topic Re: iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet in Community Chat

iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet

shesallthat — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 20:38:19 GMT

Apple users fooled into charging iPhones in microwaves

This is the perfect example of 'Don't believe everything you read on the internet'. Trolls at online imageboard 4chan spread a hoax on the internet, saying that the iOS 8 update includes a feature that allows an iPhone's battery to be charged when put in a household microwave.

The claim came in the form of an advertisement that looked quite like an Apple ad, proclaiming that Wave technology "allows your device to be charged wirelessly through microwave frequencies." It also warns users that they should not Wave-charge their devices for more than 300 seconds.

Below is the image spread by 4chan users:

Many iPhone owners (including several who had bought iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus over the weekend) fell for the prank, ending up with a smartphone that was burnt and beyond repair.

The hoax was on Twitter with the hashtag #AppleWave.

Here are the reactions of a dozen people who microwaved their iPhones:

I tried using the new IOS 8 feature WAVE where you can charge your phone with a microwave, does not work @Apple

Re: iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet

pickleslarue — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 20:45:59 GMT

First you have people reefing on and bending the you-know-what out of their phones because some guy on the Internet and now this. Almost enough to feel sorry for Apple. I thought iFans were supposed to be smarter than the rest of us.

Re: iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet

brii — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 20:46:22 GMT

People are really gullible, I guess.

Re: iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet

missy1 — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 20:48:35 GMT

Re: iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet

dooBdoo — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 22:15:33 GMT

I've been reading some of the articles, haven't found out how many people actually did fall for the hoax ... it certainly illustrates: "Just because it's on the internet doesn't mean it's true."

And it begs the question: Why don't people do actual research before believing what they read online?

Re: iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet

Pqfan — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 22:18:38 GMT

People fell for this!?

Re: iOS 8 'wave charge' hoax hits the internet

dooBdoo — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 22:36:35 GMT

On 9/27/2014 Pqfan said:
People fell for this!?

It appears some did, not sure if there's a report of how many.

Maybe the same people who get their healthcare advice on the internet ...