The first class-action lawsuit filed against Apple over the iPhone has now been dismissed. The lawsuit claimed the company did not "immediately tell customers about the limited life of batteries for its iPhone or their $86 replacement cost, including delivery." However, Judge Mathew F. Kennelly dismissed the suit without trial at Apple's request.
Apparently, the judge simply read the packaging on the iPhone, which described the battery as having "limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced by Apple service provider," and ruled that was sufficient warning. The lawsuit never seemed to have much of a chance, let alone merit class-action status, but the plaintiff was probably hoping to cash in by relating his case to a successful one over the iPod's battery.
But while Apple is off the hook, AT&T may not be so lucky. The wireless provider remains a defendant, at least until some issues involving an arbitration requirement are resolved.