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Apple Beefing Up iPhone and iPad Antenna Engineering Staff

Another unfortunate problem that this whole issue uncovered is Apple's secrecy prevents proper QA testing. We now know that the prototypes had fancy cases to disguise them as 3GS's- perhaps the issue would have been noticed earlier without the disguise case.
 
I don't have a fancy degree or nothing but I used to drive a truck...I always had to mess with my CB radio antenna and tweak it to get the most performance possible. It made shouting out for a lot lizard a lot easier. Do you think with my experience in antennas I ought to send in my resume?
 
I guess I have a reason to buy iPhone 5 now. Thanks Steve, who would have guessed the reason to buy next years phone is to actually be able to use it as a phone!! Lol.
 
Interesting. Seems to indicate they had an inkling of a problem before the official launch of iPhone 4.

These postings will not look good in a lawsuit about reception issues.
 
I've had my finger in the technology resourcing pie, and I think it's odd that Apple would hire so many in these positions at once. Will there be a need to retain them ongoing? Does Apple list contract positions through that portal? About half of the people we've hired were contractors that were "matriculated". The other half were internal hires.
 
WhySoSerious said:
I consider holding the iP4 in your hand, touching the left corner/black seam, while either on a call or surfing safari, and having the reception slowly drop until the connection is 100% gone.

That is an issue and that is what people experience.
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It's true for me, I have two different ones and they both do this. My theory is Apple did something to try to boost the signal strength in geographical locations where it's weak. And when you are in those particular areas you cannot give it the "deathgrip" or even touch the seam. But when you are in an area that has a strong signal strength or multiple towers to jump to, it just weakens the signal, not entirely killing it. Hence, the varying reports.

It's almost like variable valve technology. In the city, it uses only 1 area of the phone, in rural areas 2 areas of the phone. This is not based on anything other than assumptions.
 
pmz said:
"screwed" in the sense that we have a great product that works? Does it have a flaw...i think it might, but its a non-issue.

An "issue" would be a problem that prevents the device from working properly.

The iPhone 4 undoubtedly works properly (i Know, I have one).
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When I purchase the greatest products in the world - I expect them to be flawless.
 
rellimie said:
I just want to say that I got my new iPhone yesterday and love it. I usually hovered around 3 bars everywhere I went and now it's been a solid 4 to 5 in those same places.

I have tried like he'll to recreate the signal issues that have been reported but I can't. I held the phone as shown for 20 mintutes and it never dropped below 4 bars. I have no cases or anything on my phone. Does this just happen where AT&T signal is weak?
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im with you, ive been saying to anyone who will listen, guess i got one of the ones that works, my reception is perfect waay better than my 3g and 3gs.
people got bad batches i guess
 
ChrisJSNh said:
not true i had both my iphone 4's on 6/23 at 10 am. eastern time, i called them at 2 pm and complained ,, a long with a lot of other people on here
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Did you call in and complain because you saw a posting about the issue and decided to try it on your phone? Would you have even noticed had the news not broken about the issue? Was it because you were consistently getting more dropped calls than you had before and you noticed this issue on your own?

I suspect most of the complaints are the former (no I am not trying to say that applies specifically to your complaint, just asking the question.) There are many posts and some actual scientific analysis that shows the antenna performance is actually better than the previous models which corresponds to my experience with the two iPhone 4's that I have in my possession. There is also a lot of hyperbole around the issue that makes it very difficult to determine the severity.
 
emuneee said:
To be honest, I think this is in anticipation to the iPhone inevitably being offered on Verizon in 2011. With the announcement of:

a)rumours of Verizon's LTE network going live in November '10
b)rumours of the elusive Verizon iPhone

Since LTE operates on an entirely different frequency band (700MHz for Verizon) I'd guess this requires some new antenna design. It could also be CDMA compatible for operation where LTE is not available on Verizon's network.

Just thinking out loud. Of course this is all speculation...maybe Apple just needs more experience with antenna design.

Disclaimer: I own 0 Apple products before anyone accuses me of being blinded by fanboyism.
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good boy!

that's why we have mac discussion forums......... to analise, criticise and praise AAPL products if/where applicable?
😀
 
Hands on experience required!

Laughed at the irony of the requirement:

Must have working experience of antenna design and tests... Hands-on is a must

😀 Yep, that would help! 😀
 
JMB1911 said:
I don't have a fancy degree or nothing but I used to drive a truck...I always had to mess with my CB radio antenna and tweak it to get the most performance possible. It made shouting out for a lot lizard a lot easier. Do you think with my experience in antennas I ought to send in my resume?
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go girl go!

one level headed, non egotistic person is EXACTLY what  needs right now!

ps- one "word" of advice- do NOT park your truck in steve p jobs's mercedes parking bay!
 
deannnnn said:
Those were all posted before the iPhone 4 even came out, so clearly it's not "in response" to user complaints.
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I'm pretty sure lots of the reviewers, who get the goodies a few weeks before they are announced, have complained about signal strength.
 
too much beef...

I just recieved my iPad after winning it for free on EpicDraw.com and I must say although I havent paid for it I dont understand why everyone is beefing over all these issues with the iPad and iPhone? comon people
 
entr04y said:
Did you call in and complain because you saw a posting about the issue and decided to try it on your phone? Would you have even noticed had the news not broken about the issue? Was it because you were consistently getting more dropped calls than you had before and you noticed this issue on your own?

I suspect most of the complaints are the former (no I am not trying to say that applies specifically to your complaint, just asking the question.) There are many posts and some actual scientific analysis that shows the antenna performance is actually better than the previous models which corresponds to my experience with the two iPhone 4's that I have in my possession. There is also a lot of hyperbole around the issue that makes it very difficult to determine the severity.
Click to expand...

of course i noticed when i couldnt call out or receive calls when in my hand. I had called and and asked for help from apple before i even got online, i at first thought i got 2 factory defects. then i read the forums the day after

oh I didn't have a chance to "drop the call, the minute i picked the phone up it disconnected. so i never had a chance to really drop the call.

my iphone 3g and 3gs never ever had that problem.
And no i don't go by what other people say.

i sent both back and got my money back and reactivated my 3g and 3gs. and i can make calls holding the phones in either hand
 
The article is assuming that Apple is "beefing up" the antenna engineering staff. Another possible explanation is that Apple is trying to replace recently fired staff 😀
 
It's amazing really to experience the difference in sensitivity the iPhone 4 brings compared to the 3GS, and issues from holding the phone aside, reception is absolutely definitely improved. I felt like I was going places no iPhone had ever gone before. There's no doubt in my mind this iPhone gets the best cellular reception yet, even though measured signal is lower than the 3GS.

The new iPhone is designed poorly! They probably fired everyone1!!
 
i think when i grow up ill get a position at apple and remind them of this every time they make something, then get fired. but in the end if the thing works ill just feel good in side lol. but these were posted before the phone came out so they obviously just needed them anyway
 
pmz said:
"screwed" in the sense that we have a great product that works? Does it have a flaw...i think it might, but its a non-issue.

An "issue" would be a problem that prevents the device from working properly.

The iPhone 4 undoubtedly works properly (i Know, I have one).
Click to expand...

And for those people who have had serious issues regarding signal loss - is that not an issue?

Are you really saying that the signal problems on some iPhones aren't preventing the device from working properly? If so I'd like to sell you a car that stalls when you touch the steering wheel and a lift that actually moves horizontally rather than vertically.

The iPhone 4 is a great product and I look forward to getting one but you have to admit that having the CEO brush this off as a non-issue was a poor decision.

On another note: what happened to Apple? First we get all these product leaks and now all this? Have the staff at the top played musical chairs and forgotten where their original seats were?😀
 
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