Thesun 2009-08-28 Page09 Uproar Over Exploding Iphones

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| FRIDAY AUGUST 28 2009

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Uproar over exploding iPhones PARIS: Half a dozen new cases of “exploding iPhones” emerged in France on Wednesday, as Apple faced an official inquiry and calls to come clean over possible risks linked to its wildly popular smartphone. An 80-year-old pensioner from the Paris suburbs said on Wednesday his iPhone screen cracked up in his hands, a day after a supermarket watchman claimed he was hurt in the eye when his screen suddenly shattered this week. Ten French consumers have now come forward saying their iPhone screens exploded or cracked without explanation, according to an AFP tally, including a first case in mid-August in which a teenager suffered an eye injury. Apple is accused of trying to hush up 15 cases of iPod music players heating up and bursting into flames in the United States and in one similar British case, all apparently due to overheated lithium ion batteries. None of the incidents has caused a serious injury but Apple was forced to defend the safety of its flagship smartphone before the European Union this month, in-

briefs Missing toddlers found on train track LOS ANGELES: State regulators were investigating on Wednesday how two two-year-old infants managed to escape from a daycare centre and make their way to a train track, where they were discovered by a passerby. The two boys had been playing outdoors at a YMCA day care centre in Anaheim, near Los Angeles, last Thursday and were discovered missing when supervisors at the day-care centre conducted a head count, the centre said. The wandering pair were then spotted playing alongside train tracks near the daycare centre by a passerby, who moved the two boys away from the area and called police, Anaheim Police Sergeant Rick Martinez told the Los Angeles Times. California’s Department of Social Services said it would investigate the incident, and the day-care centre said it also would carry out an inquiry. – AFP

Cambodia pulls back troops from temple PHNOM PENH: Cambodia began a partial withdrawal of troops from its disputed border with Thailand yesterday, a move likely to ease tensions between the two over a 900-year-old Hindu temple. “This shows the positive position of Cambodia, that we want to live in peace, and is something the two nations will benefit from,” said Gen Chea Dara, deputy commander in chief of Cambodia’s armed forces. “At the same time, we still have enough troops to defend our own territory,” he told Reuters by telephone from the border.

sisting the exploding screen cases were “isolated incidents”. The US technology giant, which has sold 26 million iPhones and 200 million iPods to date, said it been informed of the French cases, but would not comment until it had examined the damaged phones. “We are aware of these reports and we are waiting to receive the iPhones from the customers. Until we have the full details, we don’t have anything further to add,” said Alan Hely, head of communications at Apple Europe. But France’s official competition, consumer affairs and fraud watchdog has launched an investigation to find out whether the Apple smartphone could pose a threat to consumers. Maxis Communications Bhd (Maxis), the distributor of iPhones in Malaysia, has declined to comment on the matter. “We cannot comment on the product as there are guidelines regarding this,” said Maxis head of public relations Catherine Leong. Meanwhile the public relations manager of Apple Malini Mitra said that the company does not have any comments for now. – Agencies

The regional commander on the Thai side of the border said there were no plans to follow suit. “There will be no withdrawal from this side,” Maj-Gen Chawalit Chunprasan said. – Reuters

Taiwan approves Dalai Lama visit TAIPEI: Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday approved a visit next week by the Dalai Lama to the typhoon-hit island in a move analysts say could damage Taipei’s efforts to improve ties with China. “We have decided to the Dalai Lama’s visit to pray for the souls of the deceased and seek blessings for the survivors of the typhoon,” Ma told reporters in central Nantou county. The Dalai Lama, whom Beijing has accused of trying to split Tibet from China and reacts angrily to any country or territory hosting him, said last year that he wanted to visit Taiwan but Ma said then that the timing was not right. - AFP

Pee in the shower, Brazilians told SAO PAULO: The environmental organisation SOS Mata Atlantica is running a campaign to get Brazilians to pee in the shower to reduce water consumption and protect the environment. Xixi no Banho or “Pee in the shower” is the name of the campaign which is making its point with funny videos and its own website www.xixinobanho. org.br. “The environment is happy about the amount of water saved. Every flush of the loo uses around 12 litres of water. Flushing just once a day makes a total of 4,380 litres per year,” said the organisation which is trying to protect the Mata Atlantica, the Atlantic rainforest. – dpa

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