Edit:
It is also interesting to note that Apple's lawyers have clearly been onto Anandtech as their wording has changed, in a subtle but important way since originally published.
It originally said:
"The fact of the matter is that either, Apple should add an insulative coating to the stainless steel band (which implies a recall), or subsidize bumper cases." (which puts the onus on apple to pay for the cost of the bumper)
Now it says:
"The fact of the matter is that either the most sensitive region of the antenna should have an insulative coating (next time round?), or everyone should use a case. (which puts the onus on the user to buy a bumper)
So you read stories and presume why changes were made and that is how you support your position? I am sure Anand would tell you if he was "gotten to" by Apple's lawyers. Never (in any version) did he conclude that the signal reduction was in fact a problem. He pointed out that the improved signal could be improved even more if they did something.
The problem for you, for each of these articles is that you add your own thoughts to them to make it fit your scenario. You quote something and then directly beneath it add your conclusion, even though the two are in no way related. I did not read the BBC article, but the CNN one and the Anandtech article in no way indicate there is a problem with the iPhone 4. Anand demonstrated a phenomenon, not a problem.
That's my point - people have lost a lot of respect for Apple in both design and handling of this issue, we expected more but many are very disappointed
So take it back. Apple has told you they plan to fix the phone. You have convinced yourself their fix won't work, even though you know nothing at all about the design or build of mobile phones. If you are unhappy and think they are lying to you, the solution is easy.
Perfectly serious? So taking your argument to it's logical conclusion, if a phone only worked within a 10m radius of a cell tower, that would be perfectly fine in your view because it would work "if you are in an area with a strong enough signal"
These are supposed to be mobile phones you know.
The question is, does the phone work in the same places other cell phones work. The answer is yes. Anand's test was interesting, but may misrepresent the impact on iPhone 3GS because they did not use iOS4. See below...
This is absolute ********! I've had my phone for a year (3GS) and never had reception problems until the new OS update.
Now, I get frequent searching / no signal issues. My only way to override it is to shut off the 3G. It would seem that if the phone has no 3G net work it is not defaulting and instead reports no signal.
I don't care what spin Apple puts on this. If there update fixes the problem then great, they covered their ass but at this point I'm furious that my phone isn't much more than a paper weight!
I am sorry. According to the people of Macrumors, this can not be caused by or fixed by a software issue. You will need to use more explatives in your rant, find a lawyer to start a class action suit, fake some steve jobs emails, and call Apple liars if they announce a fix.
The statement from Apple is complete nonsense! Do they think we are that stupid? I have first hand experienced that the iPhone 4 has real reception issues.
You are rejecting their fix because you feel they are lying. You will never be happy so return the phone. You have no basis for your belief they are lying. You simply read some BS by people who don't know anymore about the issue than you do and decided to believe them.
Good luck with that.
Wow, I'm sorry but the times when a company can just say 'tought s***' to the consumer is long past.
But putting the antenna so it is unavoidably touched while being used in a normal fashion is a design flaw and with all the dozens of pictures of the .
Bob, you are one of the few people here that I genuinely believe is having a problem. I don't understand why you have decided the fix Apple is working on can not fix the problem you are having. Buried in the noise are numerous reports from 3GS owners experiencing similar issues after iOS4. I asked you a lot of question, mostly because I think nearly everyone else claiming problems on here is lying and does not even own an iPhone 4.
Did you ask support to exchange your phone? Maybe you have already exchanged it once and I missed it.
So the bars we see now are erroneously represented *higher*? Sooo... this means that the person who has 2 bars *with a signal* now will get no bars and no signal after the update? This seems like it will take people with weak signals who *can* talk now, and make their phones paper weights with no chance of reception.
Don't get this one. Anyone?
The calculation can have an effect on a lot of things, and they will probably introduce other software changes that are too complicated to describe in a press release. The second sentence is speculation, but not atypical Apple behavior.
This is such a BS statement!
Are you kidding me?
IF this was a software based issue, I would be able to walk around town and the display would show NO signal and STILL be able to talk with the person on the other end.
Really why not? Please explain to use why it is impossible for reception to be affected by software in a digital receiver? Go on, tell us. You have already decided to be angry and not believe them, so nothing they can do will make you happy.
No, I'm not going to wait for the "fix." I'm going to put my bumper on my friends phone, which I haven't tried, and see if ends her issues. I always have better reception with the bumper than her standing in same spot. If placing the bumper on her phone gives her the reception I had, and vice versa, it's definitely not a software fix and done. That would be hardware. A bumper doesn't interact with the software, it interacts with the hardware.
So many people read Anad's article and had it fly over their head.. You know the signal drop does not indicate a problem in and of itself. The phone has a far superior antenna design, the effect of the drop is very much dependent on the starting point. You should do what you think is best, but you have no reason to doubt Apple's fix. (No , seriously you don't)
No, although you don't like to hear it, it is not.
There is a bunch of facts (like people having troubles with the reception, Apple issuing statements, SJ answering mails ... ) and then there is a ton of people on both sides of the fence reading whatever they want into articles. Just take that AnandTech report continuously cited from both sides claiming to support their point.
So, sorry for at least trying to keeps those things separated.
T.
You did not describe a single thing that fits the definition of the word fact. Other than Apple issuing a statement that is. The Anadtech report is mostly opinion (well informed, but not expert) and a little facts. Some of the facts are questionable because he did not use iOS 4..
Where did they say that ? Apple said there was a software issue with how bars are reported which makes them seem higher. They never addressed the bars dropping off to No Service when holding the phone.
They did say "You're in a weak signal area, you can return the phone for a refund". There is no fix coming.
Your opinion. You are creating a problem where none exists because you want there to be one. There is a fix coming. Just because you choose not to believe it, does not alter reality.
I don't understand.
If this is a software issue, why do some iPhone 4 users
in the same location have no problems while others do? And why would a 3GS running the same software not have the same issues?
Your statement does not indicate a hardware design issue, just some defective phones. The problem with all this noise on the Internet is that some people who have actual defective hardware are not calling Apple and exchanging their phone for one that works. There are people on this forum who have returned a phone without ever one asking for support.
1. This is not a design issue as a big majority of the ip4s are working just fine. It may be a software or one supplier providing faulty parts.
2.this external antenna is only the begining where more functionalites will be added to it such as solar charge or charge by skin touch. This is along with new laws being passed about cell phone magnetic radiation levels are the reasons apple is looking for new antenna engineer. Apple is thinking ahead.
Don't forget who apple is.
You are going to be ridiculed. The people who have convinced themselves it is a design issue have lost all grip on reality. Their egos are very invested in this strongly held opinion remaining true. The sad part is that none of them have the technical knowledge to form that opinion on their own. Shoot now I am going to be ridiculed. Oh Well.
I bought a iFrogz case for my iphone 4 and it still loses some bars and I can still get it to lose the data connection by holding it in my left hand. Is Apple's bumper case more effective at eliminating this problem?
Also, if you return the phone will the 2 year renewed contract with AT&T be nullified or will I have to pay the full unsubsidized price for a different phone if I wait a while to purchase another?
As I indicated above. Have you contacted technical support, described your issue and sought a resolution? If your issue was not resolved, did you escalate your problem to the next tier of support. There are always going to be defective devices in massive product launches. Don't let the noise on the Internet prevent you from behaving like a normal consumer.
