Apple Takes on Droid X With Latest Smartphone Antenna Video

[gstylez]

We get it already. You can choke the bars out of quite a few phones. Just let it go. iPhone sales are still strong...you would think they would leave this alone.

They won't leave it alone because everyone else made a big deal about the iPhone 4 for 3 weeks straight since the iPhone launched. Apple is pissed off that they had to do a Conference in the first place to take care of the matter so everyone would stop talking about it. I like it.

I hope they do it for two more weeks and then they can stop.

 

[mBox]

weird, when I hold my Mac Pro with that same death grip, I lose bars too...
is this ever gonna ever stop

 

[-=XX=-Nephilim]

Apple is full of excrement and this is official for some time now...

This video is nothing else but spread of Apple's odour and it isn't pleasant at all

They should simply shut up and fix their defective product(s)

And yes, pay more attention to us MAC and OS X users since fair few are getting sick of all this iCrap...

 

[macsmurf]

If Apple want to show that other phones have the same issue as the iPhone, they need to demonstrate

1) Other phones loses signal when held in a certain way.
2) A case fixes the problem to some degree.

It's quite suspicious that even with the vast ressources for testing at Apple's disposal, they elect to make videos. Give us the hard data, please. With and without cases. Anandtech publishes more credible research than Apple for a fraction of the price.

Of course Apple wont publish that, because the case only fixes the problem of an exposed antenna, and only iPhones have this problem.

 

[chasemac]

What network are they on in this demo? For comparison, it has to be At&t and that is not a fare one.

 

[Jetaray]

I really hope most people realize that the video provides very little information. The only thing it shows is that hand position on several phones can cause signal attenuation (movement of bars from hi to low). What it does not confirm is how much signal reduction actually happens and if the drops in bars shown are equal to an amount that would cause a dropped call. With out specific numbers and details about each phone this video means very little.

Here is a simple example; you have two cars very similar in design. They both drive up a hill at the same speed, as they go up the hill both cars decrease in speed. Then halfway up the hill one car stops. The other car continues to move up the hill but at a slower speed and reaches the peak.

What this demonstration shows is that even though the incline of the hill reduced the speed of both cars (A similarity). The demonstration does not show why one car failed to reach the top and the other did even though it was at a slower speed. Just because both cars slowed down does not mean they will both fail to reach the top. You need specific information about each car to determine why one reached the top and the other did not.

Now back to the video, similar phones (but different shapes and design) show loss of signal strength, but at what point does each phone actually loss reception and drop a call? The video is graphic but simply does not provide all the variables that caused the drop in signal strength. For example how hard the phone is gripped, where the antenna is located, and was the conductivity of the hand the same for each demonstration (sweaty or dry). The examples Apple showed were very un-scientific and proved practically nothing if the concern is about if the phone drops the call or continues to stay connected.

For competitive reasons no company is going provide hard data about how much a hand hold of their phone actually effects reception. I believe Apples new iPhone 4 does have better reception then previous models, but also suffers from high attenuation of signal strength (more easily then some other phones) when held a certain way and some people who have a hand with a specific physical make up may amplify the problem causing dropped calls. Could it be just because someone has a sweaty hand? I don’t know but because information is purposely limited during demonstrations, some may see this as a ploy to cover a design problem that affects a larger then suspected number of people.

 

[boricuazo]

Honestly, I've never seen anyone hold (in their ear) any kind of phone in the way it must be done on the iP4 in order for it to loose signal. I've tried making a phone call while covering the antenna and it is downright uncomfortable. Moreover, when I tried this, the phone didn't drop the call. I think many people are purposely holding their phones this way just to find a reason to complain. I'm sure that no one is comfortable holding the Droid X the way apple shows it while making a call, but anyone can do it in order to find a reason to complain.

The mistake apple did with iPhone 4 was to mark the exact position of the antenna. Now people can locate the weak spot easily and it is easier to cause the signal loss. But hey, I'ts apple, and there always has to be a reason to hate it.

 

[The Phazer]

What's wrong with everyone? If Apple just said that "every other phone has this kind of issues to some extent", they'd be asking for factual data. No there it is, and they accuse Apple of "pointing fingers". Heck, when they expect you to be perfect it's impossible to please everyone. Truth speaks for irself; there isn't this much hype about any other phone. So much for the "iPhone Killers".

Apple hasn't provided any factual data. If Apple could get AT&T to provide the call drop ratios for every mobile phone, then that would be data, and be useful. This is a pretty lazy video seemingly aimed at people too stupid to look at the stats Apple themselves provided, which demonstrate this is a major problem (a 1% increase in dropped calls is huge. *Huge*).

Phazer

 

[Master Chief]

If you're only touching the phone with a single finger, does it have to be in the one spot that causes a problem. We can't all the "hold it right"? The point of this is not to say other phones are flawed. The point is that all phones have a way they CANNOT be held. So, don't hold it that way.

Apple could have made the antenna page without ever mentioning a single other phone brand, simply by stating that certain grips can reduce signal strength, and on all cell phones. That would have been so much better.

But let's get to the bottom of it; No one will ever be mad enough to 'squeeze the juice out of their phone' just to make a simple phone call... some of these so called 'death grip' videos are hideous.

Not to mention that people never had to think about how they hold their cell phones, to prevent a signal drop, other than the latest iPhone.

And not a single other manufacturer was ever forced to publish an antenna page, depicting other phone brands.

 

[Blueflame1138]

The promo video Apple didn't want you to see!

http://www.youtube.com/user/ooJLEoo

Very very VERY funny.

Guys, you can take life seriously most of the time, but not that seriously all of the time.

 

[macsmurf]

The mistake apple did with iPhone 4 was to mark the exact position of the antenna. Now people can locate the weak spot easily and it is easier to cause the signal loss. But hey, I'ts apple, and there always has to be a reason to hate it.

And it's easy to brush off any criticism as coming from "haters".

You'll find that there is a distinct pattern to a lot of the posts om macrumors

1) Poster repeats Jobs' talking points on whatever topic is under discussion

2) If Jobs did not address a certain argument, the poster ignores it. Otherwise, see 1)

3) The poster brushes off any criticism as coming from "haters". If the topic includes mobile devices, haters can be substituted with "fandroids". Some sort of affiliation with competitors of Apple can also be suggested.

 

[Mkz]

Directly comparing the iPhone to other phones is ****ing pathetic. Shame on you Apple.

 

[z4n3]

Sooooo many retards on this forum lately!

Apple did not start this, and I feel they are doing a GREAT job showing that this is not an iPhone 4 only issue! wake up people and smell the coffee! this was started by Apple's competition as they are running scared of Apple's hold on the smartphone market! ANY dum Ar@e can see this, mind you with so many pc & google fanboys without a life that have the urge to read and post in a Mac forum..anyways en fin!!!

Do not blame Apple for responding! blame Nokia for sitting on the hands the last few years giving us Cr@p phones! and only pulling there finger out when Apple came along! hurts but it is the truth

 

[Adrian jhon]

I dumped Verizon for the iPhone. I have found coverage to be comparable and internet access much faster but I don't do the traveling that you do. I can tell you that no smart phone is as user friendly as the iPhone (although I'm not as fond as the iPhone/iTunes interface) and no phone has the number and variety of apps.

 

[sjo]

Sooooo many retards on this forum lately!

Apple did not start this

Yeah blame it on the early adopters who asked "WTF?" when the calls began to drop. That's not retardad at all.

 

[boricuazo]

And it's easy to brush off any criticism as coming from "haters".

You'll find that there is a distinct pattern to a lot of the posts om macrumors

1) Poster repeats Jobs' talking points on whatever topic is under discussion

2) If Jobs did not address a certain argument, the poster ignores it. Otherwise, see 1)

3) The poster brushes off any criticism as coming from "haters". If the topic includes mobile devices, haters can be substituted with "fandroids". Some sort of affiliation with competitors of Apple can also be suggested.

The only way I can get my phone to drop bars (not even completely loose signal) is by placing my entire hand on the side. Its not what Jobs said, it's what I say/think. I really don't care if apple dies in a few years because android or any other platform killed it, but I think that no company can make the perfect phone, and apple really has a lot to learn about the mobile phone industry.

I couldn't care less what Jobs said. My statement here is based on the articles I read that talked about apple's comparing of other phones and my personal experience with the phone.

I just switched to iP4 from Blackberry, and I really think RIM customers have many more things to complain about. When I bought it, I had to replace it twice because the physical keyboard had buttons that didn't work.

I don't think the complaints are coming from haters or "fandroids". The complaints are coming from people who want a phone made by God himself. The iPhone is not it.

If you really hold your iPhone the way that makes it loose signal, replace it. That's what I would've done.

 

[mac-covetor]

OK Apple, let's see you prove your point with an HTC Desire.

A case of form over function taken one step too far with the 4.

 

[-SD-]

- Hello, I'm an iPhone
- and I'm a Droid X.

iPhone: Hi Droid x. What you doing?
Droid X: Trying desperately to lose some bars. Can you help?
iPhone: I know a funny story about losing things in bars.... It all started when this kid found me.......

Hahaha. I actually lol'd

Anyway, this whole thing has gone far beyond pathetic and childish now. Steve has made a major cock-up, and he's really not helping the situation. There's no way I'm tying myself into an 18/24 month contract for a broken phone.

I have a feeling we'll see the 4G S⃣ or iPhone 5 before the normal June/July refresh next year.

 

[hiimamac]

Apple is trying to tell people like you the simple facts by demonstration. Chill out.

Maybe but does it drop the call though. Even my 3G drops calls at least a few times per week. I blame that on AT&T though, I do. And lately, I don't know where everyone lives but our cable speeds have been slowing to a crawl at night. Pathetic and dsl is much to slow for me. When it's working, I'm getting 3MB per second or 30,000k. Some places are at 10-15MB. Can't wait until we reach the 100MB mark. Won't Dsl go out of business? I
Ean you just can't pump that much through unless it's light pipe.

Edit: The new droid does look cool though and google apps online are really scaring msft (office) and .mac as they've come out with some really cool apps.

 

[Max(IT)]

Nothing to fix? How many phones do you know that drops singal on a TOUCH? And why are Apple giving away free cases again???

Every phone, if you touch the right spot. Holding the phone in the way showed by the droid x videos is not different from touching the known spot on the iPhone 4.
Actually, is easier to grip the Droid X in that way than put your finger on the spot in the iPhone 4

Wow, are people really so stupid to believe that they would actually believe that video. No one could possibly be so gullible and believe that video. I know that the apple zealots are clinging to every straw but honestly, that video is just pathetic.

Very interesting point of view. So basically YouTube videos counts ONLY when you have to bash Apple, otherwise they are unbelievable ...
Very strange people on this forum ...

Uh, what the hell is the difference? No one makes a call with just one finger hitting the sweet spot. These videos show a reasonable grip (its how I hold my samsung) dropping bars on phones other than just the iphone.

Like it or not, its good PR to consumers (meaning the masses who aren't tech forum nerds like us), whether or not its bending the truth a bit.

Exactly!

Whether the phone is in my left or right hand, either my palm or my fingers are bridging the gap on the iPhone. The videos that they continue to show are childish and meaningless. I cannot hold the phone and browse without constantly minding the 'dead' spot. And to be told that it is prevalent in 'most smart phones' is a lie. I own two HTCs and this is my 4th iPhone. This is the only phone with this issue. You know it, I know it, Apple knows it, and everyone else knows it.

Still, it's a great device, but a horrible phone. Can't wait till iPhone 5.

It is very very easy to avoid touching that spot, if you know it.

Lets assume 3.2 Million Iphone 4's in 30 days = 107K/day.

Android's numbers = 160K/day

Do I need to do the rest of the math?

Are you really comparing one single phone, on 5 markets, with 30 devices sold worldwide ???
No, you can't be that ingenuous .... or just a fandroid ?

 

[wreckshop]

Verizon needs to make an ad, with 1 finger touching the "death spot" with "Call Failed" message.

How stupid can apple be. VZW could make a video showing that ip4 drops calls by touching with one finger. That looks a lot worse than some dude with giant sasquatch hands holding droid X like how bob dole used to hold a pencil.

 

[pistolero]

Sure. We all know that, but non of these other phones will drop signal when touched by a single finger top. Not even in a weak reception area, and that is exactly what I am trying to address here; some of these manufacturers call these Apple PR tactics a clever, unfair diversion of Apple's antenna design flaw.

In areas with good signal, touching the infamous spot will not result in any drop of signal whatsoever in the iphone4.

 

[0098386]

First Flash, now this? I'm really not liking Apple's new attitude.

That video also looks (since I haven't used a Droid X or whatever they called it here) a tiny bit different to the iPhone 4 problem. That one looks like you have to do a proper death grip, as in actually squeeze the device. iPhone 4? Just slightly touch it since the antenna is exposed like that.
Could be wrong but thats how the video makes it look.

 

[mntpng]

Apple fanboys are a weird bunch with short and selective memories.

During Google I/O 2010 one of the keynote had a total meltdown when too many wireless divices were in the room. Of course Apple fanboys poked fun at Google's lack of preparation and polish in their presentation. A month later Steve Jobs on stage also had a similar demo failure. Of course this time it's attendee's fault for not shutting off their wireless devices. Really?

During Google I/O 2010, Vic Gundotra took multiple jabs at Apple without really using the A word directly with one exception of doing a javascript performance comparison between Android 2.2 aka froyo browser versus a Safari on iPad. Of course Apple fanboys interpreted this a just awful marketing move by Google because they mentioned their competitor when trying to sell their own product. Apple fanboys said Google broke one of the most important rule in marketing because mentioning your competitor takes focus away from your own product and therefore it's terrible marketing message. Apple fanboys conveniently have forgotten Apple's three years of Mac vs. PC commercials when Windows was mentioned over and over again. Before that was when Steve Jobs repeated did one to one performance bake off on stage to tout the superiority of PPC versus the PC. Anyone remember the marketing image of Pentium II chip glued to a snail? I still have that poster Apple gave away at Macworld years back. How about when they set fire to Intel fab guys in a bunny suit? Now they're doing it again with series of videos where they're showing competitor's phones. Obviously when Apple mentions their competitor by name, it's a brilliant marketing move. If others do it, it's terrible marketing tactics that's guaranteed to backfire on them. Come on, really?

Do you really have to wonder why some people think Apple fanboys are a weird bunch completely detached from reality?

What's the message with all these videos? Is Apple trying to say that iPhone 4 is just as bad as their competitors so therefore might as as well just buy iPhone 4 anyway? What happened to Think Different? Is it now Think Same?

 

[wytworm]

Does the Droid X come in white...??

http://www.androidcentral.com/readers-white-evo-4g-uboxing