH YOUR OWN DAMN TERMS.

FAIL!!!