Oh Apple, here we go again. Two years ago, Apple updated iOS with measures to throttle processors of devices with failing batteries. That part isn’t so bad, because such programming could actually save a device from either random instant shutdowns, or worse, a total failure of the processor. Unfortunately, Apple forgot to tell everyone what they were doing until some enterprising users figured it out and called them out.
Just yesterday I suggested that Apple should cut back to offering just two iOS upgrades per device starting this year, so it may sound like I’m talking out of sides of my mouth with today’s suggestion that Apple should be more generous in its attempt to appease unhappy iPhone users. However, yesterday’s post was just a New Year’s Resolution, and it’s no big deal that 99.9% of them are completely unrealistic, right? We all know there’s no way Apple will be taking my crazy advise. However, back here in the real world, Apple is still getting shelled over the self-inflicted issue of iPhone battery watching and device throttling. They could use a few realistic pointers to put this thing to bed, since they haven’t managed to do it on their own yet.
Apple tends to be a tight-lipped company, controlling the news and the narrative around them and their products whenever possible. However, sometimes that isn’t possible, and the recent customer dissatisfaction and negative press bonanza over their decision to throttle the processors of iPhones with worn batteries certainly qualifies. They responded publicly last week to admit to the practice of slowing phones with worn batteries to prevent usage peaks and shutdowns for the safety of internal components. Even though there are legitimate reasons for their actions, Apple’s admission to adding this “feature” went over like a lead balloon with many users and members of the tech press. Today, they responded again.