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As if RIM wasn’t already having enough trouble struggling for relevance with BlackBerry phones, there’s yet another thing about the handsets that makes them a bit less appealing compared to iPhones and Android devices: you could actually be allergic to a BlackBerry, in the most literal sense.
According to a recent study, around one third of all BlackBerries contain nickel, a metal that causes allergic reactions in 17 percent of women and 3 percent of men. As if that wasn’t bad enough, many of these phones also contain cobalt, yet another contact allergen. If you’re allergic, symptoms can include eczema, blisters, lesions, swelling, and in extreme cases, using a BlackBerry can literally be a scarring experience. iPhones and Android phones, on the other hand, were found to be free and clear.
While many BlackBerries old and new have the offending metals, flip-phone models are by far the worst offenders, containing nickel a whopping 91 percent of the time. That’s a pretty huge margin, but the fact that this hasn’t been a huge issue yet probably means BlackBerries aren’t out there ruining lives left and right. Still, if you’ve got a nickel allergy—or have been suffering from itchy, BlackBerry-face—it’s just another reason to write off the suffering brand. That, and fantastic fodder for Blackberry jokes. [Eureka via PopSci]
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Not a joke, and my doctor, photos, friends, family etc can verify, but I am allergic to whatever Apple coat their aluminum products in, from the Apple Bluetooth and USB keyboards, to the MacBooks. I am typing this on a 13″ MacBook Air whose keyboard area is covered in protective film from that company that makes the screen protectors for iPhones etc. The case (lid and base) are in a superb Incase shell.
Based on postings on forums, I am one of very few to suffer this. Within seconds of touching or holding the surface (such as my PowerBook 12″ years ago when this first started to happen), the skin on my fingers tingles. A few minutes later, it starts to feel itchy. After 15-30, the skin cracks. And then it will bleed if I continue.
In the case of laptops, having them connected to a power source makes it a lot worse, probably due to current leakage across the aluminium surface.
I just bought a black iPad mini (one of the best products Apple every made BTW) and the black coating appears to protect my skin.
(I have no interest in compensation for this as it’s just the way things are. Am allergic to cats as well, but love them too!)
Wow, if you continue to buy their products when you know you’re allergic to them they really must have brainwashed you.
Truth be told, when Apple do things right, just as one has to pay more, it is sometimes worth the inconvenience. (In my case, purchasing covers etc.) I actually looked into Windows based laptops that offered the same build quality as say the 13″ MBA, but whilst some of the new notebooks from Samsung and Asus are physically great, Windows (except XP) is a complete disaster and always has been for so many reasons to do with the UX, security (constant popups from various anti-virus vendors), appalling aesthetics, inconsistencies across version etc. (Not to mention, I have tens of thousands of Mac specific files.) To this date, I just don’t understand how people can get on with Windows, but each to their own! (Scientifically, we tend to adapt to whatever we learn, no matter how complex or flawed, which probably explains the market share MS have on the desktop.) All said, I think the iPad mini is going to revolutionise just about everything due to it’s almost perfect form factor and weight. The first real tablet IMHO. (And if there was an Android equivalent, I would say the same thing.) So grateful for the slate coloured version as it doesn’t cause allergies.
I’d hate to see what would happen if you walked into an Apple store, I’d imagine it being akin to that Nazi fella at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, ghosts n all.
Actually, if I was to rub my whole body with the stuff, that would probably happen!
That is brand loyalty right there.
Blackberrys irritate me greatly
Clearly those metals aren’t on the surface of the phone. Stop being sensationalist.
Did you know Oflife is allergic to Apple products yet still buys them? That should be an article right there!