The Pro's and Mini are not "affected" because the results are not peer-reviewed in any way.
That alone should already raise some red flags on the testing that was done.
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Apple to Issue iPhone 12 Software Update in France to Address Radiation Concerns
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The Pro's and Mini are not "affected" because the results are not peer-reviewed in any way.
That alone should already raise some red flags on the testing that was done.
This is only in your mind...
Releasing the hotfix has to do with complying with regulations not with acknowledging a danger.
Non-ionizing radiation is safe.
Hardly. Devices are tested using a standard methodology to verify compliance, so "specific testing protocol" is the proper way to describe what was done.
Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. Maybe they assumed the software changes wouldn't affect power output and thus didn't test. It's also possible they did and the results were in compliance.
However, if that differed from the initial test regimen then claiming the device no longer is compliant is a bit of regulatory overreach.
We do not know if any changes were made to how the device was tested, so it's hard to say what actually changed.
Even with the higher levels the device output is well below the safe limit.
Good point. That was not clear. It's possible the specified testing protocol was updated and teh new one changed some parameters that resulted in higher readings.
Hard to say. One possibility is the design is better shielded and thus, even with increased output, never exceed the legal limit.
However, that was the reception users paid for. I suspect we'll see claims of "My iPhone doesn't work anymore" and "Apple's trying to force us to buy new iPhones" even if the change in reception is imperceptable. People will think it is bad because they heard Apple lowered the modem power; even if that isn't the case.
At certain levels. Cell phones? Sure (note 1) I'd hardly call exposure to say, a microwave oven level safe. Or a radar array; both of which are non-ionizing radiation.
Yes, I am being pedantic, but as an engineer who has worked with various types of radiation I am careful about how I use the word safe.
Note 1: Although maybe prolonged low level exposure causes brain damage, so 30 plus years of use may explain the rise of Trump, Le Pen, AfD, etc...
Hopefully this will finally see an end to the frequent Hulk incidents in Paris.
You're holding it wrong !
Maybe reducing emissions will improve battery life?
After all, these emissions (plus, of course, light, heat and sound) are all powered by the battery. Reduce the emissions then, simplistically, you might expect battery usage to drop. Not enough information to calculate by how much.
After all, these emissions (plus, of course, light, heat and sound) are all powered by the battery. Reduce the emissions then, simplistically, you might expect battery usage to drop. Not enough information to calculate by how much.
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If you read some of the articles about this, the issue only arose when using the phone in a pocket or while holding it away from the body. When used by the head, like typical use, the non-ionizing radiation levels were within limits. It was only in a couple of use cases (using while in a pocket and holding away from the head) where absorptions were a little high.
Independent scientists say it’s not a big deal. France says it's not a big deal. The EU simply has particular cutoffs and the iPhone 12 was a little higher than the cutoffs on a couple of tests. It passed everything years ago when released so something changed. Apple's doing a software fix to move on from this. Easier to do that than fight this.
Here’s the Washington Post article about it (this shouldn’t be being a paywall):
France bans iPhone 12 sales over radiation levels: Here’s what to know
A French regulator said the device exposed users to radiation levels that exceed European restrictions; however, Apple says the cellphone is safe.
France is making a big deal out of nothing. Rules are rules so I understand them with this but that doesn't mean the particular rules are correct.
The AP article giving context: https://apnews.com/article/france-apple-iphone-radiation-b51b82309100f959c83a2a19536dc934
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Funny you should say that: “France’s digital minister said the iPhone 12’s radiation levels are still much lower than levels that scientific studies consider could harm users, and the agency itself acknowledges that its tests don’t reflect typical phone use.”
The iPhone 12 emits too much radiation and Apple must take it off the market, French agency says
French regulators have ordered Apple to stop selling the iPhone 12, saying it emits electromagnetic radiation levels that are above European Union standards for exposure.
If the material of the antenna weakens over time, the signal strength of the RF signals reduces over time so to combat this the software of the phone is tweaked to increase the RF power of the phone. The RF power of the phone will have to be reduced so that it falls back within EU limits. The problem is is that it will weaken the signal strength of the phone. No longer will users see full signal strength bars on their phone unless they are in very close proximity to a mobile phone cell tower. It would also lead to dropped calls as people move around the country because the reduced RF power would mean it might not be possible for the iphone 12 to maintain constant contact with mobile phone cell towers.
Thanks, I must have read different articles.If you read some of the articles about this, the issue only arose when using the phone in a pocket or while holding it away from your body. When used by the head, the non-ionizing radiation levels were within limits. It was only in a couple of use cases (using while in a pocket and holding away from the head).
Independent scientists say it’s not a big deal. France says it's not a big deal. The EU simply has particular cutoffs and the iPhone 12 was a little higher than the cutoffs on a couple of tests. It passed everything years ago when released.
Here’s the Washington Post article about it (this shouldn’t be being a paywall):
France bans iPhone 12 sales over radiation levels: Here’s what to know
A French regulator said the device exposed users to radiation levels that exceed European restrictions; however, Apple says the cellphone is safe.www.msn.com
France is making a big deal out of nothing.
The AP article giving context: https://apnews.com/article/france-apple-iphone-radiation-b51b82309100f959c83a2a19536dc934
What I read was that typically measurements are done with small distance to the test subject, and that's what the standards require, but the French being French do it their own way and that was without the gap.
I do have some concerns about these devices in general especially holding to the head etc so happy if there's more public discourse and less blindly trusting the tech giants. I'm sure they also do their best to make the devices safe, but they also have other priorities.
Because only this ridiculous French agency thinks it’s a problem, despite any evidence whatsoever showing any harm.
Considering there is zero evidence to suggest the EM waves in the cellphone spectrum pose any risk whatsoever (and plenty to support that they don’t), the devices ARE safe.
There couldn't be any long-term evidence as we've only used this kind of devices for a short time. It's really the longterm exposure especially with the heavy usage as people are hooked on them.
CDC also says that we don't know. History is packed with inventions that were found unsafe later on when the evidence mounted over the longer term. Hopefully that's not the case here, but better to err on side of caution.
We don’t know for sure if RF radiation from cell phones can cause health problems years later. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF radiation as a “possible human carcinogen.”
CDC - Radiation: FAQs about Cell Phones and Your Health
Frequently asked questions about cell phones and your health. Provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Actually Apples initial response was reported on this site yesterday, so it wasn’t in ‘my mind’ at all. And I do not care what levels are actually safe and have not argued that, my point is it is a fact Apple breached legal regulated allowed levels.
So do you agree with the French regulators that the iPhone presents an unacceptable health hazard to users?
No it's not, it's just a real world realisation that things like 'electromagentic waves' and 'radiation' aren't understood by most people beyond their negative connotations.
If I posted that I'd discovered that when I used the torch on my iPhone, it was emitting electromagnetic radiation in the 380-700nm range, detectable over 100 meters away, all hell would break lose.
Not really though. https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/topics/cellphones
Distance and dose do matter.
Radiation concerns?
lts a feature: Leave you’re phone behind? You can still light up the night with Apple iGlow.
lts a feature: Leave you’re phone behind? You can still light up the night with Apple iGlow.
The ANFR said there was no health hazard but that since the device exceeded the allowable limits it must be either brought into specification or recalled.
Apple's response of fixing the problem in France, but nowhere else, is absurd. This is going to blow out of control and turn into a huge embarrassment for Apple, not unlike the VW scandal. OH - we are so safe - we make watches that can tell if your heart is having a tremor, but our iPhones fail basic radiation safety tests.
Next, watch how every Euro nation runs the same test as the Frrench, and requires the same fix, in every jursidiction. Then, people in the UK will want to know why Apple has to fix their product on mainland Europe, but not in the UK. And so on. Eventually, the fix will be worldwide anyway. Where's that BIG MAMMA Mother Nature lady now?
Next, watch how every Euro nation runs the same test as the Frrench, and requires the same fix, in every jursidiction. Then, people in the UK will want to know why Apple has to fix their product on mainland Europe, but not in the UK. And so on. Eventually, the fix will be worldwide anyway. Where's that BIG MAMMA Mother Nature lady now?
As long as it remains implemented on the device when used by the customer versus being triggered by the connection of the testing equipment, it's different. Just another electronic governor that throttles performance to meet regulatory standards.
It's only "absurd" if France's radiation concerns are deemed valid and justified by other countries. Maybe France is being overly and unnecessarily cautious about the radiation levels. Maybe their conclusions are wrong. I'm not saying they are or aren't but why should their rules/regulations automatically have to be applied to other countries especially if the consequences of doing so (the software update) can make the iPhone experience worse for users?
What's absurd is for you to suggest that just because one country, like France, says something that is should be gospel for all other countries.
The fix will likely be rolled out to other countries who determine that the concerns are valid (perhaps after doing their own testing and assessments) but there's no reason to do it before then.