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This whole story is just taking on a life of it's own now. Can Apple now do anything aside from a recall to convince people to trust them again? This could be damning evidence. Time to bust out more conspiracy theories, lol.

I'll tell you one thing: I've bought every iPhone on launch day. It's looking less likely that I will buy the next iPhone on launch day. If a hardened fan like me can think that, then imagine the millions of people trying to decide between Android and iOS. Makes it a little easier? Just enough to push them a bit in one direction? Apple needs to be honest above all else tomorrow.

I think the media frenzy is a little over hyped. I don't have a single problem with my iPhone4 and know of at least 3 friends who aren't die hard fans, fixing to buy one even hearing all the bad press. So I think the whole thing about people not trusting Apple and things are just over exaggerated.
 
Did Apple knew?
What seems weird is Apple pushing the "bumpers" during the presentation of the iPhone 4 and after the release of the phone it is precisely the issue of the antenna what the bumper fixes... Did Apple knew about the reception issue from the beginning, but it was too late to stop shipments and refurb the units or change the design of the antenna. A recall at this point will cost Apple billions of dollars...

This is a really good and objective article that addresses this allegation.

http://http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-07/testing-goods-iphone-4-or-apples-icarus-moment
 
I don't get it

IF you don't like the phone, then return it. If Apple wasn't accepting returns, then people would have a point.

I may take mine back, depending on the press release. My issue is less about the reception (it's been fine) than it has been the proximity sensor and the bluetooth connection muffling.

I suspect the proximity sensor can be fixed with a software update. I hope.
 
My guess..

They have a certain batch of serial codes that they know are affected. If you are in this category, expect a recall.
 
All I know is...

I've had an iPhone 4 since June 23rd.

I can play finger twister and make some bars go away.

I've had one or two dropped calls.

The iPhone 4 is the best phone I've owned to date. Better reception, better battery, better performance.

I also have no issues. And like you, I can make some bars go away, but I never get a "no service" message and dropped call:confused:
 
Its a freakening signal issue that is 100% avoidable and fixable by the user.

But the point is that the phone should work out of the box. Nothing should need to be "fixed" by the user. If I want to add a case, fine. But the phone should still function if I don't want a case. And isn't Apple implicitly encouraging people to carry their phone without a case? Apple spends a lot of time focusing on the industrial design and clean lines of the iPhone. The company brags about the supposedly durable construction. Apple makes it seem like the device is perfect as it is. A case (or bumper) should be an optional style choice.

But that's not the current situation. You wouldn't say to people who bought a Toyota, "Just don't put your foot down on the gas pedal and you won't have a problem." The phone was meant to be held. It should function fine when in contact with a person's hand. It doesn't in many cases. So Apple needs to correct the problem, and I'm sure they will.
 
Ouch!

If it can be proven that Apple knew about this huge design flaw and that it was mentioned both early in the design phase and also by a carrier-partner, I cannot possibly see how they could ever win any of the class action suits against them. In fact, if it is true, I hope they lose and lose big time.

My phone is affected by this problem, although not as bad as others. I've had it exchanged once, but still have the problem. I will not purchase a bumper to fix a design problem, I have never had to before in almost 20 years of owning cell phones. Returning it is not an option as I've already sold my old 3GS and all incompatible accessories. Returning it for a different smartphone will cost me more money out of pocket, so in effect I've suffered financial damage as a result of this design flaw.

To those who claim that the problem doesn't exist because it does not affect you, please try to shed your ignorant and blind view of life and realize that there is a much larger world out there. Not everyone has the same quality of signal that you do, not everyone holds the phone the same way you do, and not everyone uses a case (and shouldn't have to).

It's frustrating enough to deal with this issue, and quite offensive to be told that we are doing something wrong, or that the problem really doesn't exist. Please try to be considerate to those who are suffering from this flaw.
 
I think the media frenzy is a little over hyped. I don't have a single problem with my iPhone4 and know of at least 3 friends who aren't die hard fans, fixing to buy one even hearing all the bad press. So I think the whole thing about people not trusting Apple and things are just over exaggerated.

I agree but unfortunately a few people have come up to me and said they aren't going to get a new iPhone 4 to replace their Blackberry or old iPhone because you 'can't make calls with it'. That's the sort of misinterpretation that has blown this all out of proportion.
 
.

Idiot!!! He needs to go.

Right, that would make the stock fall even more than it already is. :rolleyes:

I think people need to realize that with any major form factor change, there are kinks that will be discovered early on in the product release that will need to get ironed out. the word lemon has been thrown around the forums quite a bit, and i think it's an accurate term.

between wifi issues, screen proximity, dropped calls, death grip, there's a lot of crap apple's got on it's '**** to fix' list.

thanks for being the guinea pigs in apple's first build out folks! once they capture enough data about busted phones from the genius bar, i'm sure the catastrophe management dept. at apple will be able to figure out where the problems are and will get it right.

i guess i'll wait until august to get mine :)
 
No, I don't need a bumper

Form over factor eh?

If true, then surely every iPhone 4 should have been supplied with a Bumper in the box.

A bumper is not a fix! I never used a case for my iPhones, and I refuse to use one for iPhone 4. Why would I want to feel/touch a $1 rubber band instead of such a fine device.

This would truly mean that people care more about getting crap for free whatever it is, and not so much for the issue at hand...

:(:(:(
 
I currently own:

Mac Color Classic ( Circa 1993 )
iMac ( G3, Red )
Mac Mini
iMac 24" aluminum
13" Macbook aluminum
Original iPhone 2G
and an ipad.

This represents 17 years as an apple enthuisiast.

I will tell you, Apple needs to " MAN -UP, take it in the shorts and do a complete refund/recall " or ill never buy another Appple product again. This is cleary a huge mistake that IS FORGIVEABLE, ONLY IF THEY DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

I love their products, but their hubrus is starting to burn them. Im very disappointed and bothered by this current slip.

STEVE...........DO THE RIGHT THING!

Trout
 
Wow a press conference.... its like a movie. :eek:

BTW... There will be NO RECALL... so don't start posting about how there will be one!!!!!!!!!!

Its a freakening signal issue that is 100% avoidable and fixable by the user. Recall is just stupid for such a non-critical issue.

How do you know? Do you have a concrete proof?
 
Do you think Apple has not a single engineer?

I think the news specifically points out what everyone knows: that Jobs often overrules his engineers and other staff.

Or are you claiming that Jobs didn't know about it?

If you hate Apple so much what are you doing on this site?

I like Apple a lot (or at least, the old Apple), which is why I think Jobs needs to retire and get out of the way... or start manning up and taking responsibility for his and his company's goofs.
 
Sweetness .... maybe my $100 Gift Card is already in the mail? :D

I love my iPhone 4 when it is in the case ... when out of the case and held in my hand it is a POS. So a $100 gift card to buy a new case will make me feel much better :)

I hope you only get a free bumper/case or an exchange of a problematic iPhone.

Receiving money? Greed.
 
said the person, who is not authorized to speak on Apple's behalf and asked not to be identified.

I say things and I'm not authorised to speak on Apple's behalf either! Nor do I want to be identified!

What a load of crap.
 
I like Apple a lot (or at least, the old Apple), which is why I think Jobs needs to retire and get out of the way... or start manning up and taking responsibility for his goofs.

Give me a break! Jobs knows more about consumer products then anyone else. Jobs is the exact person that should be running Apple. And I'm 20.
 
No surprise.

This happens when executives (especially those with no engineering background and who have volatile tempers and are known to fire people on a whim) make critical design decisions.

Sometimes it works out, sometimes not.

The bigger question to me is, why aren't the cell carriers catching this stuff better? For example, Verizon is infamous for holding back devices until their test group is satisfied.

This is at least twice that AT&T's staff have allowed a major mistake that should've been caught. Remember the first 3G version, which had a WCDMA power control problem that would bring down cells?

Edit: In this case, supposedly a carrier DID notice, but still sold the phone.

Good points. We don't know which carrier noticed the issue.

If it was AT&T, it would still put them in a difficult spot without back-up from other carriers. With all the network issues AT&T has been dealing with and blamed for the last couple of years, Apple and thier fans would probably entirely dismiss AT&T's concerns.

Plus I saw this in one of the articles:

Consumer Reports tested the iPhone and other phones offered by Dallas-based AT&T in an isolation chamber with a device that simulates a carrier’s cell towers.

“None of those phones had the signal-loss problems of the iPhone 4,” the organization said. “The tests also indicate that AT&T’s network might not be the primary suspect in the iPhone 4’s much-reported signal woes.”
 
you know, sometimes i wonder what would have happened if gizmodo never published the story about the lost iPhone.

would there be this much scrutiny and subsequent outrage on the phone? or would it have been the same?

the other thing to remember is that the phone was found in a bar with a case on--whether the case was used to camouflage the phone or not, makes you wonder whether or not it was appropriately tested (sans case).

i'm guessing it wasn't :)

this sucks, and i'm pretty sad to see this happen to a company that, apart from its corporate motive to generate profits, actually has some sort of solid moral intentions when it comes to technology development and product releases. you can question their customer service morals with this whole antenna fiasco, but you can't say that this company doesn't try its best to provide the public with attractive 'lowest common denominator' software that "just works."

In life, sometimes good things come out of the bad.
Let's hope Steve (Apple) has learned a lesson or two here.
 
NY Senator Charles Schumer letter to Jobs

July 15, 2010

Dear Mr. Jobs,

I write to express concern regarding the reception problem with the Apple iPhone 4. While I commend Apple's innovative approach to mobile technology and appreciate its service to millions of iPhone users nationwide, I believe it is incumbent upon Apple to address this flaw in a transparent manner. According to Consumer Reports' review, released Monday on its website, the iPhone 4's signal-strength problem is a hardwire glitch triggered by gripping the device in a particular manner. This finding, according to Consumer Reports, "call into question” Apple’s recent claim that the problem is “largely an optical illusion caused by faulty software." Consumer Reports declined to recommend the iPhone 4 because of this hardware design flaw.

Given the discrepancy between Consumer Reports' explanation of the reception problem and the explanation provided by Apple in its July 2 letter to customers, I am concerned that the nearly two million purchasers of the iPhone 4 may not have complete information about the quality of the product they have purchased. The burden for consumers caused by this glitch, combined with the confusion over its cause and how it will be fixed, has the potential to undermine the many benefits of this innovative device. To address this concern, I ask that Apple provide iPhone 4 customers with a clearly written explanation of the cause of the reception problem and make a public commitment to remedy it free-of-charge. 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. These proposed solutions would unfairly place the burden on consumers for resolving a problem they were not aware of when they purchased their phones.

I also encourage Apple to keep its promise to provide free software updates so that bars displayed accurately reflect signal strength; I further urge Apple to issue a written explanation of the formula it uses to calculate bar strength, so that consumers can once again trust the product that they have invested in.

I look forward to Apple's swift action on this matter, and once again laud Apple for its innovative efforts and service to millions of Americans.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
 
Wow a press conference.... its like a movie. :eek:

BTW... There will be NO RECALL... so don't start posting about how there will be one!!!!!!!!!!

Its a freakening signal issue that is 100% avoidable and fixable by the user. Recall is just stupid for such a non-critical issue.

How is it fixable? I haven't seen anything on this. If you are referring to a case/bumper, then that is not a fix, that's only masking the problem.
 
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