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Apple on iPhone 4 Reception: Signal Strength Display Issue Only, Software Update Coming

I leave for a few hours, and already the conspiracy theories are back.

I'll say this again, Apple is not against us. They, however, are trying to preserve the sales for the next couple of weeks before this update.

What we wanted them to say is this: "the software is interpreting attenuations as a loss of connection. The signal strength meter drops, but there are deep problems with the software that cause other side effects."

Instead Apple says: "the software is causing the bars to display incorrectly—the real signal is much lower than it's reporting; When it attenuates, it reports even lower than what the real signal is."

Apple reported the short, uncomplicated story; they're trying to downplay the problem for potential iPhone 4 buyers, prevent a mass exodus of returns, and buy themselves time to correct the underlying issue! I didn't expect anything more from them. Why the hell would they take 3 weeks to release a predominantly "cosmetic" bug fix?

Apple knows that their hand was forced. The PR situation has turned sour overnight: people are faking sjobs emails, droves of YouTube videos are being released demonstrating the problem, and people are demonstrating the problem live at Apple Retail stores. They needed to say something to get the press off of their back!

All I wanted them to say is: we're fixing the problem, whatever it is, and a software update will be out soon. I have enough of a hunch that the problem has to do with how the firmware (Baseband in particular) is dealing with the antennae, so I'm no longer worried about it. I may be wrong, but I think I've gotten enough information from the community, articles, and engineering students I know. In the end, we all must decide for ourselves what makes the most sense by whatever means will satisfy us.

What I am nervous about is that all of the media frenzy will get me in to real life arguments, "Hey, I heard the iPhone sucks... you suck for buying it!" Oh god.
 
Birra said:
So with all your blustering, Apple has still won, tough cookies. Consumer Reports and PCWorld say there is no problem with the iPhone 4 antenna, in fact it's the best antenna ever.

No one is listening to MacRumors, but thousands are listening to CR and PCW. So keep posting you Apple haters, the good guys have won.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/el...hes-os-os4-iphone4-reception-problems-in.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2004...iphone_4_signal_woes_overblown.html?tk=hp_blg
Click to expand...

Yep just repeat your post, that really helps.
 
keyofnight said:
All I wanted them to say is: we're fixing the problem, whatever it is, and a software update will be out soon. I have enough of a hunch that the problem has to do with how the firmware (Baseband in particular) is dealing with the antennae, so I'm no longer worried about it. I may be wrong, but I think I've gotten enough information from the community, articles, and engineering students I know. In the end, we all must decide for ourselves what makes the most sense by whatever means will satisfy us.
Click to expand...

I'm down with that. Same reasons, same hunch - plus my own experience. Was always dropping from 5 to 2 bars, did the SIM fix, now i usually only drop to 4. occasionally to 3. I know that's not conclusive evidence by any stretch, and doesn't mean that there aren't people out there still dropping calls all the time.
 
keyofnight said:
I leave for a few hours, and already the conspiracy theories are back.

I'll say this again, Apple is not against us. They, however, are trying to preserve the sales for the next couple of weeks before this update.

What we wanted them to say is this: "the software is interpreting attenuations as a loss of connection. The signal strength meter drops, but there are deep problems with the software that cause other side effects."

Instead Apple says: "the software is causing the bars to display incorrectly—the real signal is much lower than it's reporting; When it attenuates, it reports even lower than what the real signal is."

Apple reported the short, uncomplicated story; they're trying to downplay the problem for potential iPhone 4 buyers, prevent a mass exodus of returns, and buy themselves time to correct the underlying issue! I didn't expect anything more from them. Why the hell would they take 3 weeks to release a predominantly "cosmetic" bug fix?

Apple knows that their hand was forced. The PR situation has turned sour overnight: people are faking sjobs emails, droves of YouTube videos are being released demonstrating the problem, and people are demonstrating the problem live at Apple Retail stores. They needed to say something to get the press off of their back!

All I wanted them to say is: we're fixing the problem, whatever it is, and a software update will be out soon. I have enough of a hunch that the problem has to do with how the firmware (Baseband in particular) is dealing with the antennae, so I'm no longer worried about it. I may be wrong, but I think I've gotten enough information from the community, articles, and engineering students I know. In the end, we all must decide for ourselves what makes the most sense by whatever means will satisfy us.

What I am nervous about is that all of the media frenzy will get me in to real life arguments, "Hey, I heard the iPhone sucks... you suck for buying it!" Oh god.
Click to expand...
This is almost exactly the scenario I've been picturing in my head of the situation but could never find a way to articulate it. Thanks!:eek:
 
egret said:
ummmkay. The experts are coming down on the side of Apple one by one. In a few weeks when all the hysteria from the neanderthals who JUST CANT SEEM TO GET IT dies down...there will be hardly a mention of this topic at all. The iPhone will continue to break sales records and most people will go on about their lives.

Then you can come down off suicide watch, and you and your Droid can live happily ever after.

ROCK ON!
Click to expand...

+1 - history repeats itself...this is the same as iPhone 3G + iOS 2.0 release summer. Give it time, you're hardware will "automagically" be fixed with 4.0.1, or go find something else...
 
mackhydr4 said:
Here's a thought-

Return the phone.
Click to expand...

Please tell me why you think it is just ok for this to happen? How can you possibly think that this is normal and acceptable? Why should I be expected to return a phone that I spent my hard earned money on because the company that made it refuses to fix the issue. And for your information I would gladly return it and go back to my 3GS but considering I sold it the day I received my new phone that isn't really an option now is it?
 
citrate said:
Yep just repeat your post, that really helps.
Click to expand...

Okay, since you asked and have no retort.

Perhaps you citrate can't read. No one cares about your opinion. Do you comprehend? LOL

So with all your blustering, Apple has still won, tough cookies. Consumer Reports and PCWorld say there is no problem with the iPhone 4 antenna, in fact it's the best antenna ever.

No one is listening to MacRumors, but thousands are listening to CR and PCW. So keep posting you Apple haters, the good guys have won.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/el...hes-os-os4-iphone4-reception-problems-in.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2004...iphone_4_signal_woes_overblown.html?tk=hp_blg
 
dawso1ba said:
Please tell me why you think it is just ok for this to happen? How can you possibly think that this is normal and acceptable? Why should I be expected to return a phone that I spent my hard earned money on because the company that made it refuses to fix the issue. And for your information I would gladly return it and go back to my 3GS but considering I sold it the day I received my new phone that isn't really an option now is it?
Click to expand...

It absolutely is as 3Gs is still sold new, and you'll save $100 in the process.

You spent the money, they didn't force you to make the transaction. Undo it while you can and move on...we really don't mind.
 
Birra said:
Okay, since you asked and have no retort.

Perhaps you citrate can't read. No one cares about your opinion. Do you comprehend? LOL

So with all your blustering, Apple has still won, tough cookies. Consumer Reports and PCWorld say there is no problem with the iPhone 4 antenna, in fact it's the best antenna ever.

No one is listening to MacRumors, but thousands are listening to CR and PCW. So keep posting you Apple haters, the good guys have won.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/el...hes-os-os4-iphone4-reception-problems-in.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2004...iphone_4_signal_woes_overblown.html?tk=hp_blg
Click to expand...

I didn't realise that I asked anything? And I find it strange that you have to end so many comments with LOL.

Of course Apple have won, I've never said otherwise. But I feel that they could do better and so could you. I don't think that think people on here hate Apple, they just expected better. Hopefully you will understand this.
 
dawso1ba said:
Please tell me why you think it is just ok for this to happen? How can you possibly think that this is normal and acceptable? Why should I be expected to return a phone that I spent my hard earned money on because the company that made it refuses to fix the issue. And for your information I would gladly return it and go back to my 3GS but considering I sold it the day I received my new phone that isn't really an option now is it?
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, I forget Apple owes you this- Apple should have known you've sold your 3GS and now without phone---

Has ranting so far got anyone a working iPhone 4(those with issues, that is)?

The only ones being helped right now are the glory hounds (lawyers, rumor mongers).

All I'm saying is vote with your wallet and return your iPhone. If it was me, that's what I would do until Apple "fixes" this problem.
 
dawso1ba said:
Please tell me why you think it is just ok for this to happen? How can you possibly think that this is normal and acceptable? Why should I be expected to return a phone that I spent my hard earned money on because the company that made it refuses to fix the issue. And for your information I would gladly return it and go back to my 3GS but considering I sold it the day I received my new phone that isn't really an option now is it?
Click to expand...

Kinda only have yourself to blame, don'tcha?
 
Peabody said:
It absolutely is as 3Gs is still sold new, and you'll save $100 in the process.

You spent the money, they didn't force you to make the transaction. Undo it while you can and move on...we really don't mind.
Click to expand...

Look I'm really happy for you that you are either not having an issue with your phone or that you just simply don't care that you bought a phone that does not work like it is supposed to. But I find it to be ********. Apple is playing us for fools and certainly some people maybe you included are eating it up.
 
Birra said:
So with all your blustering, Apple has still won, tough cookies. Consumer Reports and PCWorld say there is no problem with the iPhone 4 antenna, in fact it's the best antenna ever.

No one is listening to MacRumors, but thousands are listening to CR and PCW. So keep posting you Apple haters, the good guys have won.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/el...hes-os-os4-iphone4-reception-problems-in.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2004...iphone_4_signal_woes_overblown.html?tk=hp_blg
Click to expand...

Birra said:
So with all your blustering, Apple has still won, tough cookies. Consumer Reports and PCWorld say there is no problem with the iPhone 4 antenna, in fact it's the best antenna ever.

No one is listening to MacRumors, but thousands are listening to CR and PCW. So keep posting you Apple haters, the good guys have won.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/el...hes-os-os4-iphone4-reception-problems-in.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2004...iphone_4_signal_woes_overblown.html?tk=hp_blg
Click to expand...

Birra said:
Perhaps you citrate can't read. No one cares about your opinion. Do you comprehend? LOL

So with all your blustering, Apple has still won, tough cookies. Consumer Reports and PCWorld say there is no problem with the iPhone 4 antenna, in fact it's the best antenna ever.

No one is listening to MacRumors, but thousands are listening to CR and PCW. So keep posting you Apple haters, the good guys have won.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/el...hes-os-os4-iphone4-reception-problems-in.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2004...iphone_4_signal_woes_overblown.html?tk=hp_blg
Click to expand...

Birra said:
Okay, since you asked and have no retort.

Perhaps you citrate can't read. No one cares about your opinion. Do you comprehend? LOL

So with all your blustering, Apple has still won, tough cookies. Consumer Reports and PCWorld say there is no problem with the iPhone 4 antenna, in fact it's the best antenna ever.

No one is listening to MacRumors, but thousands are listening to CR and PCW. So keep posting you Apple haters, the good guys have won.

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/el...hes-os-os4-iphone4-reception-problems-in.html

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2004...iphone_4_signal_woes_overblown.html?tk=hp_blg
Click to expand...

Kübler-Ross's stage one: denial.
 
mackhydr4 said:
I'm sorry, I forget Apple owes you this- Apple should have known you've sold your 3GS and now without phone---

Has ranting so far got anyone a working iPhone 4(those with issues, that is)?

The only ones being helped right now are the glory hounds (lawyers, rumor mongers).

All I'm saying is vote with your wallet and return your iPhone. If it was me, that's what I would do until Apple "fixes" this problem.
Click to expand...

So let me get this straight... You don't even have the new phone? Why are you even here?
 
All I can say is I'm impressed with how fast this thread has grown.

I have yet to drop a single call with my iPhone or have any signal issues at all.
I have had a case on it since literally the minute I bought it and will continue to until the next iPhone comes out and I replace this one.

...or I sell this one on eBay for $1000 and then use my other upgrade to get a new one...:D

Fink :apple:
 
Peabody said:
It absolutely is as 3Gs is still sold new, and you'll save $100 in the process.

You spent the money, they didn't force you to make the transaction. Undo it while you can and move on...we really don't mind.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Lost sales speaks louder than ranting. Those who genuinely got screwed by the antenna issue should just return their phones and get a refund until Apple address the issue.

dawso1ba said:
So let me get this straight... You don't even have the new phone? Why are you even here?
Click to expand...

Because people like you won't return them. So I'm still stuck waiting for AT&T to ship my order. I can't wait for the refurbs.
 
mackhydr4 said:
Because people like you won't return them. So I'm still stuck waiting for AT&T to ship my order. I can't wait for the refurbs.
Click to expand...

Maybe you should consider experiencing an issue before you start talking **** about it. You know what I hope they don't fix it so when you get your phone you can experience the 'non-issue' first hand.
 
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