Apple recently issued a statement advising users of its iPhone 3G and 3GS to operate their cell phones in environments with certain temperatures. Many web-sites considered this as a warning about potential overheating problems that the latest iPhone may have. However, it looks to be more like a reminder as Apple’s gadgets have never been compatible with hot or cold weather.

The manufacturer of iPhone handsets advices end-users to operate their mobile phones in environments where the temperature is between 0º and 35ºC (32º to 95ºF) since low- or high-temperature conditions might temporarily shorten battery life or cause the device to temporarily stop working properly. In fact, the company advices users of iPod personal digital media players to use their devices in the very same environments as well, obviously, for the same reasons.

The symptoms of iPhone’s overheating that Apple descibes are rather obvious: the device stops charging, display dims, cellular signal is weak or the message “iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it” is displayed. Symptoms with the iPod should be generally similar.

In fact, Apple iPod players and Apple iPhone handsets have always had rather strict thermal limitations, unlike any other devices. As a result, Apple has never welcome usage of the iPod at the beach on a hot summer day. Obviously, keeping iPhone/iPod inside pockets of tight clothes may also cause the device to malfunction.

It is unclear why Apple decided to issue the document just days after massive amount of people bought its latest iPhone 3GS content: the vast majority of cosumers never check support web-sites when their devices work fine. Perhaps, there is no smoke without fire and iPhone 3G and 3GS are actually more vulnerable to overheatings than the first-gen iPhone as well as various iPods?

Tags: Apple, iPod, iPhone