Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports • Hacker News Board

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#241

Post by crote » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 12:54 PM UTC

tgv wrote: post #229

explodingwaffle wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes: because Apple actually got this added to the spec: https://www.usb.org/document-library/usb-type-cr-cable-and-c... which is the real story IMO (I am impressed no one bothered looking at the Type-C spec update after the Type-C iPhone finally came out) This actually replaced the analog audio mode (good riddance- whoever thought adding analog audio into a port that also does digital audio was a good idea?)

Me with an analog headphone?

The problem is that it's a rather confusing Alt Mode.

Basically, it's only supposed to be used for USB-C-to-3.5mm adapters, and it was only implemented by some smartphones. It's not a reliable way to get audio out of a USB-C port, and because it's using the internal DAC the audio quality isn't going to be good anyways.

The proper solution is to use a USB DAC. This provides the same user experience but it actually works with all USB-C devices. Considering the official Apple USB DAC is available for $9, the Audio Alt Mode really doesn't have a reason to exist.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#242

Post by alpaca128 » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 12:56 PM UTC

grishka wrote: post #232

alpaca128 wrote: post #227

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately bigger phone means more space for the battery and rest of the hardware, so companies will keep making their Pro Ultra models larger and so of course the larger ones are more of a status symbol.

But the screen consumes most of the charge in a modern phone anyway. The smaller the screen, the less battery capacity you need to get a sensible battery life. The CPU also matters, of course — that's one thing I like about my Pixel 4a, it lasts long even after 3 years because it uses a weak-ass SoC that nonetheless is perfectly capable for messaging and web browsing.

The screen is off most of the time. The iPhone 13 Mini has the same CPU as the larger models and there is a significant difference in battery life, you likely won't find a review for this device which doesn't mention how fast the battery drains.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#243

Post by guappa » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:03 PM UTC

Doxin wrote: post #108

ralfd wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Water resistant is not water proof.

A cop out is not warranty. If your phone can't deal with water you probably shouldn't advertise that it can.

It's like testla's autopilot. It's self driving until you crash, then it's your own fault.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#244

Post by grishka » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:04 PM UTC

alpaca128 wrote: post #242

grishka wrote: post #232

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But the screen consumes most of the charge in a modern phone anyway. The smaller the screen, the less battery capacity you need to get a sensible battery life. The CPU also matters, of course — that's one thing I like about my Pixel 4a, it lasts long even after 3 years because it uses a weak-ass SoC that nonetheless is perfectly capable for messaging and web browsing.

The screen is off most of the time. The iPhone 13 Mini has the same CPU as the larger models and there is a significant difference in battery life, you likely won't find a review for this device which doesn't mention how fast the battery drains.

From my own experience, iPhones are really bad with idle battery life. The iPhone 11 Pro I have for occasionally testing iOS apps would drain the battery in ~3 days just laying on my desk doing nothing. Android phones, on the other hand, last more than a week when not used thanks to "doze mode" and other optimizations in recent versions. But I suppose that difference isn't as noticeable when you actually use an iPhone as your real phone and charge it daily at night.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#245

Post by ethanbond » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:06 PM UTC

chris_wot wrote: post #93

blackoil wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"rights of warranty" can't be unconditional. If I drop my phone and it breaks or drop laptop in pool, that wouldn't be on the company?

If they decide to go down this path, someone in Australia will report them to the ACCC. If they are using it as an excuse to avoid their warranty obligations, then they will be sorry.

Your claim is that in Australia, you cannot offer a warranty that exempts water damage? I find that extremely hard to believe.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#246

Post by johnwalkr » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:08 PM UTC

wslh wrote: post #231

BTW, several years ago, a mix of mango, strawberry, and orange shake was spilled to the keyboard of a MacBook Air M1. It was not detected ;-) but the keyboard continue to work flawlessly, just a little sticky. Seriously speaking, other similar experiences with other notebooks were not great and a keyboard replacement was needed.

More than 10 years ago I spilled miso soup on a 2010 MacBook Pro on my first day moving to Japan. I took it apart and cleaned it but the keyboard and trackpad couldn't be saved. Some keys always sent a signal and it would only boot into safe mode. But I could disassemble the laptop, turn it on, and remove the keyboard connector and then use it with an external mouse and keyboard. I did that for about a week until replacement parts arrived. I fixed it and the MacBook still works to this day.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#247

Post by guappa » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:10 PM UTC

microtonal wrote: post #146

grishka wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same for sanely-sized screens. It really sucks for someone who doesn't watch any videos on their phone and still treats it mostly as a limited communication device rather than their primary gateway to the internet. The fact that I'm a relatively compact person doesn't help either.

The iPhone 12/13 Mini was substantially smaller, but few people bought it, so they cancelled it. The vast majority seem to want large screens. Currently the only compromise are flip phones. I considered buying the Z Flip 5, but the screen protector needs to be replaced by Samsung to maintain warranty and there is no Samsung Store nearby. I asked and Samsung said I'd have to send it to them, losing my phone for a coup…

> The iPhone 12/13 Mini was substantially smaller, but few people bought it

I knew before scrolling down that such a comment would be there.

an iphone costs easily 5x-7x more than an android phone. Most people just want a phone that can do messages, calls, and has a gps. There haven't been any non-overpriced smaller smartphones lately.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#248

Post by johnwalkr » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:14 PM UTC

sen wrote: post #28

metadat wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My iPhone 13 mini was IP rated and died after the first dunk. All of my Android Galaxy SXX phones have survived tons worse.. repeatedly. I treat the new iPhone I had to buy as if it were made of porous glass. Edit: Thanks everyone for the additional data points!

I’ve been snorkeling and swimming with my 14 Pro Max a couple dozen times, taking videos and photos, and never had an issue. I also wash my phone under the tap regularly (weekly or more) because I spend lots of time in a grimy workshop for hobbies. Only one data point but the waterproof aspect of modern phones is one of my absolute favorite developments.

At the start of covid I broke my iPhone 11's faceid sensor washing it with soapy water. It turns out that the reduced surface tension of soapy water can allow it to get past some barriers.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#249

Post by chongli » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:15 PM UTC

wharvle wrote: post #125

dzhiurgis wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My 13 Pro has drowned at least 3 or 4 times, still working. Also worth mentioning it's been case free and survived countless drops. I don't understand why people put cases anymore.

I’d shatter the glass every year, if not multiple times a year, without a case, is why. I probably drop my phone on concrete or tile at least once every couple months. I’ve broken my fair share. I’ve also had a couple that didn’t shatter but had chips and separation develop around the edges. Matter of time before water kills one like that.

Apple started using much more shatter-resistant glass from iPhone 12 onward. These phones can survive many drops onto concrete that would easily shatter older phones.

Re: Macs can now inform Apple if any liquids have been detected in the USB-C ports

#250

Post by Someone » Tue, Jan 09, 2024, 1:17 PM UTC

kuschkufan wrote: post #168

froddd wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing in the article says Apple will void warranty on an iPhone if water has been detected in the charging port (water damage is a different thing entirely). This concerns Mac computers, which are not sold as waterproof.

I don't know, the first sentence says: > Apple’s limited warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by liquids, even for water-resistant products like the iPhone, Apple Watch, and some AirPods models. But the article is kind of all over the place. It then says Macs can now detect water in USB-C ports while having pictures in the article of iPhones showing messages that they detected liquids. They like to make the point tha…

> Apple’s limited warranty doesn’t cover damage caused by liquids, even for water-resistant products

If the product meets the advertised water resistance, damage caused by liquids must be caused by usage outside of that.

So, _if_ they can prove their product meets or exceeds those specs, I think it’s fine they won’t cover that under warranty, as long as local laws don’t force them to do more (in the EU, for newish devices, they’d have to proof that the device wasn’t already broken when sold, for example)