Apple to allow iPhone users to disable battery slowdowns

Apple CEO Tim Cook said Wednesday that iPhone owners will be able to shut down a software feature that lowers the performance of older phones to save battery power.

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Cook told ABC News the feature would be introduced in a developer version of an iOS update next month and be available to the public soon after.

Apple has been under fire after it was revealed the company slowed down older iPhones to let their batteries last longer.

Consumers voiced frustration with the company for not being transparent about this feature. It also fed into longtime speculation from Apple critics that the company slows down older phones to encourage consumers to buy newer models. Apple has denied slowing down phones for that reason.

Apple previously issued a public apology after it admitted it slows down older iPhones.

Apple also announced that it would begin offering discounted battery replacements to iPhone 6 and 6s owners.

But those moves may not be enough for lawmakers, who are also raiasing questions about Apple’s practices.

Last week, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), as well as a group of House Democratic lawmakers, sent separate letters to Apple asking for answers on the matter.

“Apple’s proposed solutions have prompted additional criticism from some customers, particularly its decision not to provide free replacement batteries,” Thune wrote.