They have admitted to intentionally slowing down older devices. This goes beyond designed obselesence, this is a case where the device lasted longer than Apple wanted it too and have executed a software push to slow the device.
Now, they allege that it was a measure to prolong battery life in aging devices, but frankly I think that "argument" would only hold water if it wasn't a sealed sytem. The software push forces the user to either pay for an expansive repair to have the battery replaced or simply upgrade to a newer device.
Beyond the lawsuit. I believe this will attract the attention of not one, but several government agencies including, but not limited to the FTC, the SEC and FCC.
I know the basic situation, but what's the actionable cause? Is slowing down a device really enough?
Also, I was given to understand the update is designed to prevent phones from shutting off due to high draw spikes to aging batteries, and would supposedly only affect phones that are prone to shutting off in that scenario.
The problem with all this is that Apple is claiming something that may be very easy do disprove and might be digging a deeper hole for itself.
It all boils down to this: the suit has to prove that Apple is doing this with full knowledge and intent. Basically, "power management" is fine. It tweaks performance so that the phone is less demanding on old batteries (albeit, we should get the option to reduce performance). However, they claim it only acts when the battery is old (an as-of-yet undefined number of charge cycles).
So, theoretically, if someone were to replace the old battery with a new one (which ironically voids your warranty), the software tweak should not activate and performance should be in line with what iPhone reviewers published during their launch reviews. Anyone can try to disprove this and if Apple claims one thing and it is proven they are lying, then it's a fairly open-and-shut case. It'll take certified labs and experts to prove it in court, though.
Now, they allege that it was a measure to prolong battery life in aging devices, but frankly I think that "argument" would only hold water if it wasn't a sealed sytem. The software push forces the user to either pay for an expansive repair to have the battery replaced or simply upgrade to a newer device.
Beyond the lawsuit. I believe this will attract the attention of not one, but several government agencies including, but not limited to the FTC, the SEC and FCC.
Also, I was given to understand the update is designed to prevent phones from shutting off due to high draw spikes to aging batteries, and would supposedly only affect phones that are prone to shutting off in that scenario.
It all boils down to this: the suit has to prove that Apple is doing this with full knowledge and intent. Basically, "power management" is fine. It tweaks performance so that the phone is less demanding on old batteries (albeit, we should get the option to reduce performance). However, they claim it only acts when the battery is old (an as-of-yet undefined number of charge cycles).
So, theoretically, if someone were to replace the old battery with a new one (which ironically voids your warranty), the software tweak should not activate and performance should be in line with what iPhone reviewers published during their launch reviews. Anyone can try to disprove this and if Apple claims one thing and it is proven they are lying, then it's a fairly open-and-shut case. It'll take certified labs and experts to prove it in court, though.