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'Antennagate' Reactions: RIM, Nokia, Taiwanese Animation
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The iPhone 4 antenna reception issue is Apple's issue.
However, we all have to face the fact that there is a smartphone antenna reception issue or really even a mobile phone antenna issue in general. And that is an industry wide issue for manufacturers and cellular providers.
I have had phones from almost every major big manufacturers in the past. All of them have reception issue - be it in it rain, when I am in the elevator, underground, at 50 odd some floors up in a building. I have had issues, and people around me have the same issue, on different phones and different networks.
And most of all, we have learned to live with them majority of the time. HTC, RIM, Nokia or any other company standing behind the " lack of customer complaints on reception issue therefore we have no problem" are shielded from a higher and more visible standard Apple is often measured against.
I don't see the media or the public "screaming" over any of this. And mind you, I have had some crappy phones too.
Why now? Why iPhone 4? Why Apple?
I won't say its a conspiracy issue, but definitely Apple is one big easy target for cheap press and bloggers' click counts for ads. Anyone remember who GreenPeace targeted first in the computer industry for using toxins? Not Asus for their cheap, extremely disposable and toxic netbooks or Dell for their clunky and potentially more toxins-per-volume hardware designs.
The fact of the matter is, Apple is easy to target. Any tiny non-issue blows out to be a major one.
I for one think that Apple is correct in illustrating the issue industry wide. It would be irresponsible for them not to.
It is NOT pointing fingers, or bulking at taking responsibility. It is illustrating to the media their exaggerations, their irresponsible journalism. Questionable email response turns up on blogs then become the official company response.
I remember learning what journalism is in English class even in grade school, most of our media is nothing but sensationalism and biased converage today.
Apple is correct in presenting what they did to a media that craves on rumors and a public that is too often to follow hearsay.
However, we all have to face the fact that there is a smartphone antenna reception issue or really even a mobile phone antenna issue in general. And that is an industry wide issue for manufacturers and cellular providers.
I have had phones from almost every major big manufacturers in the past. All of them have reception issue - be it in it rain, when I am in the elevator, underground, at 50 odd some floors up in a building. I have had issues, and people around me have the same issue, on different phones and different networks.
And most of all, we have learned to live with them majority of the time. HTC, RIM, Nokia or any other company standing behind the " lack of customer complaints on reception issue therefore we have no problem" are shielded from a higher and more visible standard Apple is often measured against.
I don't see the media or the public "screaming" over any of this. And mind you, I have had some crappy phones too.
Why now? Why iPhone 4? Why Apple?
I won't say its a conspiracy issue, but definitely Apple is one big easy target for cheap press and bloggers' click counts for ads. Anyone remember who GreenPeace targeted first in the computer industry for using toxins? Not Asus for their cheap, extremely disposable and toxic netbooks or Dell for their clunky and potentially more toxins-per-volume hardware designs.
The fact of the matter is, Apple is easy to target. Any tiny non-issue blows out to be a major one.
I for one think that Apple is correct in illustrating the issue industry wide. It would be irresponsible for them not to.
It is NOT pointing fingers, or bulking at taking responsibility. It is illustrating to the media their exaggerations, their irresponsible journalism. Questionable email response turns up on blogs then become the official company response.
I remember learning what journalism is in English class even in grade school, most of our media is nothing but sensationalism and biased converage today.
Apple is correct in presenting what they did to a media that craves on rumors and a public that is too often to follow hearsay.
Um, no it IS relevant. Look, there are two things going on here:
(1) The fallacy of a double standard: This is when you hold one company to a higher standard than another. If customers were unhappy, and just customers, then I think Apple might have avoided pointing out the other phones. But when the Media got involved, the implication became that ONLY Apple has this problem and has to fix it. That's a double standard. And Apple has every right to say, "If you're going to hold us to this standard, you have to hold others." Otherwise, Apple is going to be punished for something EVERYONE is doing. So if the Media is going to punish a company for this flaw, why just Apple?
(2) Evidence of Innocence: Now this is where it gets really important. Please, try to understand this point. If Apple DEMONSTRATES that other phones have this problem, then it makes its point that this design flaw can't be avoided. Meaning there is no phone yet made that has conquered this issue. That's important. If none of the other phones had this problem, it would indicate that Apple had bad or sloppy engineers, designers, or had, indeed, picked form over function (as accused). By showing that the other phones have this issue, Apple defends--and presumably proves--it's assertion that this issue can't be entirely avoided--yet. All cellphones will have this problem to a greater or lesser extent.
Thus, once again, they weren't negligent. Keep in mind, they're being compared to BP and Toyota--who WERE negligent.
I'm kinda amazed at people bitching about Apple showing the other phones, by the way. What I'm getting is that none of you wanted Apple to present evidence in its defense. You just wanted Apple to "man up!" and...What? Say, "We made the worst phone ever. Bring it back. We'll give you all Blackberries and close our doors forever in shame and failure...."
Pointing out the other companies is EVIDENCE that this is a flaw that all phones have. Now what *may* be a mistake on Apple's part, and Jobs pointed it out, was where they put the break can be easily found and touched to make it happen. And they put the antenna on the outside which also makes it easier. BUT Jobs also pointed out why they did this. It wasn't out of being sloppy or negligence or even to make it pretty. It was so the phone could get better reception in weaker spots. And users claim that the phone does do that! So, whether it is a worse problem on Apple's phone than others depends. Apple argues that the numbers so far seem to indicate that it isn't worse than other phones--but it might be easier to cause. However, that easier element also gives users an advantage.
If you're being accused of a crime, you have every right to defend yourself and present any evidence there is of innocence. This was why those demonstrations of other phones were presented. But Apple did say they're sorry. And you can get a refund if you're unhappy with the phone. So. What more do you want from them? Seriously. What could they say that would satisfy you? "Humility" you say? So, "We're not perfect. We make mistakes. We want our customers happy...." isn't humble enough? Why not? And would you buy a product from any company that said, "To be honest and humble, our products have problems. Let me give you a list of all that's not perfect...."
Yeah, but bashing other companies isn't good practice.. Putting that kind of information out there about other companies is not going to help their sales right?
That is where I think Apple went wrong. Steve should have just said that "Other" phones have similar issues, instead of showing the model and make.. Its not like other phone companies point out Apple Iphones' flaws..
Apple were never negative about the other manufacturers at all.. Steve even said they were GOOD phones. All he's asking is you look at them equally and don't hold apple up to a different set of standards to others (without doing the research to back it up).
Trying to pacify the media and curb the wave of nonsense, they weren't trying to appease joe public directly, just nip it in the bud so the media don't carry on muddying the waters unchecked. The average man on the street doesn't care about apple press conferences, just us, the media and bloggers.
Apple owned up to mistakes/odd choices here, especially in the Q&A. I don't see how you can't see humility in Apple after watching the conference. I wouldn't want to take the bullet and feed sales to other manufacturers who have the exact same problems, it wouldn't make sense. Anyone who doesn't believe steve and co take this all very personally doesn't know Apple very well either.
What would you do in Apple's position? If you believed the things they do? And if you consider the fact that the external antenna gives extra interior space for other valued upgrades?
Trying to pacify the media and curb the wave of nonsense, they weren't trying to appease joe public directly, just nip it in the bud so the media don't carry on muddying the waters unchecked. The average man on the street doesn't care about apple press conferences, just us, the media and bloggers.
Apple owned up to mistakes/odd choices here, especially in the Q&A. I don't see how you can't see humility in Apple after watching the conference. I wouldn't want to take the bullet and feed sales to other manufacturers who have the exact same problems, it wouldn't make sense. Anyone who doesn't believe steve and co take this all very personally doesn't know Apple very well either.
What would you do in Apple's position? If you believed the things they do? And if you consider the fact that the external antenna gives extra interior space for other valued upgrades?
Funny how people accept an apple produced video in an apple controlled facility with an outcome that apple wanted as gospel.
All i can say is that Jobs is having an identity crisis
he mistakens himself as the God. I think that this marks the beginning of the end of his second coming.
he mistakens himself as the God. I think that this marks the beginning of the end of his second coming.
Well, I've never had an iPhone so I can't comment on its antenna. However, my blackberry WILL drop calls depending on how you hold it, and my previous nokia phone would do the same thing. Hmm....
Is it just me, or are these other companies starting to feel the pressure?
Is it just me, or are these other companies starting to feel the pressure?
It's all about the magic of misdirection (on SJ part). Have you ever had a phone which would completely lose a signal when touched by one finger? That's the real question. This is how unique iPhone 4 is and this is why other companies are so furious about SJ comparing his crap to their phones.
exactly. it's like when you break something as a kid, and when your parents call you out on it you remind them of the time your brother broke something, too. Juvenile.
Especially since:
1) bars don't mean much
2) the other phones don't exhibit the problem with just a touch of a fingertip
No kidding!
Yet what he showed and said about their phones is not untrue! See all the posts below, also they all have warnings in their manuals, you can find stickers telling you not to hold the phones covering the antenna, etc. etc. They all sit here and release their statements but their phones all will do the same thing!
Can we all just get free bumpers
{QUOTE davesw ]
Videos: death grip on EVO, Droid Incredible, Nexus One, Galaxy 1, G1, etc.
* http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-kFc..._with_droid_x/
* Samsung I9000 Galaxy S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LROTHrTR92k
* HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag
* Samsung Galaxy 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
* Samsung Galaxy 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCQdYtPihg
* Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk
* Droid Incredible (With Network Extender in Room): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEQH...eature=related
* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIA_lMwqJA
* Nexus One vs. iPhone (start at 1:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvMoV4_C4aA
* http://www.metacafe.com/watch/yt-kFc..._with_droid_x/
* Nexus One: http://posterous.com/getfile/files.p...n_-_iPhone.m4v
* Nexus One (after Google's update to correct): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2g5J4qPp54
* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deCkjeHYT-g
* Android G1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDaxhjUs9M
* "Major signal degradation when Nexus One is picked up" (N1 Thread on On this Problem): http://www.google.com/support/forum/...9184c33e&hl=en
I still wanna know WHY they don't just put a clear coating of something around the band to cut conductivity! Why in the WORLD didn't anyone ask them that at the press conference???
Perhaps, but my point still stands. Honestly, have you ever owned a cellphone prior to the iPhone 4 that had a signal deteriorate upon holding in a normal cellphone-holding manner?
if you've got 10 mins (maybe more): some interesting reading posted by some quasi reputable antenna dude on iP4... http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/
Actually, I wouldn't say such a thing. It's kind of a stupid thing to say. Excuse the cliche, but two wrongs don't make a right. I can think of many better excuses to use on a cop. Do you really think the cop will say "well, sir, you were driving 90 in a 65. But come to think of it, so were other people. So, I'll just let you go."? If so, you're the delusional one.
Apple backed up their claims with proof and some of the haters here like you just can't stand it!
So, I'm a "hater" because I realy don't give a damn about other smartphones performances? If I did, then I would own one of them. Truth is, I don't care about them. I only care about the performance of my iPhone 4. I'm definitely not an antenna expert, but from what I'm reading, it was pretty dumb move to put the antenna on the exterior. I guess we'll see next year what they do with the form factor. It will at this point only will we be able to tell if the design was flawed.
Um, no it IS relevant. Look, there are two things going on here:
(1) The fallacy of a double standard: This is when you hold one company to a higher standard than another. If customers were unhappy, and just customers, then I think Apple might have avoided pointing out the other phones. But when the Media got involved, the implication became that ONLY Apple has this problem and has to fix it. That's a double standard. And Apple has every right to say, "If you're going to hold us to this standard, you have to hold others." Otherwise, Apple is going to be punished for something EVERYONE is doing. So if the Media is going to punish a company for this flaw, why just Apple?
(2) Evidence of Innocence: Now this is where it gets really important. Please, try to understand this point. If Apple DEMONSTRATES that other phones have this problem, then it makes its point that this design flaw can't be avoided. Meaning there is no phone yet made that has conquered this issue. That's important. If none of the other phones had this problem, it would indicate that Apple had bad or sloppy engineers, designers, or had, indeed, picked form over function (as accused). By showing that the other phones have this issue, Apple defends--and presumably proves--it's assertion that this issue can't be entirely avoided--yet. All cellphones will have this problem to a greater or lesser extent.
Thus, once again, they weren't negligent. Keep in mind, they're being compared to BP and Toyota--who WERE negligent.
I'm kinda amazed at people bitching about Apple showing the other phones, by the way. What I'm getting is that none of you wanted Apple to present evidence in its defense. You just wanted Apple to "man up!" and...What? Say, "We made the worst phone ever. Bring it back. We'll give you all Blackberries and close our doors forever in shame and failure...."
Pointing out the other companies is EVIDENCE that this is a flaw that all phones have. Now what *may* be a mistake on Apple's part, and Jobs pointed it out, was where they put the break can be easily found and touched to make it happen. And they put the antenna on the outside which also makes it easier. BUT Jobs also pointed out why they did this. It wasn't out of being sloppy or negligence or even to make it pretty. It was so the phone could get better reception in weaker spots. And users claim that the phone does do that! So, whether it is a worse problem on Apple's phone than others depends. Apple argues that the numbers so far seem to indicate that it isn't worse than other phones--but it might be easier to cause. However, that easier element also gives users an advantage.
If you're being accused of a crime, you have every right to defend yourself and present any evidence there is of innocence. This was why those demonstrations of other phones were presented. But Apple did say they're sorry. And you can get a refund if you're unhappy with the phone. So. What more do you want from them? Seriously. What could they say that would satisfy you? "Humility" you say? So, "We're not perfect. We make mistakes. We want our customers happy...." isn't humble enough? Why not? And would you buy a product from any company that said, "To be honest and humble, our products have problems. Let me give you a list of all that's not perfect...."
I think you stated the most TRUTH in this thread. Nothing you wrote seems biased one way or the other, unlike other posts in this thread. When I saw the press conference, I was very impressed with Apples reply. However, I knew that those who expected Apple to recall all the phones or those who hate Apple wouldnt be happy with the response. So, instead of doing what Apple said you can do, theyre going to just increase the complaining. The fact is the phone is better because of the design changes (called flaws by some) for most people.
...also they all have warnings in their manuals, you can find stickers telling you not to hold the phones covering the antenna, etc. etc. They all sit here and release their statements but their phones all will do the same thing!
Then, why in the world did Apple put the antenna in such a dumb spot - right where people wrap the hands around their phones? I know you can't answer that, but it makes you wonder.
I still wanna know WHY they don't just put a clear coating of something around the band to cut conductivity! Why in the WORLD didn't anyone ask them that at the press conference???
Agreed.
Well, I guess what you say is LAW and anyone else's opinion is unimportant to you. Why don't you stop hating and acting pissed off that Apple was able to prove facts that they stated. They have every right to show competitor's phones with the same problem. The problem is those other phones and their manufacturers don't have an iconic culture as Apple and their products so they are generally more high profile.
This is not about owning up to anything they've done wrong, they are proving facts which they did.
Hope for your sake you never become a victim of circumstance and want to prove your way clear but the judge and jury have you convicted before proving your case.
Well, I guess what you say is LAW and anyone else's opinion is unimportant to you. Why don't you stop hating and acting pissed off that Apple was able to prove facts that they stated. They have every right to show competitor's phones with the same problem. The problem is those other phones and their manufacturers don't have an iconic culture as Apple and their products so they are generally more high profile.
This is not about owning up to anything they've done wrong, they are proving facts which they did.
Hope for your sake you never become a victim of circumstance and want to prove your way clear but the judge and jury have you convicted before proving your case.
When exactly did they do this? As many pointed out, there are two very different problems: attenuation (which all phones have) and shorting of two antennas which is unique for iPhone 4. While people are complaining about the latter, Steve Jobs proved that all phones suffer from the former one. He holds his customers for idiots and other companies caught his lies. It's just that simple.
Libel and slander suits are *extremely* difficult to win in lawsuit-happy America. (Particularly as compared with the UK; I don't know how the situation is in Canada). That's why you don't see too many of them
What a bunch of bs
These companies are full of ****, come on all phones have this issue, Apple is only called out because they sell the most of one phone, if a blackberry sold 3,000,000 in 3 weeks then their reception issue with be the talk of the world, Apple has came out and told the truth are these other companies going to come out and tell the truth now?
These companies are full of ****, come on all phones have this issue, Apple is only called out because they sell the most of one phone, if a blackberry sold 3,000,000 in 3 weeks then their reception issue with be the talk of the world, Apple has came out and told the truth are these other companies going to come out and tell the truth now?
Well - either there is a good reason for putting it where they did
or apple are dumb and all their success so far has been a fluke