Fake and Genuine

Waterproofing of the iPhone

When iOS 7 was released, a hoax ad shared on social

networking sites tricked iPhone users into thinking the latest

software upgrade made the smartphone waterproof.

Reinforced by a convincing spoof advert that mimicked

Apple’s marketing material, the misleading rumor circulated

on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites.

THE HOAX FEATURES

The hoax ad claimed that the latest software upgrade included a “smart-switch” that

automatically protects the iPhone’s “delicate circuitry… It will shut off the phone’s power supply

and corresponding components to prevent any damage.”

It also claimed that the waterproofing was “covered by Apple’s warranty policy.”

THE REAL FEATURES

Many users want and need a waterproof iPhone, and

Apple recently added water protection to AppleCare+.

With the protection in place, users receive one year of

hardware repair coverage through its limited warranty

and up to 90 days of complimentary support when the

phone becomes waterlogged.

As a lot of people use the iPhone nearly anywhere and anyhow, a compelling argument can be

made to purchase the protection. Most users, however, prefer an alternative to Applecare+ in

the form of an everyday case that can withstand water and other elements. With the market in

waterproof cases growing considerably due to new entries each year, users have many options

when it comes to waterproofing the phone.

Despite suffering from frustrating download delays, the iOS 7 upgrade

saw enormous demand that doubled both UK and German Internet

traffic. It was also estimated to have been downloaded 100,000,000

times within 12 hours of release, due in part to the hoax AD.

SOURCE

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/26/waterproof-iphone-ad-hoax-tricked-users-into-

destroying-their-handsets

http://gigaom.com/2013/10/18/ios-7-wont-waterproof-your-iphone-but-these-cases-will/

http://store.apple.com/us/product/S4575LL/A/applecare-for-iphone

http://www.outdoortechnology.com/Shop/Cases/