The new Apple feature that will stop your old iPhone slowing down
Apple will allow users to turn off a controversial iPhone feature blamed for slowing down devices following widespread backlash.
Chief executive Tim Cook announced the throttling feature, which slows down performance to preserve battery life on older devices, will become optional after the tech giant listened to consumers who were angered by the feature.
"We're going to give people the visibility of the health of their battery, so it's very, very transparent. This hasn't been done before," Cook told US ABC News.
Apple faced a wave of criticism after it was reported that the company was deliberately slowing down older handsets to allow ageing batteries to cope with new features and provide smooth performance.
Cook argues that the company was transparent over the change, but conceded it could have been communicated better.
"When we did put it out, we did say what it was but I don't think a lot of people were paying attention. But maybe we should have been clearer as well," he said.
"We deeply apologise for anyone who thinks we have some other kind of motivation."
It is not clear when this new feature will be available for consumers, but Cook said Apple plans to test it in a developer release of iOS next month
"In a developer release which happens next month we're going to give people the visibility of the health of their battery... this has never been done before," he said.
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Last year Apple was forced to clarify the feature after research revealed its detrimental effect on a phone's performance.
Handset owners had accused the company of implementing the change in a bid to make customers upgrade to the latest iPhone.
Despite introducing the option, Cook has advised iPhone owners not to turn off the throttling feature when the update is released.
