Off yer bike: Apple warns motorcycles could shake iPhone cameras out of focus forever
- Reference: 1631516291
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/09/13/iphone_motorcycle_vibration_warning/
- Source link:
"The advanced camera systems in some iPhone models include technology like optical image stabilization (OIS) and closed-loop autofocus (AF) to help you capture great photos even in difficult conditions," states an Apple support article posted on September 10th.
While OIS and closed-loop AF are "designed for durability", Apple warns: "with many consumer electronics that include systems like OIS, long-term direct exposure to high-amplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges may degrade the performance of these systems and lead to reduced image quality for photos and videos."
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The company therefore "avoid exposing your iPhone to extended high-amplitude vibrations."
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No, that is not an excuse to avoid mowing the lawn or doing some odd jobs with power tools next weekend: Apple identifies only certain two-wheelers as the sort of thing you need to worry about.
"It is not recommended to attach your iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume engines due to the amplitude of the vibration in certain frequency ranges that they generate," the article states. Those of you astride mopeds and scooters are exposed, too, but Apple reckons your iPhone will be fine when used with a vibration-dampening mount.
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"It is also recommended to avoid regular use for prolonged periods to further lessen the risk of damage," the article states.
[6]Sort-of Epic win as judge kills Apple ban on apps linking to outside payment systems
[7]Apple stalls CSAM auto-scan on devices after 'feedback' from everyone on Earth
[8]Smoking smartphone sparks emergency evacuation of Alaska Airlines jet, two taken to hospital
Apple names devices all the way back to 2014's iPhone 6 as susceptible to vibrations.
But the company appears to be offering too little advice, too late – this [9]thread on iFixit features iPhone owners reporting that under one year's worth of use on motorcycles has proven disastrous for cameras. Some posters mention problems after using iPhones on mountain bikes, which have no engine to produce high-amplitude vibrations but do endure all sorts of other indignities. The thread includes tales of Apple Store staff replacing iPhones under warranty when the problem manifests, and of being well and truly aware that two-wheelers and iPhones don't mix. ®
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[1] https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212803
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YT8hYyLQ5ELAQ1IgWB6dlgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
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[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YT8hYyLQ5ELAQ1IgWB6dlgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YT8hYyLQ5ELAQ1IgWB6dlgAAAAI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/10/apple_epic_judgement/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/03/apple_scanning_pause/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/08/24/alaska_smartphone_fire/
[9] https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/594197/Will+shaking+damage+the+image+stabilization
[10] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: You're holding it wrong!
Your damping ratio is wrong, Shirley.
Apple will probably be coming out with new approved mounts, only $999.99 ...
Re: You're holding it wrong!
Or you could just, um, leave it in your pocket?
I guess it's being used as a navigation aid strapped to the handlebars?
Re: You're holding it wrong!
Motorcycles are known for their handling characteristics. In the case of models of motorcycles which experienced problems, maybe it's not so much the way the bike vibrated, but the way it rounded corners.
Re: You're holding it wrong!
FTFY: You're riding it wrong.
Re: You're holding it wrong!
Actually you're shaking it wrong.
What did you expect?
You strap your phone to a giant vibrator & wonder why it gets all squirrely? =-)p
In all seriousness, it's not surprising that getting strapped to the handlebars of your (mountain/motor) bike causes the camera to fail. It's designed to handle the occaisional mild quirks of a Human, not the constant & violent actions of the bike. Your mountain bike may not have the constant rumble of an engine, but then your motor bike probably doesn't get taken for off road BMX style runs through countryside that slams the phone with a thousand times the force of your typical pothole. Either way, just don't strap your tool to the handlebars - the vibrations might be nice in theory, but in practice they can really shake things up.
Sorry for all the bad puns, I'm trying to type this with the song "Good Vibrations" scampering through my head. =-)p
Re: What did you expect?
Whilst I completely agree that this would seam to be obvious it doesn't help that Apple use navigation apps as part of their marketing for their fruity phones.
If you are going to suggest a 'lifestyle' which involves 2 wheels, then be sure that your product can handle it...
Re: What did you expect?
The article isn't clear, whether it is using the camera on the phone, whilst mounted on the bike, or just mounting the phone on the bike (E.g. navigation)...
Re: What did you expect?
Except that plenty of other brands of phone have absolutely no problems with being used on a bike.
Re: What did you expect?
they have not been reported and compared? I would love to see the full list - maybe a comparison of failure rates amongst all the news phones that have cameras with sophisticated wiggly bits?
EIS
I would have thought for something like a smart phone that is handled much more than a conventional camera, electronic image stabilisation would have been the better option, Gopro does it it and look how much abuse they withstand.
Bikes, if you aren't riding them wrong, you are buying them wrong.
My chinese handset manages well the vibrations of my good ol' Yamaha 600 XT. And in term of vibrations, there are quite some with a big mono-cylinder.
I guess it's because it costs 5 times less than an iPhone?
Five times more? Do you mean one fifth as much?
Time for a maths nazi icon.
5 times fewer - Stannis Baratheon
I had an issue with my Iphone 10 where the camera lost focus, I had been using it with a Quadlock mount on my motorcycle for a year
To my surprise Apple repaired the phone for free even though out of warranty
Quadlock then released an updated dampening mount for motorcycles :)
My Honor 9 mounted to the handlebars of my 4 cylinder Kawasakis seems fine after many thousands of miles of use. It does sit in a rubber case and the handlebar mount is also damped, but my hands also hold those handlebars and I can't feel any vibrations. Perhaps this is mostly aimed at the big V-twin riding community who will be wanting to use their iPhones to get selfies of themselves looking tough in their Pirate uniform?
Garmin recognised motorcycle vibration as a problem with their sat-nav units a long, long time ago which is why they have a separate range of hardened devices for motorcycle use (Tom Tom were several years later to the partly).
As Tim Cook looks to enter the adult film industry with AppleTV...
Sorry, no. We'd be creating the wrong type of buzz around the new iPhone...
But why?
Why isn't the AF and OIS LOCKED when the camera is not in use? Most "full size" camera lenses I know do this, why doesn't the phone?
The obvious answer...
... Is to get one of those older motorbikes with a creamy smooth straight six.
Yes, those exist
Steven R
It Just Works
That is all
For a moment I thought this was the «WHO, ME?»
another excuse
to not buy a Harley ? Mines the one with the 1970s BMW workshop manual falling out of pocket and the Kwaka triple 2 stroke stains
While a lack or durability is regrettable, I can well understand why someone on an MTB can do a better job of borking the camera than someone on a motorcycle. My eyes feel the same way after some descents.
Translation.
"designed for durability"
Actually means:
"we used the cheapest components that should outlast the warranty period"
You're holding it wrong!
Enough said.