The solutions offered to date by Apple for dealing with the so-called "death grip" malfunction-such as holding the device differently, or buying a cover for it-seem to be insufficient.

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Meanwhile, medical-device makers may also need to convince Medicare and private health insurers to help cover the cost for patients.

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Flip the device around, and there's a brushed-styled (but not finish) battery cover with a grill separating it from the chin.

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