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Apple Preps for Verizon iPhone Launch With New Bumpers, Vacation Blackouts

*LTD* said:
I never understood the need. Death grip or not, my iPhone 4 doesn't drop calls, doesn't lose signal when in an area with decent coverage, etc. I don't know anyone here that has such issues.

I'm on the Rogers network in Canada.

A buddy of mine asked about where to get a good bumper for his iPhone 4. I thought he was crazy. Then I realized he bought into all the anti-iPhone 4 baloney that was spread some months ago. Nice to see that reality (the reality of sales, that is) has cut through all the crap. He did what I did: bought a very nice Sena leather "Ultraslim" pouch and he's good to go.

All in all, I just feel sorry for users that have to live with US carriers.
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I can easily make my iPhone 4 go from full signal + 3G, to 'No Service' by holding it with my skin touching the part on the antenna.

I tried a case but found it not to my liking, in the end I just developed a new way of holding it, so that it is untouched on the bottom left black line, which now just feels natural.

I know a lot of people just jumped on the Apple hate wagon, and bitched despite not even owning one. But that doesn't mean the problem is very real. Of the 9 people I know with iPhone 4's, all can replicate the problem with a single finger.

I guess it's now all forgotten about because Apple seems to be able to get away with more than other companies, and has a much more loyal fan base than most.
 
Ah, this might explain why the white bumper I bought on Wednesday for my fiancée's iPhone felt different to the black ones we both had before - the rubber felt noticeably firmer.
 
MarximusMG said:
Easy on the sarcasm, I was just pointing out the fact that some people care about this for a good reason.
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I fail to see this "good" reason for caring.

Obviously, we all knew that Apple would provide modified bumpers for the phone
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'Obviously' is correct. And you'll have a hundred more to ogle over 2 days after the thing is launched.
 
Spanky Deluxe said:
Ah, this might explain why the white bumper I bought on Wednesday for my fiancée's iPhone felt different to the black ones we both had before - the rubber felt noticeably firmer.
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My mom's orange one which she got last month is the same way. It also feels slightly more loose.
 
Was I the only one who thought it was flippin hard to use the mute switch with the bumper on? Number one reason I ditched it.

Maybe my fingers should lose weight...!
 
MacRumors said:
Meanwhile, BGR reports that Apple has issued a blackout on vacations for its U.S. retail store employees between February 5th and 18th in order to handle the expected rush generated by the Verizon iPhone when it launches on February 10th. The company is also reportedly planning for extended hours at its store to handle the crush.
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So, are the phones only going to be available through authorized Apple retailers? Or will Verizon stores have the handsets as well? I was thinking I'd be able to go down the block to the Verizon store and wait in line for a phone, the only Apple retailers in my town are Best Buy and the Student Store on the university campus...

I'm assuming Apple's online store will offer them the same as the AT&T version, no?
 
mcmlxix said:
... The issue with audio out is one of size or thickness. It works fine with the provided ear buds, but the male part of external speaker cables is often surrounded by thicker rubber. I think it’s silly to have to remove the bumper in order to play music on a proper sound system.
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Amen! Why they didn't/can't make that hole a little bigger is beyond me. Such a simple thing that would have sold so many more.
 
jonnysods said:
Was I the only one who thought it was flippin hard to use the mute switch with the bumper on? Number one reason I ditched it.

Maybe my fingers should lose weight...!
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I had problems with third party cables for charging (cheap cables), they didn't fit when the bumper was on - I always had to take the bumper off for charging - mute button was fine for me. I anyway had never any antenna problems, so I ditched the (free) bumper ...
 
bumper damage to stainless steel on iPhone4

iphone1105 said:
It's called not being a slob and maybe, just maybe taking your phone out and giving it and the bumper a quick cleaning???
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I have to agree with Lurch. I am not a slob, and I have the same results on my phone as does he. I did remove and clean it once a week and the Apple bumper did cause similar damage. I went to my Apple store after having the bumper for about a month, and they just replaced the bumper and said there was nothing else they could do. The bumper is not a snug fit, and it has polished the stainless steel by rubbing from taking in and out of my pocket leaving "scaring" or "rub" marks on the stainless steel. Yes, it is only a phone, and the bumper covers it, however, the value of the phone will be diminished once I decide to sell it and upgrade to a new phone.
 
MarximusMG said:
Ouch. That's really unfortunate. Surprising that one of Apple's own accessories did that. You'd think that they would have taken that into consideration. Was there any dirt on the inside of the bumper?
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My bumper does that as well. I went to the Apple store regarding it and all the Geniuses that use bumpers showed me their phones too and they are all scratched like that. It looks like a coating off the steel is being removed.
 
L-U-R-C-H said:
How about making a bumper that uses a soft inside so that it doesn't scratch the iPhone 4! I would stay away from the Apple bumpers guys...they'll ruin the metal on the outside of your phone.

razorianfly-watermark.jpg
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Perhaps it is just a bad picture, but that looks like pitting to me. My PowerBook G4 had a very similar problem due to the oils/salts in my skin eating at the aluminum. Stainless steel probably shouldn't react in the same way, but I didn't think the aluminum would either. Just a thought.

I always wipe my phone down with a mild cleaner before I place it back in the bumper. I have had the phone in the bumper since July with no problems, only taking it out occasionally to connect to my car kit (damn socket in the bumper isn't wide enough).
 
L-U-R-C-H said:
Actually I take quite good care of my stuff. Why should I have to remove the bumper every week to clean the inside of the case? Ever notice the hard plastic interior of the bumper case? That mixed with debris causes the scratches. A soft interior would remedy that problem.
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Explain to me how a soft interior would eliminate the chance of scratches from debris getting in there. Debris would still be next to the metal on the phone right? This makes no sense. The bumper has plenty of soft rubber inside it from what I remember from the free one I got.......then gave to a friend!
 
*LTD* said:
I never understood the need. Death grip or not, my iPhone 4 doesn't drop calls, doesn't lose signal when in an area with decent coverage, etc. I don't know anyone here that has such issues.

I'm on the Rogers network in Canada.

A buddy of mine asked about where to get a good bumper for his iPhone 4. I thought he was crazy. Then I realized he bought into all the anti-iPhone 4 baloney that was spread some months ago. Nice to see that reality (the reality of sales, that is) has cut through all the crap. He did what I did: bought a very nice Sena leather "Ultraslim" pouch and he's good to go.

All in all, I just feel sorry for users that have to live with US carriers.
Click to expand...

you were luckier than me (of course). The day I got my iPhone (early) and got it up and running it dropped calls from the get go. Noticeably so! BAD BAD BAD! I could literally watch the bars drop to nothing and then the call would drop off and I'd have to redial. It was crap and it was fact.

Got a case (which I had always planned to do) and it solved the problem. Love the phone!
 
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iMouse said:
Perhaps it is just a bad picture, but that looks like pitting to me. My PowerBook G4 had a very similar problem due to the oils/salts in my skin eating at the aluminum. Stainless steel probably shouldn't react in the same way, but I didn't think the aluminum would either. Just a thought.

I always wipe my phone down with a mild cleaner before I place it back in the bumper. I have had the phone in the bumper since July with no problems, only taking it out occasionally to connect to my car kit (damn socket in the bumper isn't wide enough).
Click to expand...

You realize you are using the "Death Grip" in the image. :apple:
 
Then don't use a case, people. Friction causes wear. No matter where the friction is, or how it happens.

Learning stuff is easy if you stop fighting it. I know that 15 year olds know everything, but as you get older you should really get over that.
 
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