Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/24/iphone_survives_plunge_from_plane/
iPhone 4 SURVIVES plunge from plane
Geeeerrrronimo...
Posted in Phones, 24th March 2011 11:44 GMT
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The iPhone 4 is indestructible. There, I said it.
OK, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but if one can survive a 1000-foot drop from an aircraft without a parachute, then it certainly takes the notion of rugged to a whole new level.
US Air Force Combat Controller Ron Walker, who works as a skydiving Jump Master, told website iLounge [1] how, while airborne, he leant out of the aircraft door to look for landmarks. His iPhone slipped out of his pocket and plunged Earthward.
He thought that was the end. Bye-bye, mobile.
The super phone itself
However, after sharing the story with colleagues, he was advised to try the Find my iPhone app [2] to see if he could locate the shattered carcass - at least to try and recover any important contact data. It turns out the phone was a couple miles away in a woodland area.
Within an hour, Walker recovered his phone and was shocked to find it in full working order without even a scratch or a smidgin of dirt. According to the professional parachutist, the handset was protected only by a Griffin Motif TPU case and an aftermarket metal backing, although he reckons foliage and pine needles may have been the real cause for the phone's survival.
OK, so it's not a superman cell, and yes it can be destroyed - just look at what artist Michael Tompert [3] does with his Apple products - but it is impressive nevertheless. Say what you will about Apple, but it's hard to break its appeal - and its mobiles, apparently. ®