I did it! Worked great! Thank you.
http://www.powerbookmedic.com/wordpress/2010/07/02/iphone-4-reception-problem-fix-it-today
haha...I like.
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Apple on iPhone 4 Reception: Signal Strength Display Issue Only, Software Update Coming
- Thread starter fruitbat04
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http://www.powerbookmedic.com/wordpress/2010/07/02/iphone-4-reception-problem-fix-it-today
haha...I like.
I'm afraid that simile doesn't quite fit. It's more:
~130 years after the invention of photography one camera manufacturer decides to radically reposition the lens 90° to the viewfinder/display and insists everyone radically adjust the way they have always held the camera.
Sorry, but no-one can claim to be a world leading phone designer and insist that you're holding it wrong. Though perhaps that is what they meant by "This changes everything, again."
WHy do you insist on irrelevancies. Are we in the early history of photography? No? So tell me who expects to be able to take a photograph with their hand in front of the lens? I know you love your metaphor, but it sucks.
The issue can't be that bad then eh? I mean it is a phone. If it does not make calls and does not send data, how does loving it override those basic facts. So either people are exaggerating the problems with the phones, or they are crazy for not returning them.
This is complete crap from Apple. Guess what Apple, I am on a MICROCELL. You know, that device I purchased to improve my signal at home? You know what else? It gives me 5 FULL BARS!
Now here's the kicker that tells me you're lying out of your ass! When I hold my phone that is connected to my Microcell that gets 5 full bars, you know - holding it like I am NOT suppose to?
I lose all bars and it goes to NO SERVICE. All this while I am connected to a Microcell.
Apple please explain to me how that is a software problem? It's not just my new iPhone 4. It's also my brothers new iPhone 4 as well.
Please EXPLAIN THAT TO ME!
They did explain it to you. Right in the letter that is the topic of this thread. What part of their explanation do you not understand. The specifically explained it.
You just prove what they say. You go from a place with a good signal to one with a poor signal and you have a bad connection. Your anecdotal experience is proof of what apple is saying here is correct.
What other phones do you know of with an external antenna design have you tried this on?
Apple may 'fix' the iPhone 3G as well to also show lower bars. So your 4 and 3GS may still show the same bars. Woohoo! So much for a fix...
Really old ones with external stick out or pull up aerials. It's been done before.
People of a certain age know about touching their TV rabbit ears.
Yeah that would work, but I don't think many of those calls would be successful. They should ask everyone to mail in their phone for a fix and send it back with a bumper glued on
.There is no possibility of a recall - I think that's pretty clear -- That would be a huge money loss for Apple and at this point, it only impacts areas with less than stellar reception, and so it won't impact a large percentage of customers on a day-to-day basis...
Of course it's frustrating for the ones that use their phone 90% of the time in these areas, especially since we know this is an issue new to the iphone 4 and Apple pretends nothing is wrong. And I think as time goes on, others will run into issues when on vacation, or travelling out of their normal areas, but again, not enough to cause Apple to eat the costs of a recall.
I do think that Apple should provide some sort of case to address this issue for free (bumper or something new they come out with). I still think Apple was aware of this issue, and for them to charge $29 for a case is adding salt to the wound. I wouldn't use the case as I despise cases, but I feel like it would at least make it appear that they did care about their customers.
Of course it's frustrating for the ones that use their phone 90% of the time in these areas, especially since we know this is an issue new to the iphone 4 and Apple pretends nothing is wrong. And I think as time goes on, others will run into issues when on vacation, or travelling out of their normal areas, but again, not enough to cause Apple to eat the costs of a recall.
I do think that Apple should provide some sort of case to address this issue for free (bumper or something new they come out with). I still think Apple was aware of this issue, and for them to charge $29 for a case is adding salt to the wound. I wouldn't use the case as I despise cases, but I feel like it would at least make it appear that they did care about their customers.
I'm going to hold my opinion of their response until after i see the update. So many of you seem to forget that drivers/firmware are the interface between the hardware and the software. Just like a computer, the iPhone has this same interfacing going on. It's not like it's unheard of that hardware problems have been fixed with drivers/software updates (one comparison could be made to wireless routers and the firmware updates they get)
The thing I don't like about this is that they're only giving a 30 day return window, yet the update might not even be out for 3 more weeks. My window would likely be expired by then, so if the update doesn't fix it, I'm kinda stuck.
The thing I don't like about this is that they're only giving a 30 day return window, yet the update might not even be out for 3 more weeks. My window would likely be expired by then, so if the update doesn't fix it, I'm kinda stuck.
You gotta hand it to Apple PR - most average users just know there is a reception issue. They release a retardo statement, making it sound like what they're doing is going to fix actually problems. Clearly, we know differently but I guess they believe they'll be able to successfully con 95% of the population into buying one.
I am begining to detest Apple, and everything they now seem to stand for. They are a nasty organisation and I for one won't ever be buying a product of theirs again.
I am begining to detest Apple, and everything they now seem to stand for. They are a nasty organisation and I for one won't ever be buying a product of theirs again.
+1. Other people will start to notice when they go to areas that are more affected. I think this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Uh, yeah. All phones have attenuation if you cover their antenna with your hand. However, this is DIFFERENT because you're actually touching the antenna with your hand.
NO OTHER PHONE uses an external antenna around the sides of the phone. Yes, it looks "pretty" but it's not very functional, since you put your hand on it. This attenuates the antenna... and when the gap is bridged between the two antennas by your hand, the antenna becomes detuned (because the electrical length of the antenna changes) and loses all signal.
This is why no one's ever done it this way, because it's a stupid idea. At the very least, Apple could have covered the metal with some type of coating to insulate it... This would have fixed the issue, but it wouldn't have looked as "cool" as just having a pure stainless steel frame.
I'm actually an Electrical Engineer studying antennas and microwaves, so thanks for the suggestion on reading up on my field.
In any event, a REAL EXPERT that used to work for Motorola's FCC testing says that Apple's design is fundamentally flawed and needs a complete redesign. Which will take time, since they'll have to go through the FCC testing procedure all over again and submit it for re-approval.
Maybe you need to get your head out of the sand and read a little more yourself, buddy.
I don't recall ever mentioning Gizmodo... so thanks for putting words in my mouth. I don't even go to Gizmodo for tech news. So much for your assumptions. (What is it that they say about assumptions, now?)
All the tech sites (and even non-tech sites) are covering the antenna issue. It's a shame that someone would take Apple's word over REAL EXPERTS (whom you suggested I should be reading up on, BTW). Maybe you need to take your own advice.
Yeah, you can adjust some stuff in software. I'll give you that. The antenna is tuned to a wide range of frequencies, so some may not be AS AFFECTED by this issue as others... However, if you're hoping for a miracle fix, you should prepare yourself for a big let-down. The hardware is still going to be flawed.
No, but we are early in the history of tiny portable devices with powerful microwave antennas. How many years were between the new "magical" Brownie and the public's common use of SLRs and the like?
Helllllooo!!! Comments like the one above, should be the highest rated, and people like juan370Z [Juan said he had 3 IP4s - 2 of which have the problem and 1 which doesn't]and the Engadget team who also have some pones with no issue, and phones with the issue, should do some more thorough testing.
If some phone in fact does not have this problem, then it is not a construction error, but a production error on some of the phones. Only people who has more than one iPhone 4, where one has reception issues and one does not should be allowed to talk on this issue, the rest is just noise!
If it in fact should turn out to be a construction error, then I made this hardware upgrade suggestion to Apple:
Best regards
Kim Neeper Rasmussen
Ultimate Photorealism
You are absolutely right about that.
The vast majority of posts are either "my IP4 and all my friends IP4s are all fine" or "my IP4 and all my friends IP4s have reception issues" - which strongly suggests that location/signal strength is the issue and all IP4s will behave the same way in the same location.
But just occasionally a post like juan's slips through. There is also a lady that says her husbands phone suffers badly but hers does not. These posts need further examination I would be very grateful if Juan or that lady could provide some video evidence of 2 IP4s behaving differently in the same location (one showing the problem, the other not).
Despite hundreds of pages of forum posts on this issue, no one has been able to do that yet. Believe me, I would love to see that video as it would mean there was a chance of exchanging my flawed IP4 for an unflawed one. But until I see any evidence to the contrary, I believe that every IP4 suffers from 20db attenuation when the black bar on the bottom left is covered - which depending on your particular location/signal strength may mean that you lose bars and drop calls/data or you don't.
Great Pic too!
Welcome to the real world. Companies don't care about you. Only your money. All companies are just as bad. And if I was apple, like Hell I would admit a fault. Just keep in racking in those $$$$$. All 1.7 million x 200 of them.
Yes -- very unfortunate, but I think that is their way of saying this fix will not address the issue, and if anything, your phone will show 1 or no bars in problem areas (even without holding the phone) so it will no longer be their issue, it will be an ATT reception issue. Regardless of the fact that previous iphones work just fine in these same areas.
If there was any hope of this addressing the true issue, I would think Apple would extend their return window.
Yes -- very unfortunate, but I think that is their way of saying this fix will not address the issue, and if anything, your phone will show 1 or no bars in problem areas (even without holding the phone) so it will not longer be their issue, it will be an ATT reception issue. Regardless of the fact that previous iphones work just fine in these same areas.
If there was any hope of this addressing the true issue, I would think Apple would extend their return window.
Hmmmm....perhaps this is what Steve meant by it getting worse before it got better??!
I tried several iPhone 4's at my local AT&T store and all had 5 bars, and never dropped a single bar no matter how i held them. This was my first chance to test it out because i'm waiting for the white iPhone 4 before i purchase. The few i saw seemed fine to me.
You would think that a patent attorney would know that people embedded in technological history often don't know that they are a part of it.
It's NOT $200!!!
It's not $200. You pay $200 for the telecom company, which pays Apple around $600. In return, they can lock you into a lengthy contract.
In the UK and in other European countries, you can buy the iPhone 4 unlocked, unsubsidised. It is an $800 phone.
Otherwise I agree. They don't want to admit as they would hurt sales. Which is a disgrace and I hope that the relevant authorities will investigate.
It's not $200. You pay $200 for the telecom company, which pays Apple around $600. In return, they can lock you into a lengthy contract.
In the UK and in other European countries, you can buy the iPhone 4 unlocked, unsubsidised. It is an $800 phone.
Otherwise I agree. They don't want to admit as they would hurt sales. Which is a disgrace and I hope that the relevant authorities will investigate.
Don't like the official response by Apple? Speak with your wallet and return the damn thing. Truely the only way to to get through to companies.
I know I am way behind in this thread and falling further behind, but this sentiment can't be said enough.
For people who are having issues with their phone now that are making it unusable and can't find any relief from holding it differently and/or using a case, this change will not "fix" things for them, so just return the phone.
Like I said above, this is not some kind of magic fix. It is simply a redesign of the feedback data so people better understand what is happening with their connection. It will do absoluely nothing to the connection quality itself. So if you are having massive problems with connection quality that you can not fix with any of the previous advised methods, this fix will not change that, so don't wait. I don't want you waiting thinking this is some kind of magic fix and then claiming Apple tricked you to stay past your 30 days.
I am telling you now, so you have been forewarned. If you have constant call drops where you are and nothing helps (from cases to holding it differently), nothing will improve for you with this change. Just return it now.
Seems unlikely. Once the patch comes out, and it is past the initial 30 days, people will claim Apple mislead them to keeping their phones past 30 days, which obviously is not true.
I don't know if I can explain how amazing your post is. It is so ignorant and self-righteous at the same time, it is amazing.
Just so you know, when you grip the phone like that you are physically interfering with the actual cell signal going from the cell tower to the phone. This is pretty basic stuff.
Actually they do pretty clearly explain it.
Everyone will hold their breath waiting for the software fix which by the way will come after most everyones 30 day return window and you'll all be stuck with a great gadget but lousy phone!!!!!!!!
I'm still using my 3GS and I don't have reception problems when I hold my phone normally and naturally.
This is not over for Apple people!!!!!! They won't get away by masking the problem and Steve Jobs reality distortion field will not work this time!!!!!!
They never said there was a problem. They have said there is an issue with how data is being reported to users which makes them think things are happening that are not. At the end of the day people who are in poor signal areas are having problems with their phones. If this is you, then return it now. Don't wait 4 more weeks and then go crazy again here on Mac Rumors talking about how Apple tricked you to not being able to return it.
We are telling you to return it now. This patch will not fix you problem if you are experiencing lots of drop calls and data slow downs and you are using a case and avoiding holding your phone in that area.
You are right. This is not a "fix". It is simply a more accurate display of reception data so people know when they are in poor signal areas and might experience impacted service.
I don't know how anyone who read Apple's letter got out of it that they are introducing a "fix" for this problem. They flat out say there is not a problem. Either people did not read the letter and just guessed what it said, or don't have good reading comprehension.
That is why I have decided to try and explain it over and over. I feel it is a public service I am providing. I am not sure why so many people here did not understand this straight forward and basic letter, but they don't.
What does what you have spent on the Apple eco system have to do with buying a new iPhone?