Apple has a message for iPhone users with high-powered motorcycles, mopeds and scooters – don’t connect your phone to it. Rate your camera.
In a supporting document with only long and strangely specific title published Friday—That was called “Exposure to vibrations, such as those generated by high-powered motorcycle engines, can affect iPhone cameras,” in case you were wondering –Apple said connecting your iPhone to these vehicles can expose them toamplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges. Consequently, this can lead to degradation of the phone’s optical image stabilization (OIS) and closed-loop autofocus systems over time.
Given that these are the systems that help your iPhone take great pictures, even if you move accidentally and help counteract the effects of gravity and vibration, it’s not a good idea to clutter them up. Doing so will reduce the quality of your photos and videos. All iPhones that start with the iPhone 6 Plus have an OIS or closed-loop autofocus system.
Technically speaking, the OIS system contains a gyroscope that reduces image movement and blur. When moving, the camera lens moves according to the angle of the gyroscope, which guarantees you take a good photo. Meanwhile, the closed-loop autofocus system uses on-board magnetic sensors to “measure the effects of gravity and vibration and determine the position of the target so that the compensation movement can be precisely adjusted, “according to Apple.
“The iPhone’s AO and CCTV systems are designed for durability,” the company explained. “However, as is the case with many consumer electronics products that include systems such as OIS, long-term direct exposure to high-amplitude vibrations within certain frequency ranges can degrade the performance of these systems and lead to at reduced image quality for photos and videos. It is recommended to avoid exposing your iPhone to high-amplitude vibrations. “
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Some of you may be wondering if this means you can’t carry your iPhone if you’re riding a motorcycle. Let’s be clear, you can, but Apple just prefers to avoid putting it in certain places.
“Motors of motorcycles of big power or of big volume generate intense vibrations of high amplitude, that transmit by the chassis and the handlebar. It is not recommended to connect the iPhone to motorcycles with high-power or high-volume motors due to the amplitude of the vibration in certain frequency ranges they generate, ”the supporting document says.
If you’re more of a moped or scooter, Apple recommends that you use a vibration damping mount to reduce the risk of damage to your iPhone and OIS and closed-loop autofocus systems. Even in this case, the company says you shouldn’t connect your iPhone to these vehicles regularly.