Users find Apple's iPhone and iPod shocking, literally

By on May 20, 2009 at 1:33 PM
News May 20, 2009

No, seriously. Apple just put up a new support page in response to claims from many users regarding electrical shocks received from Apple’s iPhone and iPod earbuds. The shocks are described as “small and quick”, but clearly the issue is serious enough to warrant an official response from Apple. The aforementioned support page, found below on the read link, describes the situation as follows:

When using headphones in areas where the air is very dry, it is easy to build up static electricity and possible for your ear to receive a small electrostatic discharge from the headphones. Receiving a static shock from a pair of earbuds does not necessarily indicate an issue with the iPod, iPhone, or earbuds.

This condition is very similar to dragging your feet across a carpet and receiving a static shock by touching a door knob. However, instead of the static charge building up on your body, the charge builds up on the device that the earbuds are connected to. Likewise, instead of the static buildup discharging through your finger when you touch a door knob, it discharges through the earbuds.

Apple goes on to claim this is an issue that affects equipment from other manufacturers as well and then recommends a few solutions, such as using anti-static hand lotion or wearing “clothes with natural fibers since synthetic fibers are more likely to hold a static charge.” Umm, Apple wants people to change their wardrobes because its headphones are shocking ear canals? Yeah, so we’re going to go ahead and stick to third-party headsets from here on out. Kthx.

Thanks, Tyrone!

[Via Cnet]

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38 Comments

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  • Philip

    It’s lovely how people try to attack apple because of misuse of electronic products. I personally don’t like apple and I do not own any of their products I plan to keep it that way, but I find it unfair to accuse them of something like this. Poor apple.

  • http://numetheus.shutterfly.com Christopher Cox

    I can’t believe how many of you hear about static shock from headphones and all of a sudden blame it on Apple. I have a pair that I used with my creative Zen. When I use it WITHOUT the foam piece (because I lost them), I get the static all the time if I’m out and about. I am from Arizona where it is very hot and dry. This happens with all in-ear headphones if you don’t have the foam piece and if the conditions are right. And no … the ones with rubber inserts don’t have the static problem either.

  • http://numetheus.shutterfly.com Christopher Cox

    @Rusty,
    Obviously, some people here have no idea about static electricity because some of us just blamed it on Apple and the crappy headsets. That page was written for these kinds of people. Like someone else said … the same reason why people have to put a burn warning on ‘hot’ coffee.

  • Peterrabbit

    @Joe Tour
    That is called “sheepshock” lol. And why would’nt apple think they can feed people a line like that. A lot of people have bought into the rest of the hype so why not this too. If I owned an I-phone which I don’t and won’t I would be highly insulted.

  • motomann

    those earphones suck anywayz!!

  • djv

    This is obviously a defect in the product. I have an iPod Classic with the same crappy head phones and I have never been shocked. I do not use the foam covers and I have used them in dry climates. I can’t believe people are stupid enough to fall for this crap. Even my iPop Shuffle with the same head phones, without the foam have not shocked me.

    If this were a static issue then the warning would be for all iPods and not just the Touch and iPhone. Come on people, think for crying out loud.

  • C Levo

    This is ridiculous. They are trying to avoid a recall. This problem SHOULD NOT HAPPEN! and a recall should be in order or some kind of discount to your next purchase. I’ve had this problem and thought I was the only one, but then I just thought about it….none of my bose headphones or earbuds do this, none of my skulls earbuds do this.

    Sounds like Apple is having a problem and trying to blame it on science instead of saying we need to fix these and have a recall.

  • Zak

    This used to happen to me!

  • http://palfrei.blogspot.com Palfrei

    Apple buyers must change their wardrobe because this problem isn’t Apples fault, but it’s customers’.

  • JakeyBoy

    its static electricity. wots uh the deal?

  • Jimmy

    I noticed this over a year ago, so I stopped using the iPod headphones. It was quite painful.. I’m surprised they just started responding to the issue now.

  • Dean

    Post article asap pls iPhone 4 antenna shocking me when transmitting and somewhat sweaty hands ! Plus don’t like raw antenna pressing on my skin and even more rf skin absorption.

  • Heh

    I have iphone and docking station. From time to time it hangs. All I found is that static electricity can be the issue. Yes I blame apple. I expect them to do proper specification and grounding is a part of it. I’m in the middle ground – docking station seller says – it is iphone problem. Apple says – it is docking station problem.
    Well – next time I will buy HTC – with common working stuff.

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