Apple admits iPhone 3GS heat problems

Apple has posted a special iPhone 3GS and 3G temperature warning on its official support pages.

The Apple iPhone support page, "Keeping iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS within acceptable operating temperatures", states:

"Operate iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a place where the temperature is between 0 and 35 C (32 to 95 F).

"Low- or high-temperature conditions might temporarily shorten battery life or cause the device to temporarily stop working properly.

"Store iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a place where the temperature is between -20 and 45 C (-4 to 113 F).

"Don't leave the device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range.If the interior temperature of the device exceeds normal operating temperatures, you may experience the following as it attempts to regulate its temperature:

• The device stops charging
• Display dims
• Weak cellular signal
• Temperature warning screen appears with the message "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it" (see image above)"

Reports started last appearing last week that the new iPhone 3GS could be suffering from over-heating problems - although one respondent was keeping his iPhone under his pillow when he slept.

Apple's support document gives some credence to these reports, although whether it's an iPhone problem or general smartphone/portable device issue remains to be seen.

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