Chevy has found a simple solution to overheating phones: air conditioners.
Summer is in full swing and temperatures will be getting higher as we go. Air conditioners are a near necessity in some areas. As much as the living need to remain cool, so does our technology.
The lithium ion battery in most phones does not do well in heat. In some cases, it has been known to explode . When placed on the charging shelf in the new 2016 Chevys, even the regular air conditioner couldn’t quite keep a phone cool.
“Over time, regular overheating can do permanent damage to the lithium ion batteries that power our smartphones,” said deputy editor of Digital Trends , Jeffrey Van Camp. “I always recommend keeping your phone in a cool, ventilated place, where it can stay at a comfortable room temperature, whether it’s charging or discharging.”
Chevy has added a vent to the charging shelf in the new models of many of their vehicles, including the 2016 Malibu, Cruze, Volt, and Impala. The vent directs cool air directly onto the phone as it charges, but it only works when the main air conditioner in the car is on.
It’s easy to wonder why you would need an air conditioner for your phone if you need to have the air conditioner in the car on in order for it to work. Wouldn’t that keep the phone cool, too?
In most cases, yes. However, the new models have a charging shelf that’s slightly enclosed. In cases like that, it’s a little more difficult for the cool air to reach the phone, especially after the heat has been beating down on the car all day.
Chevy released a statement that explained the need for an air conditioner that targets your phone.
“An air vent connected directly to the car’s air conditioning and ventilation system is directed to the charging bin where the phone rests for wireless charging, sending cool air to help lower the phone’s temperature. Active Phone Cooling operates only when the HVAC system is turned on by the driver.
“Several factors can cause or worsen overheating in smartphones like heavy strain on the device’s data and graphics processors, high ambient temperatures or simply charging the device. The problem can be worse inside vehicles during hot weather. Heat is trapped inside a vehicle during hot days causing cabin temperatures to soar much higher than outside temperatures.”
The phone air conditioner is an extra option that can be paid for. The package involves the Active Phone Cooling system and wireless charging for your preferred smartphone.
[Images courtesy of General Motors]
