iPhone FAIL
NOTHING can be easy. It’s as if there is some sort of cosmic rule guiding my life lately.
Seems simple? ISN’T.
Easy fix? NOT.
I got my iPhone on January 6th. I’ve been happy with it. There are a few things that are stupid and make me want to slap Apple upside the head. I mean, you’re APPLE. You’ve got commercials (that crack me up, btw) showing us how much better/smarter/easier/more useful you are than a PC. Shouldn’t that translate to the iPhone? Shouldn’t there be an “I’m a Blackberry/I’m an iPhone” commercial?
SHOULDN’T my iPhone be top of the line? State of the art? Above the simple, stupid things that make other phones so lame?
APPARENTLY NOT:
- You can’t send or receive Multi Media Messages. How does a $200 phone, that’s supposed new age and all that crap, NOT handle text messages with pictures? iPhone FAIL
- You can’t attach two or more pictures to an email. Duh. iPhone FAIL
- The camera? SUCKS. Poor quality, doesn’t zoom… iPhone FAIL
- This might be stupid, but it’s caused MANY moments of annoyance for me. The answer/ignore buttons should be reversed. Red/Ignore is on the left and Green/Answer is on the right. I’m constantly hanging up on people who I want to speak with. I’d take a picture to show you, but I can’t (see #5) iPhone FAIL (and I suppose this is a purely personal preference)
- You put WATER SENSORS on the OUTSIDE of the fucking phone. iPhone FAIL
I started getting this error message a few weeks ago:
At first it happened intermittently. Once, maybe twice a day for a few minutes. Last week, it showed up and stuck around. For TWO DAYS. I went to my local Apple Store to see what the Apple Geniuses could do for me. They were thoroughly perplexed, as they’d NEVER seen this warning before.
My genius hooked the phone up to a computer to see what error messages it showed her, and nothing came up. So, she took the phone “in back” to look into it further. About 2 minutes later she came back to tell me that she’d discovered the problem. The “water sensor” had been tripped. My phone had somehow received water damage.
WATER DAMAGE. I assure you, unlike some people, I’ve never dropped my iPhone in the toilet. It’s never been dropped in a margarita, a glass of wine, a mojito or even a glass of freaking water. It’s NEVER been in my pocket while I was working out (stop laughing) or placed in a cup holder that was filled with condensation (as my local Genius oh so helpfully suggested as the possible culprit). It’s been in the bathroom a few times while I took a shower (so I wouldn’t miss an OH SO IMPORTANT call) and it’s been by my side more than once while I’ve given the boys a bath.
Steam? Water splashes from bath time? I can only imagine.
Oddly enough, as soon as my Genius looked at my phone it miraculously recovered and started to work again. Until today, when it went back to Default Temperature Warning Mode, and stopped working AGAIN.
When all is said and done, my iPhone is shot. And my warranty is conveniently voided, due to “water damage”. Mind you, the warning I’m getting is new to almost EVERYONE. If you google it, you’ll get a few results from people who’ve received it while running certain apps. There’s no way to PROVE that the “water damage” caused the phone to stop working, and no way to prove that it is simply a faulty phone.
Either way, I’m screwed. But, LUCKILY for me, Apple recently changed their policy, and instead of forcing people to buy a new phone for $400 (as has been the case since they released it), they’re replacing “water damaged” units for the low, low price of $200! And, to make it an even better deal, you get a REFURBISHED iPhone! Someone else’s water damaged phone can be YOURS for ONLY $200!
Apple, I’m disenchanted. I’m bummed. I’m annoyed. I’m about to be out ANOTHER $200. Or, I might just switch back to a Blackberry. At least when THAT stopped working, all it needed was a new $10 ball.
Related posts:
Midwestmommy on 09 May 2009 at 8:27 pm #
This is why I love my pay as you go cheap butt phone, lol.
Midwestmommys last blog post..Me
[Reply]
Insta-Mom on 09 May 2009 at 8:30 pm #
I love my Blackberry. My mom still isn’t convinced she likes her iPhone. Just sayin’.
Insta-Moms last blog post..It’s a tie!
[Reply]
Amazing Greis on 09 May 2009 at 8:32 pm #
Sorry about your phone! I love mine and have never had any issues. Where are these water sensors u speak of?
Amazing Greiss last blog post..Wordless Wednesday – I think his tractor’s SEXY…
[Reply]
Chris on 09 May 2009 at 8:33 pm #
Holy crap that’s a lot of money to just throw out the window. I’d be half tempted to take a bowl of water into the store and drop the phone into it in front of the sales people. I’d bet a dollar that the warning wouldn’t come up.
Chriss last blog post..Good News And Bad News
[Reply]
Della on 09 May 2009 at 8:34 pm #
A water sensor at all is kind of rude. A water sensor that is that sensitive is just… icing.
A water sensor that gives temperature warnings? Weird?
My 2 cents on one item though – on all the phones I’ve ever had, which are not handy dandy schmancy multimedia iBerries or whatever, the green button has always been on the left and the red button has always been on the right. Samsungs, Nokias, Ericssons, flip or non-flip, they’ve all worked that way. So it makes sense that they would automatically configure it that way.
HOWEVER, it does seem weird that you can’t shuffle something in the settings that would reverse it.
[Reply]
Andrea's Sweet Life on 09 May 2009 at 8:34 pm #
I’m still on an old fashioned phone, but come June when I renew my contract, I’m going for the Blackberry. Not that that helps you in ANY way.
xoxo
Andrea’s Sweet Lifes last blog post..Even
[Reply]
Ashleigh on 09 May 2009 at 8:38 pm #
I tend to stick to the free phones my carrier offers because I’m really paranoid about things like that. I’m sorry about the mega fail!!
Ashleighs last blog post..Bliss.
[Reply]
Jessi on 09 May 2009 at 8:52 pm #
ACK! Okay yeah definitely an Epic FAIL there for apple
Sorry they’ve been giving you so much crap
Hubby and I love Love LOVE our blackberries. And we got them both for free which made it even nicer. I’m still trying to figure mine out and I keep having to steal it back from the kids when they sneak off with it to play brickbreaker.
I can’t believe they make you pay for a new one. I pay $10 a month for the 2 phones and we have what the sales person called, “Toddler insurance” It falls in the toilet…they replace it. Hubby sticks it in his pocket while he’s loading a truck in a hot warehouse and the battery becomes water damaged…they sent us a new battery free of charge.
Come to the dark side. You know you hear the Blackberries calling you…
Jessis last blog post..You spin my head right round right round…
[Reply]
Jodee on 09 May 2009 at 9:08 pm #
I totally understand your frustration. I too got the same run around from Apple that one of the “water sensors” had been tripped.. Even though it has never gotten wet. Ahh talk about frustrating. And there is no way they can prove to you that they got it wet! Because we can’t read the stupid sensors. AHH Oh well it was nice to vent. I will just say I know exactly how you feel. Except my iPhone just does not ring anymore or make any sounds.. iPhone FAIL!
Jodees last blog post..Happy Mother’s Day
[Reply]
Quart on 10 May 2009 at 2:33 am #
What a total load of crap. Appholes. (get it?!)
[Reply]
Z on 10 May 2009 at 4:11 am #
I’ve seen nearly every phone error message due to my horrible track-record with phones, but never that one! (Of course, I don’t have a fancy-schmancy Iphone! On purpose, because I KNOW I’d break it in record time…) My gut feeling on this one (due to all my phone-break-down experience) is that it is likely NOT water damage, but it will be very hard to prove it. When you take the back/whatever of the phone off, there should be an area with some metal prongs and a metal-ish plate area – has that turned color? If it has, it is DEFINITELY water. If it has not, then you *might* be able to argue against that theory, or at least try… (If it HAS, STOP using the phone! ABORT! ABORT!)
[Reply]
sam {temptingmama} on 10 May 2009 at 6:02 am #
Dammit! That sucks and TOTALLY one of my biggest fears about upgading to an iPhone. I’m completely paranoid about my iTouch screen getting damaged as it is. LOL
sam {temptingmama}s last blog post..It’s What I Do
[Reply]
Becky on 10 May 2009 at 6:12 am #
It’s due to your incredible hotness, no doubt. Happy Mother’s Day!
Beckys last blog post..EVERY Day Is Mother’s Day!
[Reply]
Grandmaother on 10 May 2009 at 6:56 am #
So now I will be eyeing my iphone suspiciously, waiting for it to turn on me.
And, more importantly, that would give Quart an opportunity to say “I told you so,” – and we can’t have that.
Keep your fingers crossed that it behaves perfectly while I am visitng her and the kiddos later this week.
I am expecting the Animatch app to get a workout while I’m there.
[Reply]
Manic Mommy on 10 May 2009 at 7:31 am #
Seriously? Don’t let it end with this! You just stick to your story (the truth) that the thing has not been water damaged and demand a new (not refurbished) iPhone. Trust me, the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease.
And thank you, I’ve been deciding between and iPhone and a Blackberry for my next phone. You just made my decision a little easier.
APPLE? ARE YOU LISTENING? DON’T EFF WITH THE BLOGOSPHERE!
Manic Mommys last blog post..Happy Mother’s Day
[Reply]
Ali on 10 May 2009 at 8:45 am #
I have my trusty Blackberry and my Hubby has the dreaded IPHONE. He thought the was all high and mighty when he got it…”oooo look ali, there’s an app to track ovulation”…really? I’m happy for you..so glad you ovulate. In case you forgot, the point of all this birth control I take is to insure that I DON’T!
Then about 3 weeks into his non-stop harassing me over the ultimate brilliance and genuis that is his glorious IPhone…it takes a crap. Gone. Never to load again.
I have never been soooo happy to be proved right and shell out the money for him to go back to a Blackberry. I refrained from the “I told you so’s”..well mostly. There might have been a few here and there.
I am 26 years old…and I’m a PC.
Alis last blog post..Wondering about Mothers
[Reply]
Inna on 10 May 2009 at 9:30 am #
don’t know if I’ve actually left a comment before but I couldn’t resist about iphones. (I found you via Z.) My mom’s iphone also craps out on her often, but she’s never gotten a temp warning – her iphone usually just gives her a completely black screen for a while and then magically comes back to life. I’m a little skeptical of getting one seeing as my phones tend to stop working as soon as I buy them…. seems like too much money to lose. But good luck! Hopefully you can find a more helpful igenius to magically allow full replacement. Flirting always works…
Innas last blog post..Mommy, you rock!
[Reply]
Al_Pal on 10 May 2009 at 12:35 pm #
Beeerhutal.
Going back to the BB sounds like a very reasonable idea. The #1&2 iFails were part of why we didn’t go iphone. No video was another, the slow keyboard was another. ;(
We dig our BBs for sure…
GL with whatever route you go.
*sympathy*
[Reply]
Amy (aka TheMom) on 10 May 2009 at 1:27 pm #
Does not sound like your phone was close enough to water to cause any damage. A little steam should not do that, but it is very telling that water damage voids the warentee. I am re-thinking my recently lustful dreams of owning an iPhone. In your face, Apple!
Amy (aka TheMom)s last blog post..This whole ad thing
[Reply]
jen on 10 May 2009 at 9:13 pm #
LALALA!!! Not listening! I want an iPhone next winter and I want to live in my little happy world of “All Things Apple Get Along With Other Things Apple And The Universe At Large.” That’s all I really want. Oh, and world peace.
jens last blog post..I almost forgot to write this Alzheimer’s post
[Reply]
La Petite Belle on 11 May 2009 at 4:08 am #
did you notice how it also does not have a search feature for email? like, seriously. the iphone doesn’t have a search feature.
[Reply]
Cheryl on 11 May 2009 at 4:15 am #
I saw this post in Crusty’s sidebar and came over. I’ve had my iPhone since October with not one problem. I think you got a lemon, and that ’sucks’ cause it really is a fabulous instrument. What will you do? BTW…it took me forever to make the decision to buy it. I thought about it for a year. In May I had $400 in my pocket to buy it. The money fell out of my pocket somewhere near Panera’s and I lost it. That hurt like hell. Then they came out with the new iPhones in June for $200. By Oct. I was ready. It’s my baby.
Cheryls last blog post..Was it good for you?
[Reply]
Jessica on 11 May 2009 at 11:43 am #
I have the Samsung Blackjack II and couldn’t be any happier! I love it, love it love it!!!!!!! I also got it from an at&t distributor on ebay, brand new sealed in box, pretty cheap. I love it, did I say that yet? It’s adorable. It works great. I have no problems with it at all. Even at the at&t store they said it was one of their better phones.
Jessicas last blog post..hurting and don’t know what to do. . .
[Reply]
Maura on 11 May 2009 at 12:05 pm #
Apple simply can’t keep up with their hype.
Come back to the Blackberry side. We miss you.
[Reply]
Christy on 11 May 2009 at 2:42 pm #
You’ve made me feel a lot better about getting the Blackberry Smart Phone instead of the iPhone (because it was cheaper!)
[Reply]
Kosher Tofu on 11 May 2009 at 5:30 pm #
My wife showed me this post and I thought I would sort of defend apple a little bit (I like them a lot).
A number of the issues you have will be fixed with the new 3.0 update. It’s packed with loads of features, most of which people have been screaming to get since it came out.
(Fail 4) You can always take a screen shot with the iPhone by clicking the power and home button at the same time.
As far as the water damage, not sure if you asked them to, but I would have made them show me the water sensor there at the bar just so I know for sure what they are talking about.
Also, AT&T is offering damage (drop/water/loss) insurance for about $8/month and with a $75 deductible you can get a new phone. Also, the 8gig iPhone is being listed (refurbished) on AT&T’s website for $99. Don’t know what size iPhone you were using, but that seems like a pretty good deal.
Don’t forget the rumors floating around about the new iPhone that might be coming in June. What better reason to upgrade?
I’ve never had a Blackberry, but love my iPhone and hope something here was helpful.
Kosher Tofus last blog post..omegle.com
[Reply]
jcgeerts on 11 May 2009 at 6:51 pm #
Write apple a hand written letter complaining, you just may be surprised they may send you a new one. if that doesn’t work switch to blackberry! Then tell all your friends!!
jcgeertss last blog post..Mothers day
[Reply]
Kat on 12 May 2009 at 6:15 am #
Oh no! I have been eyeing up a new phone for a while now. The iPhone was on my list but doesn’t work with Verizon (from what I have been told) Maybe that is a blessing in disguise!
Kats last blog post..not me monday – it’s back
[Reply]
Ginny on 12 May 2009 at 5:15 pm #
That’s too bad! I had an iPhone for 30 days—just to try it out. While I LOVED it, I couldn’t hear well enough on it to keep it, so I took it back to try another phone. I thought I would miss it, but I don’t. After reading your post, I’m glad I didn’t keep it. I’d be just as mad as you! Hope you get it worked out!
[Reply]
Joe @ IrrationalDad on 12 May 2009 at 6:56 pm #
Pardon my French, but that’s conneries (French for bullsh*t). If only ONE sensor has been “tripped” then there’s no way you submersed the phone in water. Are they suggesting that you can’t use the phone on a humid day because there’s too much moisture in the air? I dunno, it just sounds wrong to me. I hope you don’t get screwed out of a lot of money for something that isn’t your fault. Man, I’m pissed off for you!
Joe @ IrrationalDads last blog post..Tyler’s love of the B.S.
[Reply]
MommyGeekology on 13 May 2009 at 12:33 pm #
Oh, man! That really blows.
MommyGeekologys last blog post..RSS Feed Link Repaired for New Subscribers
[Reply]
Jennifer in Texas (Cjengo) on 13 May 2009 at 2:27 pm #
I swear my husband called and uttered those exact words today “Nothing can be easy can it?”.
Jennifer in Texas (Cjengo)s last blog post..I have lost my mind, and I am looking for it
[Reply]
merlotmom on 13 May 2009 at 8:43 pm #
So sorry you and the Iphone are not compatible. Even after “some people” dropped it in the toilet, that “some people” is still having a love affair with her iPhone. Maybe you guys weren’t “meant to be”. Mwah.
merlotmoms last blog post..The Un-Neighborly Neighbor
[Reply]
AMomTwoBoys » In Which I’m Forced to Dig Into the Archives on 14 May 2009 at 8:13 am #
[...] know I owe you an iPhone update, and it will come soon. I just don’t feel like WRITING anything today. Or yesterday. [...]
AMomTwoBoys » By Popular Demand on 16 May 2009 at 12:35 pm #
[...] Sorry for the crappy iPhone photo [...]
Shaycoholic on 19 May 2009 at 1:07 am #
I have an iPhone that my husband hates and he read about this water damage thing somewhere online and warned me about this – just like you said it – iPhone FAIL. I am an Apple person but I think this whole voiding the warranty because of an apparent water damage is just absurd. Shouldn’t water damage be defined as seeing actual water floating around inside your screen, or being splashed with water when those GENIUSES open your phone? Yea. Not happy. I mean, I love my iPhone (which had other issues when I first got it last year and was replaced by yes, a REFURBISHED phone), but if this ever happens to me and Apple asks for $200, that is just it.
[Reply]
Tanya on 19 May 2009 at 3:24 am #
It seems kind of odd to me that they took it in the back room then came out and said it has water damage.. Did they cause the water damage in the back room so that they didn’t have to figure out what was wrong with it?? *eyes apple employees suspiciously*
[Reply]
Nestor on 21 May 2009 at 4:54 pm #
I love the iPhone. I never realized that whole companies were dedicated to making apps for it though until I saw this interview http://jacehall.tv check it out it’s after the interview with Cyprus Hill.
[Reply]
Lisa on 22 May 2009 at 10:29 am #
I havea Samsung Instinct and I love it! I spent about $200 on it, so if you want a great replacement phone, you should check it out.
Lisas last blog post..Babies, Hormones, and Life Part II
[Reply]
AMomTwoBoys » iPhone FAIL- UPDATE and GIVEAWAY! on 08 Jun 2009 at 3:16 pm #
[...] I know you’ve all been DYING to know what happened with my iPhone debacle! [...]
AMomTwoBoys » Lessons Learned from Weekends Past on 15 Jun 2009 at 3:49 pm #
[...] you get “moisture” damage to your iPhone and have to have it replaced for $199 and you also buy a $50 case that will plug all the holes so [...]