Apple Takes on Droid X With Latest Smartphone Antenna Video

[z4n3]

Good for you. Now the theory of the defect in I4 has been explained. The resulting dropped calls have been experienced in practice. Finally, the phenomena has been verified in laboratory environment.

It proven. There's just no rational way to deny it. If you choose to go beyond rational arguments, well that's your choice, but I'm out of that discussion.

And the problem is unique to I4. No other cell phone has been shown deteriorating antenna performance at all using one single finger.

I have 2 friends who currently have the iPhone 4 (unlocked) and both have tried to drop a call AND NOTHING!!!! maybe people should be looking at the poor 3G infrastructure the US has!

Granted I live a few meters from Movistar's headquarters and being in the center helps with signal strength, but still cannot reproduce the effect you and others are talking about!

 

[vaguely]

If you don't, you are not arguing in good faith.

The only worthwhile published data is anandtech's data, which showed differential attenuation (CR's reporting is so driven by hit-whoring as to be worthless). Anand concluded:

"I can honestly say that I've never held onto so many calls and data simultaneously on 1 bar at -113 dBm as I have with the iPhone 4, so it's readily apparent that the new baseband hardware is much more sensitive compared to what was in the 3GS. The difference is that reception is massively better on the iPhone 4 in actual use."

Continuing:

"I felt like I was going places no iPhone had ever gone before. There's no doubt in my mind this iPhone gets the best cellular reception yet, even though measured signal is lower than the 3GS."

Anand also makes the perfectly reasonable assertion that Apple should have added a non-conductive coating, but makes no comment any other trade-offs that this might have introduced.

Since you completely ignore performance in use, taking your one data point wildly out of context and blathering on about it incessantly, please refrain from lecturing others about good faith since you have shown none.

 

[rsocal]

People aren't turning it into anything. From day 1 it always was about "the spot" and "the tip of the finger results in 20 dbm drop". Anand posted his article way before the press conference, so did CR post their positive review and their retraction, and the many youtube videos showing this single spot.

Apple denied it was their problem, deflected it to every other maker and spinning it as requiring holding the phone as if you were trying to crush it, with fingers going for the 2nd antenna these other phones have.

I am not spiting Apple. I am simply not encouraging a company that addresses issues like this, with bad faith being the name of the game.



Because Motorola identified the problem, admitted to it, fixed it in new shipments and is offering free exchanges to people who have defective units ? That's not what I call much of a scandal.

You are not taking into account how many people love their iPhones, very few are taking back and they are still selling as fast they can make them. My wife and 2 kids have iPhone 4’s and none of us have add one problem with the antenna issue. We have been to Vegas with them, we live in So.Cal and no problems on the trip. I don’t think we all got special iPhones, most people are having the same experience!

 

[gehrbox]

Hindsite

Funny, just reread Engadgets lengthy review of the iPhone4 from Jun 22.

Not one word about antenna touch sensitivity in the whole thing. They detailed how it got better cell performance then a 3GS. Nothing but positive talk of it's radio performance. No mention of prox sensors or cheek dialing either.

 

[z4n3]

Once Apple starts caring about Macs again, I'm sure that problem will solve itself, but since iProducts are all they care about at the moment, that's what people will be talking about. Go figure.

the iBook users where never this whiny hahaha...I have to admit I really wish Apple never made the iPod windows compatible

 

[sjo]

Granted I live a few meters from Movistar's headquarters and being in the center helps with signal strength, but still cannot reproduce the effect you and others are talking about!

¡Que ilusion! You can use I4 next to a carrier headquarters. ¡No hay problemas! You even realize how pathetic that sounds?

 

[Leehblanc]

I heard lots of Droid X's are so thoroughly defective from Day 1 that Motorola is having to replace them, that is, they are FUBAR out of the box.

How come the media isn't looking at this scandal?

Let's see... Motorola discovered and admitted a manufacturing defect (which Apple has yet to admit to). Then they addressed it WITHIN DAYS by replacing the phone. How exactly is THAT scandalous? It's not like they waited ALMOST A MONTH and then said "every phone suffers from display issues... look at the *****"

 

[z4n3]

Guys, what about the issue that you can't MOD the iPhone?
The Droid can be rooted, without VZW being all pissy...
Open Source FTW!

I updated the Baseband on my Moto Droid
I went from 2 bars to 4 while in the middle of Walmart
Do that with your iPhone...

I really hope you are like 10 years old to come on here with such a stupid NON FACT quote?

 

[KnightWRX]

The only worthwhile published data is anandtech's data, which showed differential attenuation (CR's reporting is so driven by hit-whoring as to be worthless). Anand concluded:

"I can honestly say that I've never held onto so many calls and data simultaneously on 1 bar at -113 dBm as I have with the iPhone 4, so it's readily apparent that the new baseband hardware is much more sensitive compared to what was in the 3GS. The difference is that reception is massively better on the iPhone 4 in actual use."

Continuing:

"I felt like I was going places no iPhone had ever gone before. There's no doubt in my mind this iPhone gets the best cellular reception yet, even though measured signal is lower than the 3GS."

So you're taking the subjective portion of his article as facts and ignore the quantitive issue ? You're basically doing like Apple is doing here...

Anand also makes the perfectly reasonable assertion that Apple should have added a non-conductive coating, but makes no comment any other trade-offs that this might have introduced.

Since you completely ignore performance in use, taking your one data point wildly out of context and blathering on about it incessantly, please refrain from lecturing others about good faith since you have shown none.

Again, I didn't argue this was a huge problem for everyone. I said it was the crux of the issue, and it is, even according to Anand. And again, I didn't say this wasn't properly addressed by Apple, free cases or refund to those unsatisfied was the best course of action.

My issue is with Apple's denial, deflection and spinning, which you seem to be participating in wanting to ignore the very crux of the issue, which is the 20 db drop.

I even said their software update which added 8 dbm of useable signal was a good way to mitigate the issue in real world use. Who's arguing in bad faith now ?

You are not taking into account how many people love their iPhones, very few are taking back and they are still selling as fast they can make them. My wife and 2 kids have iPhone 4’s and none of us have add one problem with the antenna issue. We have been to Vegas with them, we live in So.Cal and no problems on the trip. I don’t think we all got special iPhones, most people are having the same experience!

I need to take that into account for... what exactly ? If everyone went to jump off a bridge, I'd be on the shore saying how dumb they all are. Won't make me change my mind that Apple mishandled the situation and as such, the 3GS was my last iPhone. If they had simply admitted to the issue instead of trying to show "an industry problem", I would probably have forked over my green for an iPhone 4, issue or no issue.

 

[z4n3]

¡Que ilusion! You can use I4 next to a carrier headquarters. ¡No hay problemas! You even realize how pathetic that sounds?

Aprender a lear ingles bien...

Learn to read English.

I said I LIVED in the CENTER!!! and cannot even be bothered to respond to you... ZZZZZzzzzz

 

[Reach]

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

This.

They are simply showing that there is an issue with reception when gripping many phones.

That is quite important, as many seem to believe the iPhone 4 is the only one affected by this. It's also important to show that the retards that point at Apple and laugh in order to sell their own phones have similar issues.

Newsflash: "Apples new phone will lose reception when put in a lead box!"
Apple-haters: "OMG! We'll run with this!"
Apple: Puts other phones in a lead box.

Now, the iPhone may have worse issues than the others - I haven't tried - but I know many manage to use their phones and seem very satisfied.

 

[Blakjack]

This isn't high school where you get in trouble for tattle telling. This is business. If you were in apples position, u would do it to. U guys are ridiculous. There's millions of dollars at stake here. It's more than just your little high school reputation in danger.

This is no different than creating a commercial pointing out competitors flaws. Thanks to the Internet and technology, apple just has another way of pointing this out.

 

[Anuba]

the iBook users where never this whiny hahaha...I have to admit I really wish Apple never made the iPod windows compatible

People were just as whiny nearly 10 years ago as they are now. Read this thread from 2001 when the first iPod had just been announced.

"iPoop... iCry. I was so hoping for something more."

"hey - heres an idea Apple - rather than enter the world of gimmicks and toys, why dont you spend a little more time sorting out your pathetically expensive and crap server line up?"

"I still can't believe this! All this hype for something so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently!
Why oh why would they do this?! It's so wrong! It's so stupid!"

"All that hype for an MP3 player? Break-thru digital device? The Reality Distiortion Field™ is starting to warp Steve's mind if he thinks for one second that this thing is gonna take off."

So as you can see there was just as much negativity in 2001 when there was nothing but Apple fans around here. Apple didn't make anything Windows compatible at the time except the QuickTime player, so there was no influx of crossover users, Fandroids or anything of the sort.

 

[rsocal]

So you're taking the subjective portion of his article as facts and ignore the quantitive issue ? You're basically doing like Apple is doing here...



Again, I didn't argue this was a huge problem for everyone. I said it was the crux of the issue, and it is, even according to Anand. And again, I didn't say this wasn't properly addressed by Apple, free cases or refund to those unsatisfied was the best course of action.

My issue is with Apple's denial, deflection and spinning, which you seem to be participating in wanting to ignore the very crux of the issue, which is the 20 db drop.

I even said their software update which added 8 dbm of useable signal was a good way to mitigate the issue in real world use. Who's arguing in bad faith now ?



I need to take that into account for... what exactly ? If everyone went to jump off a bridge, I'd be on the shore saying how dumb they all are. Won't make me change my mind that Apple mishandled the situation and as such, the 3GS was my last iPhone. If they had simply admitted to the issue instead of trying to show "an industry problem", I would probably have forked over my green for an iPhone 4, issue or no issue.

That’s teaching Apple a lesson, you got them?
Now you miss out, sometimes hatred only hurts you!

 

[KnightWRX]

This is no different than creating a commercial pointing out competitors flaws. Thanks to the Internet and technology, apple just has another way of pointing this out.

This.

They are simply showing that there is an issue with reception when gripping many phones.

That is quite important, as many seem to believe the iPhone 4 is the only one affected by this.

Except again, this is only Apple showing a different issue with other phones. An issue that has been known since Nokia shipped the first internal antenna phone.

This isn't the issue people are having with the iPhone 4. Apple is basically saying "Look, over there, Elvis!" while they are making their getaway.

That’s teaching Apple a lesson, you got them?
Now you miss out, sometimes hatred only hurts you!

Teaching them a lesson ? Why would you think I'd be out to do this. It's just a product put out by a company. I am unsatisfied with their handling of the situation, I don't give them money. Isn't that how the free market works ?

Hurt me ? Because I'll have a different phone ? What exactly is painful about not having an iPhone ? I'm pretty sure tons of people don't and live perfectly happy lives.

I think I get why some of you are so hellbent on defending Apple if you really think the iPhone 4 woes result in pain. It doesn't, trust me. You can even still sleep at night. Just let it go man, they botched their PR, pissed off some people, end of story. If you love your iPhone 4, why does it affect you that I won't be getting one based on this ?

 

[dwd3885]

The video is clearly doctored. DroidX phones have either 1x or 3G by the signal bars. The video shows neither. Nice try, Apple.

 

[shambolicious]

The trouble is that one single digit bridging the gap renders the iPhone 4 useless.

Despite Apples attempts to muddy the situation no other phone fails like this.

 

[KnightWRX]

The video is clearly doctored. DroidX phones have either 1x or 3G by the signal bars. The video shows neither. Nice try, Apple.

It's not doctored, they are using their facilities instead of Verizon's network. Their facilities just probably doesn't provide 3G coverage.

 

[sciwizam]

Death Gripping boosts the signal in Droid X! Thanks Apple!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fup7fb1qIM&feature=player_embedded

 

[vaguely]

You're basically doing like KingstonWRX is doing here...

Fixed that for you.

I am still waiting for an apology for your lack of good faith. It stems from a clear flaw in your argumentation method that is leading you to exclude all information that does not suit your case, while asking questions (well, a question), that in turn begs massive questions.

The absence of good faith is a very serious matter that is likely to lead to calls for your argument to be recalled, or at least to have some padding added. The technical term for the flaw is the Complex Question Fallacy (which leads Question Attenuation, since it is very weak indeed).

 

[KnightWRX]

Fixed that for you.

I am still waiting for an apology for your lack of good faith. It stems from a clear flaw in your argumentation method that is leading you to exclude all information that does not suit your case, while asking questions (well, a question, that in turn begs massive questions.

I ignored what exactly ? The fact that some people don't see the issue because of their geographical location ? Nope, covered that. The fact that the iPhone 4 now has 8 dbm more of useable signal ? Nope, covered that. The fact that Apple did address the issue with free cases ? Nope covered that.

Well, then, what is it I missed ? What argument did you provide that shows Apple didn't just deny, deflect and spin the issue ?

None, you've been vague this whole time, you still are.

And also, when did you stop beating your wife?

Uh ? I don't quite get this. Let's ask a moderator about it.

 

[Anuba]

It's not doctored, they are using their facilities instead of Verizon's network. Their facilities just probably doesn't provide 3G coverage.

I thought this issue was confined to 3G. If my iPhone 3G is on the 3G network I can make it lose one bar of signal if I squeeze it hard with both hands around the bottom. If I'm on GSM/EDGE I can't make it go down from 5 bars no matter how I try. Maybe if I put it inside a safe laced with lead, but no amount of organic material muffling the signal can make it drop a single bar.

 

[marcfogel]

The video is clearly doctored. DroidX phones have either 1x or 3G by the signal bars. The video shows neither. Nice try, Apple.

This has been discussed. read the threads

 

[gnasher729]

Android is a better UI and OS than IOS.

That may very well be, but they are not really comparable, Android being an operating system for mobile phones and Cisco's IOS being an operating system used in high end routers etc.

On the other hand, Android doesn't come anywhere near Apple's iOS that is running on the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.

 

[rsocal]

Except again, this is only Apple showing a different issue with other phones. An issue that has been known since Nokia shipped the first internal antenna phone.

This isn't the issue people are having with the iPhone 4. Apple is basically saying "Look, over there, Elvis!" while they are making their getaway.



Teaching them a lesson ? Why would you think I'd be out to do this. It's just a product put out by a company. I am unsatisfied with their handling of the situation, I don't give them money. Isn't that how the free market works ?

Hurt me ? Because I'll have a different phone ? What exactly is painful about not having an iPhone ? I'm pretty sure tons of people don't and live perfectly happy lives.

I think I get why some of you are so hellbent on defending Apple if you really think the iPhone 4 woes result in pain. It doesn't, trust me. You can even still sleep at night. Just let it go man, they botched their PR, pissed off some people, end of story. If you love your iPhone 4, why does it affect you that I won't be getting one based on this ?

Don’t miss understand me, I really don’t give a frogs fat ass if you don’t get an iPhone nor did I imply that. It sounded like you wanted an iPhone but did not get one because of the way Apple handled it and the antenna issue, so all was trying to say is for most people it’s really a non issue. I also did not understand you saying how bad i4 is when you don’t have one.