Apple has once again upped its game with macOS Sonoma by introducing a groundbreaking feature that involves liquid detection analysis for USB-C ports on Mac computers. This innovation not only promises to save Apple from warranty fraud but also hints at the company’s ongoing commitment to improving user experiences and protecting its products.
In a twist of legal fate, Apple found itself in hot water back in 2010 over its use of moisture indicators on iPhones. These indicators were employed to determine whether a user’s claim that they hadn’t exposed their device to water was truthful or not. The lawsuit contended that these indicators were not entirely accurate, leading to Apple’s loss in court and a hefty $53 million settlement.
Learning from this experience, Apple filed a patent application in 2012 to enhance its water sensors. The patent application explicitly stated that it was addressing the issue of customers frequently receiving product replacements for damages not covered under warranty.
One of the reasons behind this problem was the inconsistency in Apple Store staff’s qualifications and resources to determine if a device had water damage. As a result, Apple set out to find a more efficient solution.
Fast forward to 2016, Apple expanded this idea to iPhones, allowing them to detect liquid in the Lightning port. Moreover, it incorporated a user-friendly feature, starting with iOS 10, that warned the user when liquid was detected. This warning served as a prompt for users to turn off their iPhones promptly, ideally preventing irreversible water damage.
Now, as reported by 9to5mac, macOS Sonoma comes with background liquid detection analysis that focuses on checking USB-C ports for any signs of liquid. While Apple has not yet integrated this as a warning system for users to unplug their potentially water-damaged devices, the purpose of this feature remains undisclosed.
Considering Apple’s consistent efforts and the wording of its warranties, it’s reasonable to assume that water-damaged devices pose a significant challenge for the company. The addition of this “Liquid Detection and Corrosion Mitigation Daemon” to macOS Sonoma suggests that Apple is actively seeking more efficient ways to detect liquid damage.
However, it’s crucial to note that this new feature is just one of the methods Apple uses to detect water damage. The primary method involves Liquid Contact Indicators (LCI), which change color when exposed to liquids and are employed across Mac computers and iPhones.
