One can describe the iPhone as a hot device, But for two persons this week-- one in Australia, the other in Brazil-- the iPhone experience got overheated, after both reported their phones started belching smoke before nearly melting down. 

The first reported was the Australian case-- on Nov. 25, on a Regional Express flight to Sydney, "an iPhone was so red hot it started smoking, partially melted and had to be doused by a flight attendant with a fire extinguisher," according to a report from the airline. 

The second case took place in Brazil-- Ayla Paulo Moto left his iPhone 4 to charge overnight, only to wake up to find the smartphone producing not only "black smoke" but also "a lot of sparks." Mota then switched off the power before unplugging the device and opening the windows. 

It seems mobile phones do mysteriously self-combust, just like those mystery cases of human self-combustion occassionally popping up on "weird-but-true" newspaper columns. These are not even the first cases of burning iPhones-- in 2009, a number of iPhone 3GS owners reported overheating handsets. 

The reason? Probably a rare overheating issue related to lithium batteries. As Time reports, in the US the Obama administration wanted to classify lithium batteries as "hazardous material"... even if it also passed a bill barring limits exceeding international standards on lithium cell and battery shipments. 

The September crash of a UPS Boeing 747 in Dubai is also believed to be caused by a lithium-based battery fire.

Such reports, fortunately, remain isolated-- but still very real. More testing on the potential hazards of lithium batteries should be on order, we think.  

Go Red Hot iPhone Sparks Fire on Regional Flight

Go Brazilian Sees His iPhone 4 Catch Fire at Dawn

Go Up in Smoke: iPhone Glows Red on Plane, Melts (Time Techland Blog)

Mobile phones of the future might become even thinner-- Sharp develops what it calls the thinnest CMOS camera module with optical image stabilisation, carrying "proprieatary high-density packaging technology."

The RJ63YC100 is 12.1MP, 1/3.2" CMOS camera module, measuring all of 5.47mm in height "developed in response to the demand for portable mobile devices with ever more slender designs." It also supports 1080p video capture, and should include connectivity to AV equipment and PCs. 

The module contains a lens-shift system controlling the lens, allowing for optical image stabilisation. 

Sample shipments start from 2nd December, and should find themselves in devices sometime in 2012, perhaps. 

Go Sharp to Introduce Thinnest CMOS Camera Module for Smartphones

Verbatim has a product suggestion for the tablet-using customer on the go-- the Ultra-Slim Wireless Mobile Keyboard, ideal for use with any Bluetooth-enabled device, including both tablets and smartphones.

It comes in a compact design, and even has a set of smart keys controlling copy, paste and undo functionality, music playback and screen locking.

The package also includes a carry case and a USB charger, and is available in either black or white.

Go Verbatim Ultra-Slim Wireless Mobile Keyboard

Customers looking for a dictaphone might find an ideal replacement in the Tacsam iM2 Stereo Microphone-- an iPhone accessory turning the mobile device into a stereo recorder.

It carries x2 condenser microphones (the same found in Tacsam's DR-series recorders) and plugs into Apple dock connectors. The microphones are adjustable over 180-degrees, with uni-directional elements arranged in an AB pattern for detailed stereo imaging.

A built-in microphone pre-amp allows it to handle up to 125dB sound levels, while a stereo limiter tames sudden loud sounds.

It takes power through the dock connector (meaning it needs no batteries), and works with any recording app, including the built-in video camera and a free companion recording app.

Go Tacsam iM2 Stereo Microphone