Apart from grappling with slowing iPhone sales, Apple is also embroiled in numerous lawsuits. One of the lawsuits is about Apple throttling its older phones. To recap, Apple came under fire after it was revealed that the software updates issued by the company, which the Cupertino giant stated improved the battery performance of the phone, actually slow down older devices, prompting consumers to believe it as an act of planned obsolescence so they’d be forced to upgrade to the newer model. Of course, Apple denies the claim and to get across its point in a better way, the company recently used an unusual analogy.
Apple Denies Claims That It Misled Consumers - Compares iOS Updates to Kitchen Renovations
The company has always argued that it slows down older processors to deal with the problem of aging batteries so that older iPhones do not shut down abruptly. In a 50-page filing submitted by Apple to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on January 24, the company denies the claim that it misled customers by encouraging them to download an iOS update without warning them what it entails.
Apple further said that its batteries are manufactured to retain up to 80 percent of their original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles and says that the company is under no obligation to tell people about the software capability and battery capacity if it does not cause safety hazards and there is a limit to the disclosure level.
Apple further said that updates were not installed without user's consent and by agreeing to the iOS license agreement, they provided the company with the necessary permissions to make the changes. The company used the example of kitchen installations to show that when residents give a building contractor the permission to upgrade their kitchens, they implicitly allow the contractor to demolish and change some parts of the house. So, since iPhone users provide their consent to the company before downloading an update, it cannot be held liable for trespassing.
The lawsuit hearing is scheduled for March 7 and it will be presided over by Judge Edward J. Davila. It is also worth mentioning that after the iPhone throttling scandal, Apple offered an out-of-warranty battery replacement program which reduced the cost to customers from $79 to $29. As many as 11 million iPhone batteries were replaced during the program, which represents a significant increase from the original $79 pricing.
Do you think Apple is right to dismiss the lawsuit? Tell us your thoughts down in the comments.
News Source: AppleInsider
