Authorities 'Alarmed' By Fake Ad Calling For Users To Charge iPhone In The Microwave
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Police and fire officials are warning the public about a fake advertisement floating around the Internet that claims microwaving your iPhone will charge it faster.
Hailed as "the next big thing", the ad for the new iOS 8 "Wave" update promises to allow users to "quickly charge your device's battery using any standard household microwave."
The ad - which mimics Apple's signature font and graphics - goes on to encourage users to "charge" the phone for 60 seconds at 700 watts or 70 seconds at 800 watts. The ad also warns users not to "Wave charge" their phone for more than 300 seconds - or five minutes total.
A message posted on the Los Angeles Police Department's official Twitter page late Tuesday read: "This #Wave capability is a #hoax. Don't be fooled into microwaving your #iPhone6."
Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesman Brian Humphrey told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO even though most iPhone owners are unlikely to follow through, those who fall victim to the hoax could cause significant damage.
Authorities: No, You Can't Charge Your iPhone In The Microwave
"We were alarmed at this notion, because of course any metal inside of a microwave oven can lead to a fire and potentially an explosion," said Humphrey. "So we're asking people to read the instructions on their smartphone device and realize there's no shortcut."
The LAFD receives about a dozen calls every week involving microwave fires, usually started by people cooking popcorn without reading instructions or placing metal items into a microwave oven, Humphrey added.
The highly anticipated iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus - which went on sale last Friday - start at $200 with a two-year service contract agreement.
