from the since-when-did-radio-frequency-stop-being-two-words? dept.
The Chicago Tribune recently launched an investigation into the radiofrequency radiation levels output by popular smartphones, and found that some of Apple's iPhones are allegedly emitting radiofrequency radiation that exceeds safety limits.
According to the newspaper, it contracted an accredited lab to test several smartphones according to federal guidelines. iPhones were secured below clear liquid formulated to simulate human tissue while probes measured the radiofrequency radiation the liquid absorbed.
Several iPhones measured over the legal safety limits in the tests, but the worst performer was the iPhone 7. Its radiofrequency radiation exposure was over the legal limit and more than double what Apple reported to federal regulators.
The iPhone X was slightly over limits in some tests, as was the iPhone 8, while the 8 Plus stayed within the legal range. iPhones were tested twice after Apple provided feedback on the testing method. The modified test "added steps intended to activate sensors designed to reduce the phones' power."
[...] The FCC, meanwhile, said that it is going to be doing its own testing over the next couple of months.
"We take seriously any claims on non-compliance with the RF (radiofrequency) exposure standards and will be obtaining and testing the subject phones for compliance with FCC rules," agency spokesman Neil Grace said.
Also at AppleInsider and PhoneArena.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 22 2019, @04:12PM (2 children)
"You're testing it wrong"
They absolutely said that.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday August 22 2019, @04:56PM
Don't keep your Apple Card in a Leather Wallet, warns Apple. [arstechnica.com]
You're storing it wrong!
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DeathMonkey on Thursday August 22 2019, @05:23PM
So did Volkswagen!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 22 2019, @04:27PM
how will all the mapple using zombies be able to fund the enemies of free humanity every chance they get if they are dead from brain cancer?
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Thursday August 22 2019, @04:32PM
It's a feature
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 22 2019, @04:40PM
Better call Saul
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mTEmqJkCrDQ [youtube.com]
(Score: 2) by SomeGuy on Thursday August 22 2019, @04:52PM (2 children)
So cell phones will microwave people's brains.
Wait, what brains?
Right, then they have done their jobs already.
The solution, of course, is to change the legal limit to enable nuking the brains of non-cell phone users too. We can't use old wired phones, because wires are oooold.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday August 22 2019, @05:01PM
It would be better if cell phones microwaved popcorn instead of people's brains. What brains? Popcorn for brains! And Jobs is done already. If we all used wired phones, then instead of walking into walls, chairs and fountains, we'd all be getting our extension cords tangled. Could you imagine the tangle of cord on a modern city sidewalk?
When untangling, I would appeal to Miksch's Law. [anvari.org] (if a phone cord has one end, then it has another end. ditto for ethernet cables)
The lower I set my standards the more accomplishments I have.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Farkus888 on Thursday August 22 2019, @05:38PM
Apple phones cooking their users brains certainly explains why they have such high brand loyalty.
(Score: 1) by fustakrakich on Thursday August 22 2019, @04:58PM
Chaaa [livingly.com]!
So iPhones have a "cheat" switch too, eh?
La politica e i criminali sono la stessa cosa..
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday August 22 2019, @06:57PM
How Apple creates such rabid fanbois.
They literally alter the brains of their users to become fanbois.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Rupert Pupnick on Thursday August 22 2019, @08:09PM
I guess if you're trying to measure in units of W/kg, you have to do something along these lines, but it's not surprising at all that you would see big differences between Apple labs and a third party test house. I mean, what's in that clear liquid, and why do they think it's a good way of simulating RF absorption in body tissue that is not at all homogeneous? Your head has bone, blood, and lots of other stuff in between.
Why not the EMI chamber approach used in industry? Just measure field strength per some solid angle volume with a calibrated antenna against some limit, and leave it at that. Is it because of near field versus far field differences?
(Score: 2) by jmichaelhudsondotnet on Friday August 23 2019, @11:08AM
Your black box tech is not behaving as expected?
Someone put digital mechanical design requirements as a more important criteria than the survival of the biological organism using it?
Whose ready for that upgrade!
Sure I'll upgrade to let you beam whatever into my house as long as I get a sensor that can detect it and a lawyer for me to sue you with.
Oh, I won't get that? The burden will be on the individual to purchase 10k worth of equipment and lawyers?
If like me 10 minutes before these test results, you would have been called insane for predicting them, give yourself a trophy for living in reality. Unfortunately, that is the only prize available, the remainder of your winnings will be various forms of psychological torture.