Joe Rossignol

Joe joined MacRumors as an Editor in January 2015, based out of Toronto, Canada. He has been writing about Apple since 2008, with bylines at 9to5Mac, 9to5Google, and many other tech-focused publications.

Joe has been cited by major media outlets, including Bloomberg News, CBS, CNBC, CNN, NBC, Reuters, TechCrunch, and The Washington Post. Many of his headlines have been featured by tech news aggregator Techmeme.



WWDC 2019 Dates Confirmed: June 3-7 in San Jose [Updated]

Tuesday February 12, 2019 6:57 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has yet to announce the dates for its Worldwide Developers Conference in 2019, but MacRumors has uncovered evidence that confirms the event will take place June 3-7 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. WWDC took place June 4-8 in 2018 and June 5-9 in 2017 at McEnery, so it would be natural if WWDC 2019 were scheduled for the same week of June. The weeklong conference has been hosted in the first half of June every year since 2007 and at McEnery specifically since 2017. While we were already confident the WWDC 2019 dates would fall on June 3-7, we confirmed with a source that a large annual event of some kind will be taking place during that week at McEnery. Meanwhile, the second and fourth weeks of June are ruled out due to the already-announced O'Reilly Velocity conference on June 10-13 and the Sensors Expo on June 25-27 at McEnery. In our continued research, we discovered that San Jose requires permitting for large public events such as Apple's WWDC Bash, which took place at the Discovery Meadow park next to McEnery in 2018. Following that thread, we unearthed a 2019 events calendar from the City of San Jose's Office of Cultural Affairs that lists this year's WWDC Bash at Discovery Meadow on the evening of Thursday, June 6. The event is named "Team San Jose 2019 WWDC" and is organized by "Apple." An identical WWDC entry was listed in the Office of Cultural Affairs' 2018 events calendar for the actual WWDC 2018 Bash. Last February, MacRumors accurately revealed that WWDC 2018 would be held June 4-8. Apple officially announced
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Apple's Health Records Feature Will Be Available Soon to U.S. Veterans

Monday February 11, 2019 7:56 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced that its Health Records feature on iPhone will be available soon to military veterans across the United States. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, American veterans receiving care through the Veterans Health Administration will be able to view their aggregated health records directly in the Health app on their iPhone. Apple CEO Tim Cook:We have great admiration for veterans, and we're proud to bring a solution like Health Records on iPhone to the veteran community. It's truly an honor to contribute to the improved healthcare of America's heroes.Apple introduced the Health Records feature in iOS 11.3 in March 2018, allowing patients to view their medical records from multiple participating hospitals and clinics directly in the Health app on the iPhone, including allergies, vital signs, conditions, immunizations, lab results, medications, and procedures. More than 100 institutions in the U.S. support Apple Health Records, including Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. UC San Diego Health recently conducted a survey about Apple Health Records and found that 78 percent of patients were "satisfied with using the feature", according to the Journal of the American Medical
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Apple Forced to Add Notice About iPhone Slowdown Saga on Italian Homepage

Monday February 11, 2019 6:45 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, the Italian Competition Authority hit Apple with a 10 million euro fine over "dishonest commercial practices" related to an iPhone performance management system it introduced in iOS 10.2.1 without informing customers. The antitrust watchdog said the update was a form of planned obsolescence. As a result of the investigation, Apple has been forced to add a consumer protection notice about these "incorrect" practices on its Italian homepage. The notice, loosely translated below, was spotted by setteBIT on Twitter.Apple, Apple Distribution International, Apple Italia, and Apple Retail Italia have led consumers in possession of an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, or iPhone 6s Plus to install iOS 10 and subsequent updates without providing adequate information about the impact of that choice on the performance of the smartphones and without offering (in a timely manner) any means of restoring the original functionality of the devices in the event of a proven decrease in performance following the update (such as downgrading or a battery replacement at reasonable costs). This practice was assessed incorrect, pursuant to Articles 20, 21, 22, and 24 of Legislative Decree No. 206 of the Italian Consumer Code by the Italian Competition Authority.For those who need a refresher about the iPhone slowdown saga, read our lengthy FAQ. Here's a key excerpt:Why is Apple slowing down some older iPhone models? iPhones, like many other consumer electronics, are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which have a limited lifespan. As the battery in your iPhone ages, its
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2019 iPhones Said to Keep Lightning Connector With Same Old 5W Charger and EarPods in Box

Monday February 11, 2019 5:34 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While it was recently reported that Apple has at least considered switching to USB-C on the iPhone, Japanese blog Mac Otakara believes that 2019 models will stick with the Lightning connector as a cost-saving measure. Based on its conversations with various accessory manufacturers, the blog also predicts that 2019 iPhones will continue to be bundled with the same old 5W power adapter, forcing customers to spend extra if they want a faster charger like the 18W USB-C version that ships with the latest iPad Pro models. Likewise, the blog predicts that 2019 iPhones will continue to ship with a Lightning to USB-A cable and Lightning-based
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New iPads Expected in First Half of 2019, Including iPad Mini 5 With Similar Design as iPad Mini 4

Monday February 11, 2019 4:57 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is set to launch new iPad models in the first half of 2019, according to Taiwanese supply chain website DigiTimes. One of those new models is expected to be the so-called iPad mini 5, but anyone hoping for a major redesign should lower their expectations, as Japanese blog Mac Otakara reports that the tablet will have a similar design as the iPad mini 4. The information comes from the blog's discussions with accessory makers. Mac Otakara claims the iPad mini 5 will have identical dimensions as the iPad mini 4, including a thickness of 6.1mm, suggesting that the tablet will have the same 7.9-inch display if bezel size remains unchanged. The blog also expects the tablet to retain a Lightning connector, Touch ID, and 3.5mm headphone jack. One design change expected is the repositioning of the rear microphone to a top-center position in line with the sixth-generation iPad. The report claims it is unclear whether the iPad mini 5 will have an A10 Fusion chip akin to the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and sixth-generation iPad, or an A10X Fusion chip in line with 2017 iPad Pro models and the Apple TV 4K. It's also unclear if the iPad mini 5 will support the original Apple Pencil, but second-generation Apple Pencil support seems to be ruled
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Apple Sued Over Not Letting Customers Disable Two-Factor Authentication After Two Weeks

Saturday February 9, 2019 11:06 am PST by Joe Rossignol
New York resident Jay Brodsky has filed a frivolous class action lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company's so-called "coercive" policy of not letting customers disable two-factor authentication beyond a two-week grace period is both inconvenient and violates a variety of California laws. The complaint alleges that Brodsky "and millions of similarly situated consumers across the nation have been and continue to suffer harm" and "economic losses" as a result of Apple's "interference with the use of their personal devices and waste of their personal time in using additional time for simple logging in." In a support document, Apple says it prevents customers from turning off two-factor authentication after two weeks because "certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security":If you already use two-factor authentication, you can no longer turn it off. Certain features in the latest versions of iOS and macOS require this extra level of security, which is designed to protect your information. If you recently updated your account, you can unenroll for two weeks. Just open your enrollment confirmation email and click the link to return to your previous security settings. Keep in mind, this makes your account less secure and means that you can't use features that require higher security.The complaint is riddled with questionable allegations, however, including that Apple released a software update around September 2015 that enabled two-factor authentication on Brodsky's Apple ID without his knowledge or consent. Apple in
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Apple Expands Availability of Refurbished 2018 MacBook Air, Mac Mini to U.S. and Canada

Saturday February 9, 2019 9:49 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has begun selling certified refurbished 2018 MacBook Air and Mac mini models in the United States and Canada for the first time, following availability in several European countries starting Friday. In the United States, refurbished pricing starts at $1,019 for the base model MacBook Air, down from $1,199 brand new, and $679 for the base model Mac mini, down from $799 brand new. Various other custom configurations are available for each Mac with discounts up to 15 percent versus brand new prices. While the refurbished higher-end MacBook Air models may be worth considering, the base model is worth passing over, as authorized resellers such as Amazon and B&H are offering it brand new in box for $999 in the United States. Orders placed today are estimated for delivery by early next week. We recommend using Refurb Tracker to monitor inventory. Apple says certified refurbished MacBook Air and Mac mini models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged, with all manuals and cables included in the box. In our view, a refurbished Mac is virtually indistinguishable from a brand new one. They're also backed by Apple's standard one-year warranty. A refurbished Mac's warranty can be extended to three years from the refurbished purchase date with AppleCare+. (Thanks, Jason A!) Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon and B&H. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
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Apple Reportedly Advised Technicians to Push iPhone Upgrades to Customers With Out-of-Warranty Devices

Friday February 8, 2019 12:09 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Last month, Apple lowered its revenue guidance for the first quarter of its 2019 fiscal year by up to $9 billion due to fewer iPhone upgrades than it anticipated, primarily due to economic weakness in the Greater China region. A few months prior to the announcement, Apple began heavily promoting iPhone XR and iPhone XS trade-ins with a limited time promotion, prominent banner on its website, emails to older iPhone users, store signage, App Store editorials, and other uncharacteristically aggressive tactics aimed at boosting sales. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman previously reported that Apple reassigned some of its marketing staff to focus on bolstering sales of its latest iPhone lineup in late October, around the time the iPhone XR launched. The report cited an unnamed source who described the efforts as a "fire drill." In a report this week about Deirdre O'Brien succeeding Angela Ahrendts as Apple's retail chief, Gurman elaborated a bit more on Apple's tactics to promote its latest iPhones, claiming that the company advised its technicians to "push iPhone upgrades to consumers with out-of-warranty devices." Senior retail staff were also tasked with making sure other employees were suggesting upgrades, according to Gurman:In December, as Apple executives worried about demand, the company asked retail employees to promote the new iPhones using methods not seen before. Technicians were told to push iPhone upgrades to consumers with out-of-warranty devices. Senior sales staff had to make sure other retail workers were suggesting upgrades, and easels offering generous
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Apple Begins Selling Refurbished 2018 MacBook Air and Mac Mini Starting in Europe

Friday February 8, 2019 9:09 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today began selling refurbished 2018 models of the MacBook Air and Mac mini for the first time, although availability is currently limited to Europe. Listings for refurbished 2018 MacBook Air models have also gone live in the United States, but the purchase button does not work yet. In the UK, the base model MacBook Air is priced at £1,019, which is £180 off Apple's regular price of £1,199 brand new. The base model Mac mini is priced at £679, reflecting savings of £120 off £799 brand new. The refurbished MacBook Air models will start at $1,019 in the United States when they become available to order. That is a discount worth passing over, as authorized resellers such as Amazon and B&H are currently offering the 2018 MacBook Air brand new in box for $999, a savings of $200:Amazon: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / Space Gray Amazon: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / Silver B&H: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / Space Gray B&H: 1.6GHz Core i5 / 128GB SSD / 8GB RAM / SilverMac mini deals are less common, so refurbished models could be worth considering. Orders placed today are estimated for delivery by early next week in the United Kingdom. We recommend using Refurb Tracker to monitor inventory. Apple says certified refurbished MacBook Air and Mac mini models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged, with all manuals and cables included in the box. In our view, a refurbished Mac is virtually indistinguishable from a brand new one, and is also backed by Apple's standard one-year warranty. A refurbished Mac's warranty can
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Apple Shares New Memoji Ads Featuring Ariana Grande, Khalid, and Florida Georgia Line

Friday February 8, 2019 6:11 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared a trio of new Memoji ads on its YouTube channel featuring Ariana Grande, Khalid, and Florida Georgia Line. The videos highlight today's release of Grande's full album "Thank U, Next," yesterday's release of Khalid's single "Talk," and the upcoming release of Florida Georgia Line's country album "Can't Say I Ain't Country" on February 15. All of the songs and albums can be streamed with Apple Music. Grande and Florida Georgia Line are nominees for the 61st GRAMMY Awards, airing this Sunday on CBS at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Grande and fellow nominees Shawn Mendes and Kacey Musgraves are featured on Memoji billboards in Los Angeles.
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Texas Software Engineer Daven Morris Also Reported FaceTime Bug to Apple One Day Before it Made Headlines

Friday February 8, 2019 5:30 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In a support document outlining the security content of iOS 12.1.4, Apple credited both 14-year-old Grant Thompson of Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Arizona and Daven Morris of Arlington, Texas with reporting a major Group FaceTime bug to the company that allowed users to eavesdrop on others. Thompson and his mother are widely known for being the first people to discover and report the bug to Apple, over a week before it made headlines on January 28, but nothing was known about Morris until now. The Wall Street Journal today shared a few details about Morris, noting he is a 27-year-old software engineer who reported the bug to Apple on January 27, several days after the Thompsons but one day before it made headlines. He apparently discovered the bug a week earlier while planning a group trip with friends. Apple on Thursday said it will compensate the Thompson family for finding and reporting the bug and make an additional gift toward Grant Thompson's education. Apple hasn't disclosed the exact sums of the donations. It's unclear if Morris will also be compensated by the company for reporting the bug. In a statement issued to MacRumors, Apple apologized for the bug a second time and assured customers that it has been fixed in iOS 12.1.4, as has a previously unreported vulnerability in the Live Photos feature of FaceTime:Today's software update fixes the security bug in Group FaceTime. We again apologize to our customers and we thank them for their patience. In addition to addressing the bug that was reported, our team conducted a thorough security
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Future HomePod Could Feature 3D Hand Gestures and Face ID

Thursday February 7, 2019 11:45 am PST by Joe Rossignol
A recently published Apple patent application suggests that a future HomePod could feature support for 3D hand gestures, Face ID, and much more. While the patent application does not refer to the HomePod by name, it describes a voice-controlled assistant device such as a "countertop speaker" with various sensors and cameras that "gather hand gestures and other three-dimensional gesture input." This could include waving, clapping, and so forth. Interestingly, the HomePod could have LEDs woven into the fabric to provide visual feedback for the hand gestures. The LEDs could also be configured to display alphanumeric characters through the fabric that change depending on time of day. 3D hand gesture support on the HomePod could utilize technology Apple gained from its acquisition of PrimeSense in 2013. In 2016, for example, Apple filed a patent for hand gestures on the Mac such as push, up, and wave that could be used to perform basic app interactions like scrolling through a menu.Gestures described herein include focus gestures and unlock gestures. A focus gesture enables the user to engage (i.e., take control of) an inactive non-tactile 3D user interface. An unlock gesture enables the user to engage a locked non-tactile 3D user interface, as pressing a specific sequence of keys unlocks a locked cellular phone. In some embodiments, the non-tactile 3D user interface conveys visual feedback to the user performing the focus and the unlock gestures. Examples of unlock gestures include an "up" gesture (e.g., raising hand 30 a specified distance), a sequence of two
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Toyota Expanding CarPlay to 2020 Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and 4Runner

Thursday February 7, 2019 6:41 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Toyota today ahead of the Chicago Auto Show announced that its 2020 model year Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and 4Runner vehicles will feature CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa in the United States. CarPlay in 2020 Toyota Sequoia CarPlay will be a standard feature in each vehicle, but screen size will vary by trim. With the 2020 Tacoma, for example, the base SR trim will feature a 7-inch touchscreen while SR5 trims and higher as well as TRD Pro trims of the Tundra, Sequoia, and 4Runner will feature a larger 8-inch touchscreen. The press release doesn't specify whether the CarPlay implementation is wired or wireless, but it is presumably wired in line with its 2019 and newer Avalon, Corolla Hatchback, Camry, RAV4, Sienna, and C-HR. Toyota will offer wireless CarPlay in the 2020 Supra since it is based on a BMW platform. Last year, we published an in-depth review of how CarPlay performs in the 2019 Avalon and 2019 Corolla Hatchback. Toyota was one of the last major automakers to offer CarPlay, which provides convenient dashboard access to iPhone apps such as Phone, Messages, Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, Apple Music, and Spotify. These will be the first-ever Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and 4Runner models with factory-installed CarPlay. CarPlay availability in Toyota vehicles may vary outside of the United States. Pricing and availability were not disclosed. 2020 Volkswagen Passat in Europe In related news, Volkswagen this week announced that the 2020 Passat will be its first vehicle with wireless CarPlay, although the press release is for the European
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Apple Reportedly Shifts to In-House Modem Engineering Led by Johny Srouji

Thursday February 7, 2019 5:22 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has assembled an in-house modem engineering team led by its chipmaking chief Johny Srouji, according to Reuters. From the report:Apple Inc has moved its modem chip engineering effort into its in-house hardware technology group from its supply chain unit, two people familiar with the move told Reuters, a sign the tech company is looking to develop a key component of its iPhones after years of buying it from outside suppliers.The report claims Srouji, senior vice president of hardware technologies at Apple, took over the company's modem design efforts in January. The in-house shift provides further evidence that Apple may be planning to develop its own cellular modem for future iPhones, as previously reported. Apple currently sources iPhone modems from Intel after cutting its ties with Qualcomm amid a major legal battle between Apple and Qualcomm. Apple is expected to release its first 5G-enabled iPhone in 2020, but it's unclear if it will have an in-house chip ready by that time. If not, a previous report said Intel will supply Apple with 5G chips, but the iPhone maker is said to be "unhappy" with Intel's progress and may have to look elsewhere.
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Apple Store at Natick Collection in Greater Boston Reopens February 16

Wednesday February 6, 2019 12:17 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced that its retail store at the Natick Collection shopping mall in Natick, Massachusetts, near Boston, will reopen on Saturday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The store had been closed for renovations since May 2018. In line with other remodeled Apple Stores, this location should expand in size and feature a modernized design. Apple Natick Collection prior to renovations The reopening date was shared in the Apple Store app and highlighted by the Twitter account Storeteller. The date is not yet reflected on Apple.com. In neuem Glanz: Apple Natick Collection eröffnet wieder am Sa., 16. Februar. Der Standort im US-Bundesstaat Massachusetts war seit Mai 2018 aufgrund von Umbau- und Modernisierungsmaßnahmen vorübergehend geschlossen. — https://t.co/OFBnEGpBMS #AppleNatickCollection pic.twitter.com/IJcr2GKz15— Storeteller (@storetellee) February 6, 2019 Earlier this week, Apple announced that Angela Ahrendts will be stepping down as Apple's retail chief in April after five years in the role. She will be succeeded by 30-year Apple veteran Deirdre O'Brien, who has been promoted to Senior Vice President of People + Retail, expanding upon her HR responsibilities. Apple operates 506 retail stores around the
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Some Users Report Adobe Premiere Pro Issue Causing Blown Out MacBook Pro Speakers

Wednesday February 6, 2019 8:54 am PST by Joe Rossignol
There appears to be an issue with recent versions of Adobe Premiere Pro that can result in blown out MacBook Pro speakers. MacRumors reader Alvin Shen alerted us to multiple users on the Adobe support forums who report that Premiere Pro suddenly caused loud, distorted audio to play through their MacBook Pro speakers, resulting in permanent damage. In many cases, the issue arose when users were editing the audio settings of video clips. "I was using the Adobe Premiere 2019 Audio suite for background sound and while tweaking the settings it made a loud distorted noise that hurt even my ears," wrote one user. "After that my speakers are unusable." The discussion topic was posted in November, and there are replies from affected users through January, suggesting that the apparent bug is present in both versions 12.0.1 and 12.0.2 of Premiere Pro CC for Mac. It's unclear when the issue began, how many users are affected, or what the exact cause is. It appears Adobe advised at least one customer to try disabling the MacBook Pro's microphone in Premiere Pro by selecting No Input under Preferences > Audio Hardware > Default Input, but the issue persists for some users. Our tipster Shen took his MacBook Pro to the Genius Bar at an Apple Store in Canada and was provided with an over $600 repair quote for his 2018 15-inch MacBook Pro. The price is so high because Apple replaces the entire top case assembly containing the speakers, keyboard, trackpad, and battery. It's unclear if Adobe, Apple, or both companies are at fault. We've reached out to both Adobe and
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Apple Preemptively Sues 'Patent Troll' to Address Threats Over USB-Related Power Patents

Wednesday February 6, 2019 7:46 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple on Tuesday filed suit against Fundamental Innovation Systems International (FISI), preemptively asking a California court to declare that Apple has not infringed upon a number of USB power patents held by FISI. FISI, described by Apple as a patent assertion entity formed for the sole purpose of generating revenue through patent litigation, acquired a portfolio of charging-related patents from BlackBerry that it has asserted against several tech giants, including LG, Samsung, and Huawei, who are now listed as FISI licensees. Apple believes it could be sued next and is seeking a declaration of non-infringement in advance, according to the complaint:Defendants have claimed, through letters, claim charts, telephone calls and in-person meetings with Apple personnel in this District, that certain Apple products infringe the Patents-in-Suit and that Apple requires a license to the Patents-in-Suit. However, Apple's products do not infringe the Patents-in-Suit. This Court should not allow the threat of a future lawsuit to harm and cause uncertainty to Apple's business.The former BlackBerry patents generally relate to USB-based charging protocols, systems, and methods dating back to the early 2000s. Apple believes none of its products violate the patents, including its power adapters. One of Apple's consistent defenses throughout its complaint is that its devices and power adapters rely on its proprietary Lightning connector rather than adhering to the USB 2.0 protocols described in the patents. Apple has demanded a jury trial in the U.S. District Court of
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Apple Maps Launches Revamped Data Collection Website

Wednesday February 6, 2019 6:12 am PST by Joe Rossignol
As part of its efforts to rebuild Apple Maps "from the ground up," Apple has been collecting street-level data with LiDAR-equipped vehicles for over three years. Apple also deployed employees wearing LiDAR-equipped backpacks to collect pedestrian-based data starting in California late last year. As these efforts expand around the world, Apple recently transitioned to a revamped Apple Maps image collection website with a list of locations it will be surveying both in vehicles and on foot in the upcoming months. The page reveals a few new pieces of information, including that pedestrian-based data collection has expanded to Hawaii and Nevada through February. Vehicle-based data collection will also be expanding to the tiny European country of Andorra, landlocked between France and Spain, in April 2019. The new page, which replaces the previous Apple Maps vehicles list, also indicates that Apple will "periodically revisit some locations to gather new data in an effort to maintain a high-quality, up-to-date map." Apple Maps vehicles have been collecting mapping data in the United States since 2015, with over 45 states at least partially surveyed to date. The vehicles have also surveyed parts of Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, according to Apple. Back in June 2018, Apple said the revamped mapping data would roll out section by section across the rest of the United States over the following year. The improvements first rolled out in Northern California in iOS 12 and have extended to Hawaii and
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Apple Launches Annual 'Back to School' Promotion in Japan, Offers Free Gift Cards With Select Macs, iPad Pros

Tuesday February 5, 2019 8:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple has launched its annual Back to School promotion in Japan this week, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara. While the promotion typically offers free Beats headphones in the United States and Europe, the Japanese edition offers students free Apple Store gift cards valued up to ¥18,000 or roughly $165 with the purchase of select Mac and iPad Pro models. Apple is also offering qualifying students 20 percent off AppleCare+ coverage for select Mac and iPad Pro models. The promotion runs February 6 through April 3
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Apple Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Erroneous 'This Accessory May Not Be Supported' Alerts

Tuesday February 5, 2019 7:14 am PST by Joe Rossignol
California resident Monica Emerson has filed a class action lawsuit against Apple this week, accusing the company of releasing iOS updates which were "specifically designed and programmed to reject, starting on November of 2016, old iPhone chargers from properly charging the iPhones." Image Credit: iGeeksBlog The complaint, obtained by MacRumors, alleges that Emerson bought an iPhone 7 in September 2016 and charged the device with Apple's power adapter included in the box without issue until around October 2017, when it stopped working alongside the alert "this accessory may not be supported."In or around October 2017, Plaintiff attempted to use her Apple Charger and received a message that read "This accessory may not be supported." Thus, requiring that people buy a new charger for her iPhone. Upon learning this, Plaintiff felt ripped off, cheated, and violated by Defendant.The alert is part of Apple's system that aims to protect iOS devices against potentially dangerous aftermarket accessories. Emerson believes the alert forced her and thousands of other customers in her situation to buy new chargers, with total claims exceeding $5 million. As a result, she is suing Apple for damages, accusing the company of false advertising, unfair business practices, fraud, and other violations of California laws. Emerson supposedly always used Apple's first-party charger, but it's unclear whether it was connected to the iPhone with an Apple-certified Lightning to USB cable under the Made for iPhone program. If she was using an Apple power adapter with an uncertified cable,
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