Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Apple, earbuds, electical, shock, static | Themes: Audio/Video Players
Apple yesterday issued a warning to customers using its earbuds about a build up of static electricity that could result in a small electrical shock.
In a post on its support pages entitled, Apple Earbuds and Static Electricity, Apple told users that it is possible to receive a small and quick electrical shock from your earbuds while listening to iPod or iPhone.
Apple explains that people using the headphones in drier environments may receive a small electric shock similar to the one you get when you drag your feet across the carpet and then touch a doorknob but that instead of the static charge building up on your body, it builds up on the device and instead of discharging through your finger, it discharges through the earbuds.
Apple suggests a number of solutions to reduce the the risk of electrostatic discharge from the headphones, including grounding yourself before you use your iPod and not using your device in extremely dry weather. The full list of suggestions is below.
- Try raising the moisture level in the air of the local environment by using a portable humidifier or adjusting the humidity control on your air conditioner.
- There are a number of anti-static sprays that can be sprayed into the air that can be used to reduce static.
- If you have dry skin, try anti-static hand lotion.
- Try wearing different clothes. Try clothes with natural fibers since synthetic fibers are more likely to hold a static charge.
- Try to keep your device out of the wind by using a case, or leaving it in your bag or pocket.
- Avoid removing your device from your pockets frequently as rubbing the device on certain materials can cause a static build up.
The post also points out that this problem is not specific to Apple hardware, just in case this is swaying your decision as to whether or not you should buy Apple's iPod headphones.
-
Previous News Article
Google's Got a Street View Tricycle -
Next News Article
Broussard: 3D Realms NOT...
I the price does not shock you first the product will!
I the price does not shock you first the product will!
Agreed!
$49 for a crappy earbud... :\
Considering I've never heard this warning from any other company, I wonder if Apple should recall these before someone sues them claiming they lost their hearing over an electrical shock.
LOL What if you live in the Desert? Like, say southern Arizona, or some place where there is absolutely 0% humidity most times of the year. If you're outside, you just can't use your iShockPhones then?
so how much can we sue Apple for causing brain tumors due to constant electric shocks?
Clear!
so how much can we sue Apple for causing brain tumors due to constant electric shocks?
I wonder if its part of the apple tax or is it an extra feature?
Agreed!$49 for a crappy earbud... :\
I don't know anyone who bought iPod earphones on purpose. I only use mine because they came with my iPod.
Boom, earshot!
Mac = expensive, lie, health harm XD
Oh, sorry! I forgot "cool, cute, awesome"
LOL
Agreed!$49 for a crappy earbud... :\
Err, 50$ for earbuds? Honestly? Wow, I had no idea they were that pricey. It doesn't matter what brand you buy, earbuds will always sound like shit..
Agreed!$49 for a crappy earbud... :\
I know I'm using $5 earbuds from Wal-Mart and they have better sound quality.
I use Gumy headphones and they do they all the same, it's a tiny annoying shock, no one's going to get electricuted so put your lawyers away. Then again my headphones cost under 10 dollars so yeah.
The Zune headphones do the same thing and its really annoying.
I don't know anyone who bought iPod earphones on purpose. I only use mine because they came with my iPod.
Hahaha, I never bought them either - in fact, I don't own an iPod - but I DID laugh at my friends because they insisted that "Apple factory products" were a safe bet.
I don't use the iPhone earbuds, but the earbuds I do use have the foam covers on, am I safe from electrical shock?
I think I should right my congressperson and have them draft a bill making all earbuds illegal. That's the only safe and rational course of action to take.
I don't know anyone who bought iPod earphones on purpose. I only use mine because they came with my iPod.
But you know someone that bought them on accident? Ouch... :-|
I know I'm using $5 earbuds from Wal-Mart and they have better sound quality.
my earbuds sound great and only cost $40 dollars. they r those sony in ear kind.
"I don't use the iPhone earbuds, but the earbuds I do use have the foam covers on, am I safe from electrical shock? "
Yes, you are safe from electrical shock.
I have the sony earbuds and love them for the money...
But you know someone that bought them on accident? Ouch... :-|
I know people who own them because they bought an iPod. If Apple were to knock $49 off the price of iPods and sell the earbuds separately, I doubt anyone would buy the Apple earbuds.
Another list of ways for people to orbit around their beloved ipod, instead of the ipods orbiting them. I mean seriously, ipods seem to be such a hassle, with batteries dieing after a few recharges and stuff, why not just got some regular cheap mp3 player that no one will cry over if it breaks? It seems that people are spending money on a delicate piece of electronic, so that they can worry over it and take care of it very well and obey its every order.
I got shocked in the ear by some little phillips ear buds once. It was during the winter, so the air is already very dry, and I had them plugged into my laptop and without getting out of my seat I reached over and grabbed my super big winter coat...
I started to slide the coat on and BAM I got shocked in my left ear LOL It didn't really hurt but it killed the earbud and I had to go shell out another $20 or whatever for a new pair.
ANOTHER APPLE FAIL. This year rules.
What... Apple fails because they inform people about a problem that's UNIVERSAL among ALL earbuds?
LOL This was happening to my old iPod headphones. Garbage piece of crap, threw it away and got me some SkullCandy in-ear $20 earbuds.
Like the zaps I received actually hurt no lie. Like you'll jump a bit.
OMG! APPLE HAS HARDWARE MALFUNCTIONS??? OMG! OMG!
maybe they should market those as electrodes for taser guns...
this is the stupidest thing i have ever read! no one uses those earphones they suck! did anyone else with common sense read this? they are practicaly telling you that in order to listen to your music you have to
* Try raising the moisture level in the air of the local environment by using a portable humidifier or adjusting the humidity control on your air conditioner.
# There are a number of anti-static sprays that can be sprayed into the air that can be used to reduce static.
# If you have dry skin, try anti-static hand lotion.
# Try wearing different clothes. Try clothes with natural fibers since synthetic fibers are more likely to hold a static charge.
# Try to keep your device out of the wind by using a case, or leaving it in your bag or pocket.
# Avoid removing your device from your pockets frequently as rubbing the device on certain materials can cause a static build up
that is just dumb
who would want to do that just to listen to music, what if you are on a bus are you going to whip out an anti static spray? no
I live in Arizona, so it's dry all year round.
Needless to say, I bought my own, better earphones after my Apple ones that came with my iPod gave me that first shock.