Apple’s Battery Issue and iOS 10.2.1 Software

Name Tutor Course Date Apple’s Battery Issue and iOS 10.2.1 Software Introduction Apple Inc. is primarily known for its production of software products, which include iOS and MacOS, as well as hardware products such as Apple TV, smartphones, Mac personal computers, and watches. The technology giant has dominated the smartphone industry with a 50% global market share (Fuscaldo). More than a year ago, the company released iOS 10.2.1 software as an upgrade from the previous version. Recently, the company has received complaints from customers who claim that the performance of their iPhone is slower in comparison to before the update. The introduction of iOS 10.2.1 software by Apple Inc. was intended to avoid phone shutdowns by optimizing power management during high work loads. However, although most customers are complaining about the matter, the initiative by the company to slow down the smartphones will eventually be of great benefit to the company and users as well. The Problem Close to a year and a half ago, Apple Inc. launched a software that would aid in power management for iPhones. The strategy was implemented after realizing that the lithium-ion batteries tend to diminish in their ability to store power after frequent usage and charging. Apart from regular charging of lithium-ion batteries, the continuous use of smartphones can quicken the aging process of cells. Old iPhone batteries tend to lose their ability to hold charge and this can lead to random phone shutdowns, especially on low charge (Vanian). To resolve this issue, Apple decided to release the iOS 10.2.1 software, which would help to manage the battery performance through optimizing power management. Consequently, the software slows down the phone’s performance in order to save on battery charge. However, the company failed to communicate this setback to their customers and eventually, it led to distress among customers. The devices which are affected by the unexpected shutdowns include iPhone 6, iPhone SE, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. The issue of fast battery drainage in smartphones is standard across the entire smartphone industry. Apart from Apple, Samsung has also been receiving complaints from customers regarding the fast draining batteries on their smartphones, including the Samsung S7. However, most companies have advised their customers to disable applications on their phones to help manage battery use. Apple on the other hand has made a smart move by developing a software that controls battery use for the customers automatically. The pros and cons of the software are discussed in detail below. Advantages of the Software to the Customer Saves on Cost of Battery Replacement As stated, Apple Inc. developed the software to boost power management. Optimum power management increases the life of the battery since the software reduces the performance of specific applications that lead to quick battery draining. In turn, the battery serves longer than intended, saving the customer the cost of replacing the batteries after a short period. The cost of battery replacement for the Apple phone is $79. Since most cells have a lifespan of close to one year, it would mean that the customer would need to spend $79 yearly on battery replacement. Therefore, through the introduc...