But why did they put it in such a stupid place? Why didn't they put it somewhere that wasn't going to be covered when holding the device normally? That's what I want to know
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Apple Beginning to Process Refunds for iPhone 4 Bumpers
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But why did they put it in such a stupid place? Why didn't they put it somewhere that wasn't going to be covered when holding the device normally? That's what I want to know
I am (was?) a fan of many thingsbut the way they handled this is, imo, a kick in the balls.
That is certainly an opinion.
As an apple user and shareholder I was impressed by the conference.
It did the best they could do under the circumstances.
An explanation and context
Free bumpers for those that can live with the dead spot
Refunds for those that can't.
This is reality - whining about it is really not going to do anything but ruin your day.
Make your choice.
Live with it.
Have a nice day.
The only thing they are losing is the cost to make the bumpers, probably under a dollar per bumper. The profits come from the sale of the bumpers, if they were to be sold regularly for instance. So they aren't really losing $30 per bumper.
I think you're getting the issue confused. I don't expect Jobs to answer why the phone loses signal when you touch the antenna, because that always happens, regardless of what phone you have. What I want him to answer is why they put the antenna where they did, and what they plan to do to fix *that* issue - I.e., move the antenna, give it a non-conductive coating, etc, etc. He didn't answer that at all.
Aww! So much for the "Apple knew all along" conspiracy theory some continue to argue. Thanks.
Anyway, don't rush to judgment on this. Consider the fact that the bumper was backordered before we even started receiving our phones.
When customers "get a credit", how long do we normally have to wait to see it on our account? Seriously.
How can they "suffer from the same issue" if their antennas are on the inside? You don't even know what the problem is do you.
...And yet the reception is even better with a bumper. In other words you're quoting out of context and you're reading too much into the use of the word external. Since you like Anandtech, check out this article: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3821/iphone-4-redux-analyzing-apples-ios-41-signal-fix/3
I'm not really upset that the iPhone has issues. A lot of first generation products from Apple have issues and are still quite usable. I have a first generation alu macbook that I like, even though the screen is not very good. I knew full well there was a risk by buying first generation. This is not just the case with Apple.
I do find it regrettable that Apple had to bend the truth so hard it broke at the press conference. The fact is that the iPhone has the problems all phones have, and the additional problem regarding bridging the antennas that other phones don't have.
That's why a bumper fixes the problem.
Anyway, I realize a self respecting (or otherwise) fanboy would never agree to that but it is the facts none the less.
Bottom line: Free bumpers is a good workaround. Just don't lie about it.
I'm more interested in what the long term fix is. Come the end of September, unless Apple have changed the design, the issue will remain, and the complaints will continue.
What have Apple done to fix this? Are they redesinging the phone with the antenna moved? Are they giving the antenna some sort of non-conductive coating? Why haven't Apple told us how they are fixing this? All they've done is said here's a bandaid until the end of September.
The press conference was essentially useless because they didn't answer those questions and we're still none the wiser. All they told us is what we already know - phones loose signal when you touch the antenna.
I respectfully disagree. He briefly talked about "x marks the spot" in that they made the "spot" clearly visible so you would know exactly where not to touch the phone in poor signal areas. I know what you're saying, you want to know why the "spot" isn't somewhere else. But I believe he stated it was a design decision and that they "didn't think it was big deal" since all phones lose signal when held. I'm not saying it is the right answer, but an answer none the less.
The "issue" is losing signal when the phone is held, correct? If all phones do this, then the location of the antenna is irrelevant.
Yes, I want to know why they put the 'spot' right where you hold the device. Through their 'design' they have simply exacerbated the problem. Clearly it was a very poor design choice this time around, and I want to know what they plan to do to fix that.
a) move the 'spot'
b) give it a non-conductive coating
c) do nothing
d) something else.
Have you ever considered they may not know yet?
Bumpers for those that want - refunds for those that don't
The rest is just conjecture and whining.
MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW YET. Sheesh
Well, you should be. There is a problem - they don't know to fix it.
Take the bumper
or
take it back
If you can't live with neither - the problem lies not in
but elsewhere.But that's only happening till the end of September IIRC. What's happening after that?
I really hope they do know how to fix this since they've given themselves an end of September deadline to have it sorted.
That's just to make the offer limited instead of promising free bumpers perpetually. The offer might be extended after that. Or not.
The phone has been out a month - and in the first 3 weeks they haven't been able to find an easy fix.
So what they have done is set a date in 2 months time to try and find a way forward.
When there is something to say - they will say it.
Its unlikely there will be a recall - so if you can't live with the bumper solution, get a refund and wait till 4Gs.
They won't.
Until there is something to be said - nothing will be said.
Wait till September.
If you can't - take the refund.
Fingers crossed then that it's fixed by the end of September otherwise I guess the free bumpers will continue.
I suggest you watch the press conference again. It was clearly stated that the 30 Sep deadline was to give them time to further investigate the problem, come up with something better (if possible), reevaluate the situation and go from there. I find it hard to believe that the reception issue affects you to the point where you can't wait for Apple to find a better solution.
Well let's hope it is completely resolved by then and that this doesn't drag on any further.
Yes. The future is not yet written.
Your patience in this matter will be your own reward.
Stay
Did you sleep the last days? It´s a minor issue.
Anyway, your post reads a little paranoid. What I also do not understand: You say Apple thinks of "us" as fools, but still you want to get an iphone and become their "fool". Strange.
It makes no sense at all to wait until Sept 30th. You are just assuming their will be a new iphone.
I love me some Apples, and even thought this antenna issue is overblown, there is a flaw, and it's right that they refund bumper purchases. I gotta think these $30 bumpers were like $29.50 pure profit for them - so this definitely stings their wallet a bit...as well as neutralizes a ridiculously overpriced item.
Right now there's prolly some really tired, overtime workin', antenna engineers over in Cupertino right now.
Right now there's prolly some really tired, overtime workin', antenna engineers over in Cupertino right now.
I am baffled by people who seem to think aren't VERY INTERESTED INDEED about getting this issue fixed.
aren't VERY INTERESTED INDEED about getting this issue fixed.You're insane. It should be one per customer. There's no way for Apple to know you weren't just buying spares. I'd call them, or explain the situation to them. But I can definitely see why Apple wouldn't have refunded you for all 5.