Apple Holding iPhone 4 Press Conference on Friday

[sfwalter]

My money is that Apple says the press is over exaggerating and that they attack Consumer Reports head on. I just really don't see Apple ever admitting that they messed up. It's not in their nature to admit anything that they do is wrong, so I don't see them starting now.

While this is a big stupid design error (and one that they obviously knew existed before it came out), the fact remains that the average iPhone user doesn't use their phone for anything so probably doesn't even recognize the issue. And by average I don't consider anyone here average. AT&T said that 94% of iPhone users on their network are less than 200MB a month. If you can stay under 200MB it means you don't do a damn thing on your phone. Wi-Fi is not yet available in enough public areas to be on Wi-Fi 24/7 so if you DO find yourself on Wi-Fi that much it means you're at home or Starbucks and you're never using your phone when you're outside.

Mobile minute usage has gone down tremendously in favor of messaging and I'd put my job on it that anyone who IS having a problem with this issue thinks it's AT&T's fault with reception before they even consider it to be an Apple related issue.

So, if I was a gambling man, I'm going with Apple pulling a Matrix-like "there is no spoon" and saying that there is no issue and that the media is just blowing this way out of proportion.

I actually would be shocked if Apple admits they aren't perfect and messed up and actually does something about it.

I hope Apple does the exact opposite. I would have more respect for them if they admit the mistake and resolve the issue.

 

[motulist]

N.B.

All businesses use friday announcements for when they're releasing bad news that they want the media to ignore.

 

[saxon48]

An official Steve Jobs demo: Holding your new iPhone 4. Some Do's and Don'ts.

 

[CalebF]

Yeah! Free duct tape.

Sure won't be free bumpers. After all they told their CSR not to "appease" angry customers w/ free bumpers.

But maybe when they have this much egg on their face, they may be forced to... which shows you what a "stellar" company they are.

 

[Neil1138]

In for fail

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

white iphone availability announcement lol

This is why there was the delay for the white ones... Apple knew of this defect before it shipped so they are scrambling to fix the white ones. I guess it's best to sell a known defective product then to sit on the product and not make any money at all to fix the problem later.

 

[suade8880]

After all of these complaints and no appreciation, Apple is sticking it to us and announce that they will be getting out of the phone business.

No really, this should interesting.

 

[Tyre]

No way they publicly attack consumer reports; you guys are getting carried away with that. They know CR has both a good reputation (not one to crusade against) and performed solid, unbiased tests on their product.

There will be not recall, for reasons already posted above. I can see free bumpers (with Mr. Ives sulking in the corner) but that's as far as they'll go.

But it really would be more fun if they announced the white iPhone 4 and ended with "no questions."

 

[fredeil]

White iPhone without a defect antenna system. pls

 

[JPark]

My money is that Apple says the press is over exaggerating and that they attack Consumer Reports head on. I just really don't see Apple ever admitting that they messed up. It's not in their nature to admit anything that they do is wrong, so I don't see them starting now.

While this is a big stupid design error (and one that they obviously knew existed before it came out), the fact remains that the average iPhone user doesn't use their phone for anything so probably doesn't even recognize the issue. And by average I don't consider anyone here average. AT&T said that 94% of iPhone users on their network are less than 200MB a month. If you can stay under 200MB it means you don't do a damn thing on your phone. Wi-Fi is not yet available in enough public areas to be on Wi-Fi 24/7 so if you DO find yourself on Wi-Fi that much it means you're at home or Starbucks and you're never using your phone when you're outside.

Mobile minute usage has gone down tremendously in favor of messaging and I'd put my job on it that anyone who IS having a problem with this issue thinks it's AT&T's fault with reception before they even consider it to be an Apple related issue.

So, if I was a gambling man, I'm going with Apple pulling a Matrix-like "there is no spoon" and saying that there is no issue and that the media is just blowing this way out of proportion.

I actually would be shocked if Apple admits they aren't perfect and messed up and actually does something about it.

For me this would be Apple's absolute worst case response (short of just turning around and mooning the camera). The problems with my phone have annoyed me a bit, but it's Apple's response to the problems that's really pissed me off.

 

[levitynyc]

Mac Pro announcement.

 

[Compile 'em all]

I can only imagine they'd be holding a press conference if they were really going to do something about the problem.

Exactly. Why would they hold a press conference and then repeat what they said in the PR press release?

 

[CalebF]

Note: In previous years, the White House would often release bad news late Friday so it gets lost in the weekend and too late for a fresh 'news cycle', thus mitigating damaging news. Another thing I wouldn't put past Apple.

 

[xyz1534]

Mashable had a great article on what Apple needs to do.

1. Acknowledge That the Antenna Problem Is Real
2. Go into the Technical Details
3. Roll Out the Software Update
4. Make the Bumpers Free
5. No Matter What, Don’t Issue an iPhone 4 Recall

Just read the article...I have to admit I agree with the don't issue a recall....

 

[Brien]

Mashable had a great article on what Apple needs to do.

1. Acknowledge That the Antenna Problem Is Real
2. Go into the Technical Details
3. Roll Out the Software Update
4. Make the Bumpers Free
5. No Matter What, Don’t Issue an iPhone 4 Recall

Totally agree. Not to point out all of those who are currently on priority lists or waiting for white iPhone would be ****ed.

 

[pbateman]

They'll introduce the iGlove...a revolutionary magical product that allows you to make phone calls on your iphone 4.

 

[Tyre]

N.B.

All businesses use friday announcements for when they're releasing bad news that they want the media to ignore.

It also lets the news settle in so Wall Street doesn't go crazy.

EDIT: Missed that it was at 10am, so trading would be in session, but still give Apple the weekend for things to calm down.

 

[wackymacky]

What is with the bumpers? Don't you just need to put a thin coat of transparent lacquer around the edge of the phone.

Now that would only cost a cent or two per phone.

 

[Portal83]

Definately don't think there'll be a recall, but was just waiting for Apple's official response to the hysteria.

I assume they'll acknowledge but downplay how widespread it is. Considering the 'duct-tape' fix, I wouldn't be surprised if they say...

..."if you are one of the few experiencing signal loss issues, you can bring it to an Apple Store..." for either a bumper or an Apple solution that will cover just the antenna.

 

[miki66]

so this is the "big thing"

 

[BJB Productions]

Yeah! Free duct tape.

Made me laugh.

 

[TheJuggla17]

They are going to say one of these two things.

1. Hello. White iphone 4 will be available starting in end of July. Get ready pre-order next week! Yea... Consumer report is wrong. We hired our own engineers and they have concluded that all of you guys are just holding your phones wrong. Non-issue... Software will somehow make every problem go away. It becomes magical. Did I mention about retina display?

2. VERY VERY FEW users are reporting some issues about iphone 4 antenna. We took us time because we had to investigate. In our testing lab, we did not find any problems. But, did you see what happened to our stock prices in past few days? As soon as those bastards at consumer reports released their review on iphone 4, our stock priced dropped. So, we decided that it would be cheaper to just issue 30 dollars gift card to everyone who has bought iphone 4 than just watch and our stock prices fall. So, here is a deal. Please tell our investors to stop selling our stocks. I will monitor our stocks for few days and if they go back up, we will give your free bumpers. Happy now?

"Did I mention about retina display"

Hahaha!

 

[Brien]

N.B.

All businesses use friday announcements for when they're releasing bad news that they want the media to ignore.

A.) It's 10AM. Plenty of time for blogs, MSNBC, etc. to pick up on whatever it is they say.

B.) It's APPLE. They could hold the conference in Siberia at 3am on a Sunday and it'd still be all over the news.

 

[frdmfghtr]

"...Apple will be holding a press conference..."

I hope Apple holds it the right way

 

[Tyre]

I can't just be about the antenna issue. They could simply issue a press release making a statement. (i.e. free bumpers or we're working on it and will have a recall soon). Something else will be announced too.

But Apple isn't about press releases when things get this out of hand. They know the press gets all bleary eyed when Steve comes out and smiles and gives a little chat to his flock.

They need to personally address the issue and show that they care.

This is a good move by Apple.