Apple Facing Problems over "Exploding Phones" in France

"Exploding iPhones" are causing some problems for Apple, with at least six cases of problems coming out of France yesterday. An official inquiry has been launched and watchdog groups are asking that Apple fess up to any risks that may be linked to the phone. Yesterday, an 80-year-old man from Paris’s suburbs noted that his iPhone screen cracked in his hands, just one day after another Parisian claimed that a shattering screen damaged his eye. In total, ten French owners of the iPhone have noted that their screens have exploded or cracked, all apparently without explanation.

Apple has already been accused of trying to keep quite the 15 cases of iPods heating up and bursting into flames in the U.S. and the UK. Though none of the most recent incidents have caused any serious injuries, Apple is on the hot seat now, and is being forced to defend the safety of some of its most popular products. Thus far, Apples has sold 26 million iPhones and 200 million iPods, so the possibility of recalls could be quite expensive.

Said Alan Hely, the head of communications at Apple Europe, "We are aware of these reports and we are waiting to receive the iPhones from the customers. Until we have the full details, we don’t have anything further to add." Regardless of what Apple does or does not have to add, France’s consumer fraud watchdog group DGCCRF is looking into the matter. Said a spokesman for the group, "An investigation is under way. We have been alerted to the problem and we are looking into it closely."