Will Overheating Cause an iPhone 3GS Recall?

Many consumers are used to seeing recalls affect certain aspects of their lives - like toys and cars - but a possible and unexpected flaw in the new iPhone 3GS is stirring whispers of an Apple recall for the personal gadget.  Is this possible, and if it is, does the overheating problem really merit a recall?

Even users who haven't seen their iPhones spontaneously combust have noted that during the use of certain aspects of the gadget's functions, the back of their 3GS seems to get warm.  In particular, the Global Positioning System (GPS) feature over a wireless 3G system seems to heat the iPhones up.  Of course, a little warmth never hurt anybody, but some users have complained that the overheating isn't just a matter of normal electronic warmth, but outright steam-out-of-the-ears heat.

According to Melissa J. Perenson of PC World, "And at some point, I became aware the handset had become very hot. Very, very hot -- not just on the back, but the entire length of the front face, too...toasty doesn't even describe how surprisingly hot it got."

Believes in the iPhone might be quick to point out that any electronic device will get warm through use.  Interestingly, however, some users have reported that the same spots in the 3GS have been getting warm as the spots in the 3G that showed similar effects.  This seems curious, given that Apple has claimed a reconfiguration between the two models of iPhone.

Apple's potential decision to recall the iPhone might be seen as a temporary victory for competitors like the Palm Pre, who have already made a dent significant enough to encourage Apple's new releases of gadgets like the iPhone 3GS.  So far, no recalls have been made, but Apple has released some support pages on its own help site that address the overheating in both the 3G and the 3GS.

With users going so far as to claim the overheating is even causing discoloration, a recall may be necessary if the devices get worse.  If you're an iPhone user with a 3G or a 3GS, make sure you keep a close eye on your iPhone and use it with a cautious hand - at least for now.