Coverage of Apple's iPhone 4 Press Conference

[iSpud]

Anyone have a link to a video of the Press Conference?

 

[Papajohn56]

If the temporary case offer expires on 9/30, will Consumer Reports amend their rating? This isn't a permanent solution.

Was wondering this, too

 

[pbrooks]

After the press conference, everything seems snappier.

 

[wovel]

1. A lot of people having the issue didn't call AppleCare, so using that as a measurable is a little deceiving

2. A lot of people may have been holding out on their return until hearing what Apple had to say. Now, some will keep it with the free bumper, and others will return. This number will go up, but probably not as high if they wouldn't have offered a free bumper.

I also think it's funny how the Pro-Apple people that have been criticizing the consumers with this issue will be right there in line for their free bumper. If you want to do what's right, you'll only request a bumper if you are having the issue.

Normal consumer behavior is to contact technical support when they experience a problem with a device they have paid a lot of money for. It would be very abnormal for anyone experiencing a problem to wait for a press conference.

 

[ModestForumName]

After the press conference, everything seems snappier.

yeah i'm sure a lot of people who don't know any better [present company excluded] are going to be coming out of their placebo hysteria -cue muse song-

 

[sportsfan]

If the temporary case offer expires on 9/30, will Consumer Reports amend their rating? This isn't a permanent solution.

This is such a BS line. Consumer Reports RATED the IPhone4 the BEST smart phone.
They just didn't put the "recommended" icon next to it.

 

[jcmeyer5]

Statistics can be made up or spun in your favor.

Facts are facts... regardless of the spin. the fact is that iP4 has had a lower rate of incidence with both AppleCare and returns than previous phones and the industry as a whole. How is that spin? It is reading the data and stating the obvious. the SPIN would be "Gosh the iP4 is just fine as-is because hardly anyone is complaining or returning it."

You ask any business in nearly any industry if a 0.55% complaint rate and a 1.7% return rate are good. Good doesnt even cover it... try unrealistically fantastic. of 3,000,000 units sold, returns have been 50,000? Really? What is that rate amoung auto manufacturers, home electronics, etc. Hell, how about the food we eat?

 

[Intarweb]

Normal consumer behavior is to contact technical support when they experience a problem with a device they have paid a lot of money for. It would be very abnormal for anyone experiencing a problem to wait for a press conference.

Actually normal consumer behavior to fix electronics is to call a family member or friend who is tech savvy to fix it. Sometimes I wish I didn't know so much about computers and electronics

 

[wovel]

This is such a BS line. Consumer Reports RATED the IPhone4 the BEST smart phone.
They just didn't put the "recommended" icon next to it.

I don't believe any other phones in that test received a recommend icon either.

 

[bawbag]

Actually normal consumer behavior to fix electronics is to call a family member or friend who is tech savvy to fix it. Sometimes I wish I didn't know so much about computers and electronics

My mum just presses every button then calls me

 

[dijisurf]

He could say any number he wants. Who exactly can challenge it? That info is not public.

sec, ftc, you name it. of course he is using accurate numbers

 

[iPhoneVic]

forget

about the bumper refund...just give me 2 shares of apple stock...

 

[wovel]

Actually normal consumer behavior to fix electronics is to call a family member or friend who is tech savvy to fix it. Sometimes I wish I didn't know so much about computers and electronics

Fair enough. If a family member called and told you their new phone was constantly dropping calls, would you tell them to wait for a press conference? I am that person too, and I know what I would tell them. Sounds like something is wrong with your phone, you should call Apple..

 

[tatonka]

then instead of saying, "statistics aren't facts," you meant to say, "not all statistics are facts."

are you then suggesting apple is lying about these statistics?

if so, what percentage should they have stated, and what are you basing that on?

Well the thing is without knowing all the data you cannot tell what a statistic tells you. That doesn't mean that all statistics are wrong .. yet the are not facts.

Example:
The iPhone4 is dropping ~1 call more per 100 calls. Without a point of reference that pretty much tells you nothing. If the 3GS dropped 50 out of a hundred, one more isn't that bad. If the 3GS drops ~1 call that it is twice as much .. quite significantly more.

1.7 of people returned their phone til yesterday, maybe because they heard from coverage in the media that Apple was working on something and wanted to give them a chance to solve it. They still have more then a week to return it now.
Although I agree that it strongly suggests people are acutally happy with their phone and the antenna thing is not a problem for them.

T.

 

[Otaviano]

So they've found a way to fix it - and they are of course making new phones now which will not have "the problem" - but these will not hit the retail channel until September. If you want an iPhone 4 that works properly, wait until then to get one. If, like me, you've already got one and like me, you have "the problem" [not everyone does apparently, even though Steve basically said that every smart phone including the iPhone has this problem, some people still refuse to believe him], they are going to give you a FREE bumper or 3rd party case to shut you up!

So all this stuff we've been reading about software fixes and special black phones being exchanged in store was just bollocks [as Steve would say].

So that's that - we're screwed!

BTW if you're one of the people that says they can't see a problem with the signal, then you'd better not be applying for a FREE case - those are only for the people who shouted loud enough for Apple to hear and then do as little as possible about it. Wankers!!

If you aren't satisfied with the phone go and return it and buy a phone that meets your needs.

It's really not that complicated.

 

[morphineseason]

So they've found a way to fix it - and they are of course making new phones now which will not have "the problem" - but these will not hit the retail channel until September. If you want an iPhone 4 that works properly, wait until then to get one.

Not sure where you got that from. The design will remain the same until they release iPhone 5 (or whatever it will be called). September is simply the cutoff date for getting free cases, which after that they will re-evaluate the situation.

 

[iLunar]

So they've found a way to fix it - and they are of course making new phones now which will not have "the problem" - but these will not hit the retail channel until September. If you want an iPhone 4 that works properly, wait until then to get one. If, like me, you've already got one and like me, you have "the problem" [not everyone does apparently, even though Steve basically said that every smart phone including the iPhone has this problem, some people still refuse to believe him], they are going to give you a FREE bumper or 3rd party case to shut you up!

So all this stuff we've been reading about software fixes and special black phones being exchanged in store was just bollocks [as Steve would say].

So that's that - we're screwed!

You could always return the phone for a full refund and wait until Sept 30 to see if they change the design.

 

[shakenmartini]

Normal consumer behavior is to contact technical support when they experience a problem with a device they have paid a lot of money for. It would be very abnormal for anyone experiencing a problem to wait for a press conference.

No they just come to macrumors and complain that apple and steve jobs are killing kittens because they have antenna problems.

 

[SDAVE]

Very disappointed in Apple.

Free case? Yeah I'll get my refund, but I will not get the next iPhone.

The fact that they put the antenna OUTSIDE of the phone makes this issue much larger! Other phones (and their own 3G/3GS/2G) have it INSIDE of the phone, so grabbing the phone with the antenna inside will not cause such an issue.

Shame on Apple.

 

[firewood]

1. A lot of people having the issue didn't call AppleCare, so using that as a measurable is a little deceiving

A lot of people having the issue with their 3GS didn't call AppleCare either, so the relative ratio of i4 calls versus 3GS calls is much more statistically relavant.

It's a small minority.

 

[meatballs]

So you expect a massive wave of iPhone 4 returns starting now? Enjoy that.

You're right. Most people have already bought the hype about this "magical" phone and in their minds the "problem" doesn't exist. They usually have an X painted on their fore heads.

 

[LOLaMac]

You gotta love the irony of Steve Jobs proclaiming the iPhone 4 as being the best smartphone in the world at a press conference (the first ever by Apple) whose only purpose for existing is to stave off widespread talk of defects making the iPhone 4 *not* the best smartphone in the world.

 

[skeebers]

Once again...
You will be able to order a bumper or other selection of cases from Apple late next week on their website. They will send it to you. You cannot facilitate this at an Apple Store.

Thanks for clarifying this for the original poster... I'd like to add....

It's people like the original poster.. Who think they know it all and have all the info that go and start all this crap. It's more than apparent this guy just has no reading comprehension or listening skills. You called apple and they didn't know about any if this because Apple clearly stated you could do so next week... But you called today... The person on the other end of your call just turned and looked at his cube mate and said " what a dumbass I just got". I'm pretty sure they are still laughing at you... I know pretty much everyone who I've shown your post to had the same reaction.. ITS BETTER TO REMAIN SILENT AND BE THOUGHT A FOOL.. THAN OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT!

 

[B. Hunter]

A dinosaurs that will last another 10 years. And 10 years from now will have more marketshare than Mac could ever dream of.

Clown Boy must be sitting on your lap.

Who knows what it will be like 10 years from now. Apple is not the only company to experience problems.
One thing is for sure. There is a lot of Windoze users around the world using Microsoft products experiencing problems every day.

 

[cmChimera]

1. A lot of people having the issue didn't call AppleCare, so using that as a measurable is a little deceiving

2. A lot of people may have been holding out on their return until hearing what Apple had to say. Now, some will keep it with the free bumper, and others will return. This number will go up, but probably not as high if they wouldn't have offered a free bumper.

I also think it's funny how the Pro-Apple people that have been criticizing the consumers with this issue will be right there in line for their free bumper. If you want to do what's right, you'll only request a bumper if you are having the issue.

1. Well they should have, if they were having problems.

2. There are other reasons for return besides for an antenna issue.

3. I don't see a problem with the phone but I'll take a free case. Why wouldn't I? Apple providing me a free case for my phone despite the belief that the phone is behaving normally, is one of the reasons why I buy from them.