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Apple Takes on Droid X With Latest Smartphone Antenna Video
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Lock the damn thread already, you made these forums a festering ground for all trolls, this place is supposed to be moderated, then why the hell is it not?
Instead every troll on the planet comes here as has a field day and drives the good posters away, and the forums go down the drain.
Dreadful, dreadful management of the forums, and everyone too far up their attics and pretending all jolly good when anyone can cone here, bash apple, bash users as if it were a pc forum.
Get it in your heads, this is no pc anything goes forum, come on in people and shill for the droids, the googles, or whatever else, this was once an apple community, if so tell us what are we up to our ears in trolls? Why does every bozo think he can lecture us on android here?
Unbeliavable, thousands and thousands of pointless posts, countless users who could be in the forums discussing apps, os, hardware are out here fending off the trolls...
What a royal mess you ve made of these forums, just sit back and get those ad dollars in, I wonder though when the real users leave and you are left with just the trolls what you are going to do.
Sounds pretty fan boyish to me quite honestly. Some people that you consider "trolling" are simply stating their opinion. Just because it doesn't match yours does not mean this place is full of trolls.
Absolutely. Overall it is a much better Phone but... there are still a few minor tweaks to work on. Yet, I refuse to return it because of a silly Exchange [now fixed] and/or a proximity sensor bug, or the fact that I had to spray a coating on the lower antenna part, or use a bumper, to prevent me from touching it in the wrong spot [in weak reception areas].
Not to mention that it is after all also delivering a lot of cash
Not Just Another Technology Company
For decades Apple has separated itself from the rest of the technology companies through innovative designs that merge form and function beautifully. This whole iPhone 4 antennae mess has forced Apple to defend itself by saying we are just like all the over technology companies; we have the same challenges that others have.
This round of PR campaign to spin the antennae problem is, I think, backfiring. Admittedly this is an industry wide problem, solve it the way Apple is famous for, and not point fingers at other cell phone manufacturers. Separate yourself once more.
For decades Apple has separated itself from the rest of the technology companies through innovative designs that merge form and function beautifully. This whole iPhone 4 antennae mess has forced Apple to defend itself by saying we are just like all the over technology companies; we have the same challenges that others have.
This round of PR campaign to spin the antennae problem is, I think, backfiring. Admittedly this is an industry wide problem, solve it the way Apple is famous for, and not point fingers at other cell phone manufacturers. Separate yourself once more.
Agree 100%!
It is really sad some seem so unwilling to focus beyond the negative hysteria that has occurred, and actually appreciate it for being the incredible piece of art and technology that it is, but I guess that's more an unfortunate reflection of them.
It might well be 'just a phone' but it is still an amazing one at that.
In the months and years to come it will no doubt gradually grow outdated, but I'm quite happy to deal with that at a much later date.
I disagree - it has put a lot of things in context
Most people didn't know that till the press conference.
What? You don't know? I mean anyone who dares to question anything Apple related, or voice his or her opinion on any Apple product, in a somehow negative way, is a troll here. Period.
Note: I personally love Apple products and Apple stock, but I also have my own opinion. Yes sir. Thank you very much.
Really? you are honestly implying most people didn't know when you block an antenna the signal goes down? Maybe Americans on average are this dumb but most the rest of the world figured this out when TV's still used over-the-air signals
Seriously apple hasn't shown any new smoking gun. They are just trying to spin a problem into something good.
I've never had this issue with my original iPhone, nor my 3G and still can't replicate it.
I do however agree that probably a lot of the problem is aggrevated by ATT.
I get dropped calls on all my iPhones in my house in the US (phoenix, not a notoriously busy market like NY) but when i used the exact same phone with a dutch simcard here in Holland i never get dropped calls.
Meaning the first gen and 3g's don't really have this problem at all (the death grip, i do hold my phone exactly the same as the left handed folks although im righthanded.) but the iPhone 4 drops signals in any market.
So saying "all phones have this" is ******** if their OWN phones don't even have that problem apparently until iPhone4...
Most people just don't think about antennae or attenuation.
if you pressed them to say where they thought the arial would be, they would probably point to the top - as its the logical place.
People are mostly happy to let others worry about the complex stuff.
That is why apple sell so well - they make gadgets that don't need a manual to understand.
Check the video page - the 3g is on there
I think we should all go commit suicide because there isn't another company that can match Apple's unique products and if Apple itself makes products that are unusable (well the iPhone 4 for me is perfectly usable but for others apparently it's just a paperweight) then all is lost and the end of the world is here. *takes breath*
totally agree.
So if all phones have the same "issue" then there's no issue. its just how the phones work.
you all can move on now. problem solved.
Can you explain why his response was a joke to you?
I think most of it is a response to the way apple handled the situation, and not solely because of the antenna design flaw.
I disagree too. Apple didn't put anything in context. Instead they took everything out of context by showing videos of other phones having signal problems like the iphone 4 but not stating any context as to how the tests were done; hence the barrage of videos that are unable to replicate the same behaviour on other phones as apple did.
How did you conclude that its an industry wide problem? Was your belief solely on apple's non technical video demonstrations?
Yup.
If they had cheated and made the phenomena up - there would have been lawsuits before the hall was empty.
And of course it adds context - the grip of death doesn't just affect the iphone.
Figured it was time for another evidence summary
Went thru YouTube for all videos relating to the Droid X and antenna. Number was much smaller than for the iPhone4, but significant. They are listed below:
Critical. Apple's video is the only negative one, and it only shows lost bars and did not show evidence of lost calls. And, interestingly, it was not on the Verizon network (no 1x or 3G symbol left of the bars). Not enough evidence to prove Apple fabricated the video, but they do have their $100 million rf room where they could have generated and manipulated the signal for this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJG7pbSRvJ8
There is one independent video that showed an issue, but then the poster indicated that he had damaged his phone and withdrew the video saying that the Droid X has no antenna issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFc9vnocIzQ
The remaining 7 are all positive. Most showing absolutely no signal loss. One showing slight signal loss from 1 to 0 bars, but still not losing the phone call as the phone retained service despite showing 0 bars (sort of the opposite of a company that misrepresents its signal level by "inadvertently" exaggerating the number of bars).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fup7fb1qIM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvVhjNBq7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN0XqAu6QI8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Omlfntgh0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnRrSsW2zZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dogM4Wu51tc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDzfAlGQxwM
If there was even a hint of truth in the Apple video there would be a half dozen Droid X customer videos showing that behavior on YouTube. There certainly were for the iPhone 4 within the first week. There are exactly....none.
The conclusion...dropped calls when holding a smartphone in a normal fashion is not a ubiquitous problem. It is an iPhone 4 problem that is shared in a much lesser degree by a few others, and not an all an issue with a well designed phone. If you want jewelry, buy an iPhone 4. If you want a good smartphone, get a Droid X. Or even pick up an obsolete Droid.
This coming from a former iPhone 4 owner, and an owner of more than a few Macs. Apple made an honest design error with the iPhone 4. Their response to it has been juvenile and embarrassing.
Went thru YouTube for all videos relating to the Droid X and antenna. Number was much smaller than for the iPhone4, but significant. They are listed below:
Critical. Apple's video is the only negative one, and it only shows lost bars and did not show evidence of lost calls. And, interestingly, it was not on the Verizon network (no 1x or 3G symbol left of the bars). Not enough evidence to prove Apple fabricated the video, but they do have their $100 million rf room where they could have generated and manipulated the signal for this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJG7pbSRvJ8
There is one independent video that showed an issue, but then the poster indicated that he had damaged his phone and withdrew the video saying that the Droid X has no antenna issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFc9vnocIzQ
The remaining 7 are all positive. Most showing absolutely no signal loss. One showing slight signal loss from 1 to 0 bars, but still not losing the phone call as the phone retained service despite showing 0 bars (sort of the opposite of a company that misrepresents its signal level by "inadvertently" exaggerating the number of bars).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fup7fb1qIM&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGvVhjNBq7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN0XqAu6QI8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Omlfntgh0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnRrSsW2zZc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dogM4Wu51tc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDzfAlGQxwM
If there was even a hint of truth in the Apple video there would be a half dozen Droid X customer videos showing that behavior on YouTube. There certainly were for the iPhone 4 within the first week. There are exactly....none.
The conclusion...dropped calls when holding a smartphone in a normal fashion is not a ubiquitous problem. It is an iPhone 4 problem that is shared in a much lesser degree by a few others, and not an all an issue with a well designed phone. If you want jewelry, buy an iPhone 4. If you want a good smartphone, get a Droid X. Or even pick up an obsolete Droid.
This coming from a former iPhone 4 owner, and an owner of more than a few Macs. Apple made an honest design error with the iPhone 4. Their response to it has been juvenile and embarrassing.
If it was faked - we would have heard of it by now.
Think the other phone manufacturers wouldn't refute it if they could??
wow
when i first listened to steve jobs talk (earlier this year, about flash, and apple policies) i was really inspired, and I was completely sure i had turned into an Apple fan boy.
But after this, man how low can you go? I'm pissed off. The Apple iPhone4 was a little dodgy, but I dont care, Id still buy it because I accept it regardless. But the way Apple is going about it, trying SO HARD to show flaws in other competitors mobiles is low, i mean get over it. Apple is acting like a kid. So stupid.
when i first listened to steve jobs talk (earlier this year, about flash, and apple policies) i was really inspired, and I was completely sure i had turned into an Apple fan boy.
But after this, man how low can you go? I'm pissed off. The Apple iPhone4 was a little dodgy, but I dont care, Id still buy it because I accept it regardless. But the way Apple is going about it, trying SO HARD to show flaws in other competitors mobiles is low, i mean get over it. Apple is acting like a kid. So stupid.
I respect your opinion, and thanks for sharing it in a well mannered way
It was hard for me to buy into Apple's claim based solely on their videos because the isn't enough evidence, technical or non technical, to suggest that this is a widespread, industry problem.
I also believe that no one can legitimately file a case against apple because they (apple) referred to the problem as an "Industry Challenge". If this was defamation, the industry would be suing, but in this case, no one in particular speaks for "the industry"
However, without any lawsuits, companies whom apple specifically referred to as handset manufacturers who have this signal issue, have non the less spoken up in a respectable manner to counter apple's allegations. That itself, indicates quite well that apple is taking matters out of context by generalising the signal issue and blurring the line between what is suppose to be an iPhone 4 specific issue and what is an industry wide issue. In this case, what I mean by an iPhone 4 specific issue is the "touch of death (with a finger)" and not so much the grip of death.
The problem is further exacerbated since apple indirectly proved that the signal issue can be solved (as opposed to their claim of an as-yet unsolved industry wide problem), or rather, minimised to an acceptable level by applying a case around the iphone 4. They further said that they knew about this problem, but did not think it would be as big a deal as it is now, which, in effect, says that Apple knew about a problem with their phone, which they know how to solve, but chose not to solve, and is now denying all responsibility for its design choice.
On the note of the signal issue being an unsolved industry wide problem, I disagree because other manufacturers have already "sidestepped" this problem by preventing any means of direct human contact with the antenna, as well as a strategic placement of a second alternative antenna.
Sorry for the longish reply
The Droid X video doesn't show the same issue. iPhone 4 = 1 finger on the small spot that is located where you naturally put your hand goes it. Droid X = smother the antennaS with every available fingers and you might see a drop in signal.
Not the same issue at all. Until Apple posts videos of phones losing signal because of the tip of 1 finger, this is all spin trying to divert attention from the real problem.
The iPhone 4's problem is not an industry problem since it doesn't require covering up the entire antenna. The industry doesn't have a problem where 1 finger can make you lose 8 times more signal than a normal phone. Heck, even the 3GS doesn't have that problem.
Not the same issue at all. Until Apple posts videos of phones losing signal because of the tip of 1 finger, this is all spin trying to divert attention from the real problem.
The iPhone 4's problem is not an industry problem since it doesn't require covering up the entire antenna. The industry doesn't have a problem where 1 finger can make you lose 8 times more signal than a normal phone. Heck, even the 3GS doesn't have that problem.
To me, the conclusion in a nutshell is this: perhaps many or all smartphones suffer from this reception issue. But I expect better of Apple. The iPhone is a premium product, and I expect better performance from it compared with other smartphones on the market. I really don't like Apple pointing fingers, trying to excuse its engineering by saying that others do it too. Putting the antenna on the outside of the case was an interesting approach but it has an Achilles' heel. When Apple corrects that issue, they once again will have the best smartphone on the market.
i think apple can move on now. this video is here because of the conference, the phone makers said we have no problem, apple is just making it up. now apple proved them wrong.
apple got the better side of the antennagate so start working on improving your current or future products in the lab.
apple got the better side of the antennagate so start working on improving your current or future products in the lab.
Of course it isn't going to stop normal attenuation, but it IS going to lessen it because you're putting free space between the antenna and your hand with some other object that allows RF to pass more freely than human flesh.
So how exactly again does this separate the end result into two issues for a non-engineer? It doesn't. You can lessen signal loss on other phones with a case as well.
Sure, but if this is more a non-issue than an issue as the evidence seems to suggest, then the only thing that's going to hurt shareholders is the usual public hysteria over nothing that tends to happen frequently in the stock market. Like the public hysteria causing Apple to just say, "Ok, fine, here's your bumper." This "searching for the truth" that the tech media is doing isn't so much a search for the truth as it is a search for page hits/views as usual. This is exactly like the Windows Vista debacle. Yes, the OS wasn't as good as it should have been, but it also was nowhere near as bad as it was represented to be by the media.
Are you going to do anything with this other than play "holier than thou?" I don't think this merits much more response than what I've just given it. I don't need to justify myself to anyone, least of all someone hiding in anonymity on a forum.
Seriously, if this is how we play, then lets target those calling people fanboys, as well. They also aren't helping the issue. But they are, in fact, stating their opinion, as they are entitled to do.
The joke is on all those who fall into Apple's redirection by getting you to focus on the "death grip" argument" with evidence that other phones suffer from it as well. The fact that phone performance can be affected by shielding the bulk of the antenna with your hand is nothing new. In fact it's info that has been covered in user manuals for some of the mobile phones I've had over the years (and I started with some of the earliest "brick" phones).
This is NOT they root of the problem with the iPhone. As some have noted, all it takes is the tip of a single finger to watch the iPhone signal strength drop like a stone. If/when Apple starts posting videos of other phones that lose signal when simply touched I'll start buying their story (Hint: It ain't gonna' happen) Until then I simply interpret their reports as continued attempts to blatantly deceive their customer base. It's an insult to anyone with even just a moderate amount of intelligence.
This is NOT they root of the problem with the iPhone. As some have noted, all it takes is the tip of a single finger to watch the iPhone signal strength drop like a stone. If/when Apple starts posting videos of other phones that lose signal when simply touched I'll start buying their story (Hint: It ain't gonna' happen) Until then I simply interpret their reports as continued attempts to blatantly deceive their customer base. It's an insult to anyone with even just a moderate amount of intelligence.