A lawsuit filed in a federal court in Oakland, California, is seeking unspecified damages—and class action status—claiming that Apple’s iPad tablet devices overheat too easily in the sun, causing them to shut down. The filing (PDF) accuses Apple of fraud, claiming the iPad does not “live up to the reasonable consumer’s expectations created by Apple,” can can shut down after just a few minutes of use in direct sunlight.
“The iPad overheats so quickly under common weather conditions that it does not function for prolonged use outdoors, or in many other warm conditions,” the filing reads.
Most technology enthusiasts know that mixing electronic devices with direct sunlight is a recipe for failure—even, sometimes, when those devices are “ruggedized” and designed with extreme temperatures in mind. That said, several media reports have noted that the iPad shuts down then it gets too warm.
Apple has not commented on the suit; however, the company lists the operational temperature range for the iPad as from 32–95°F (0–35°C). It wouldn’t be unusual for a device in direct sunlight to reach or exceed those temperatures, even if the ambient air temperature were lower.
