To prevent the iPhone 12 from being banned in France, Apple is reportedly working to release a software update that is said to bring down the radiation levels to accommodate the request of French regulators. Before being officially released back in 2020, it was reported that Apple knew about this problem and instructed its employees to stay quiet about the whole thing. It does not appear that there will be any legal repercussions against the California-based giant this time.

  • ripcord@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Soo… France determined that levels were higher than regulations allowed and asked Apple to fix it. And the latest news is that Apple is looking into fixing it.

    What a story!

    • Otter@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Yup

      People said it in the other threads, but this is just boring regulatory processes at work. It’s just a story because popscience type outlets ran with the word radiation

  • Rhaedas@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    French users: “After the patch I can’t seem to keep as strong a signal as before.”

    Apple: “…”

    • Hawk@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      I do wonder, why would France accept a software patch? The device is still capable of going over the limits and it could easily be reverted later?

      Seems like an odd solution.

      • root@precious.net
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        1 year ago

        Software radios can do many things that are against the rules, the governing bodies only care about how they’re actually being used for the most part.

        Also, the measurements are over time. It’s possible to exceed the total allowed in short bursts.

      • ultratiem@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        It has the potential but never will thanks to the software update. What’s the struggle here!?

  • ShadowCatEXE@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    We will issue a software update for users in France…

    So this applies to only devices sold in France? I’d love to know what changes to the software are being made to deal with radiation.

    • MrMusAddict@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The word “radiation” has unfortunately been commandeered by idiots to mean “TOXIC MAGIC AIR”. Lightbulbs radiate (produce light).

      In this case they’re 100% just reducing the gain on the phone’s signal strength. No harm prevented. Purely regulatory.

      • InvertedParallax@lemm.ee
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        1 year ago

        So, I happen to know about a huge, unshielded nuclear reactor near a major population center.

        There are millions of documented cases of deadly cancer directly caused by its high energy emissions, even kids are often exposed to hazardous levels.

        It’s called the sun.

    • ultratiem@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Yes it’s a special update for that region alone. Apple does this quite often when a country requires special treatment. It rarely makes the news because well it’s not really news.

      Probably just dial down the power emitted like some high end routers let you do in settings. It’ll make the cell service weaker but I don’t think Apple cares much for a device they no longer sell or manufacture anymore.

    • Earthwormjim91@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Probably going to throttle it a bit. The only issue is that the power level of the radios in the phone make it a little too warm when you have it to your face.

  • NegativeLookBehind@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    The radiation is the equivalent of a chest x ray. Not great, not terrible.

    Whoever downvotes really needs to watch Chernobyl on HBO.