OzHub, the Macquarie Telecom-led cloud computing alliance, has come down firmly on the side of Optus over the copyright controversy surrounding Optus TV Now, warning that any moves to change the law "risk branding Australia a global luddite state."
A damning report by Greenpeace and the threat of a lawsuit by an environmental health organization over hazardous chemicals found in the iPhone may be enough to turn Apple and iPhone users green with illness rather than environmental friendliness. The report threatens to raise the question: is it cooler to be green or have an iPhone?
According to the Greenpeace report "Missed call:
the iPhone's hazardous chemicals", tests have revealed that the iPhone
simply does not match Apple's recent rhetoric on being green,
containing toxic brominated compounds in the form of brominated flame
retardants (BFRs)) and hazardous polyvinyl chloride (PVC). What's more
the iPhone's much maligned soldered-in battery presents a recycling
issue.
Greenpeace tests detected the rogue chemicals in the iPhone antenna and
the plastic coating of earphone cables. According to Greenpeace
scientist Dr David Santillo, two of the phthalate plasticisers found at
high levels in the headphone cable are banned from use in toys and
childcare articles in Europe because of their long-recognized ability
to interfere with sexual development in mammals.
In addition to identifying the hazardous chemicals in iPhone, the
Greenpeace report is especialling scathing in its criticism of Apple
saying that contrary to the company's claim of being an environmental
leader, it is behind other cellphone manufacturers, including Nokia,
Motorola and Sony Ericsson in environmental issues. According to
Greenpeace, Nokia is totally PVC free, Motorola and Sony Ericsson have
products on the market with BFR free components, and all three
manufacturers have identified further toxic chemicals that they intend
to remove voluntarily.
What will be particularly grating for Apple, however, is the singling
out iPhone's non-removable battery by Greenpeace as an environmental
problem. According to Greenpeace, the iPhone's non-removable battery
adds to the burden of recycling or disposal by making separation
difficult.
Apple has previously been criticised for not enabling users to remove
and replace their own iPhone batteries as is the case with other
cellphones. However, this is the first time it has been identified as a
green issue. The result could present a potential design dilemma for
Apple.
Apple was also criticised for not having a global take-back recycling policy for its iPhones unlike Nokia and Sony Ericsson.
The report, which can be acccessed from the Greenpeace page here , poses
a particularly sticky problem for Apple which has been trying to
establish its green credentials. In order to satisfy the conclusions of
the report and get a green tick, Apple may be required to redesign its
newest sensation and implement some new recycling practices. Meanwhile,
the supposedly green Apple is looking decidedly red faced.
David Frost
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