Calls for investigation.
An Australian surf instructor has alleged that his iPhone 7 ignited and set ablaze the car he had left it in while he taught a surfing lesson. This has initiated an investigation by Apple and follows the recent Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recall.
Mat Jones had bought the smartphone only one week earlier and claims he had not dropped the device or used a foreign charger, according to news reports.
Smartphones and other devices with lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to fires in extreme conditions and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission will be launching a study of the risks.
Apple has also filed a federal lawsuit against New Jersey company, Mobile Star, for counterfeit products being sold on Amazon. Apple chargers and cables have been labelled as genuine on Amazon.com but almost 90% are fake.
Mobile Star imprinted Apple logos on cables and chargers that pose a significant risk of overheating, fire, and electrical shock, according to Apple.