I fired off a letter to Apple about their iPhone 4 Response

[DustyBottoms]

How about some simple reading comprehension on your part.

Please show me where Apple EVER said that there was a reception problem with the iPhone 4 or that Apple ever said they would fix a reception problem with a software update.

When I read or see a story on the news about the reception problems for the iPhone4, they include Jobs' response to a complaint about the issue. The solution that Jobs offers to the complaint is to hold the phone differently or to use a bumper. Jobs' response is Apple's solution to that problem. If there was no problem, then why would Jobs provide a solution? If AppleCare says that the software update will not solve the reception problem... once again, they admit there is a problem.

While the announcement of a software update to correct reception algorithms didn't specify that it would fix the actual reception problem, I'm sure Apple knew they needed to say something so that people would hang on to their phone, or continue purchasing it on the understanding that the "issue" would be fixed. $$

I like how I get labeled a fanboy for pointing out people can't understand simple english and are complaining while not having their facts straight nor a simple and basic understanding of what is even going on. It has reached absurd proportions at this point and this thread is a perfect example.

The OP is ignorant, and cites an ignorant source. So you basically created a thread that is fundamentally stupid and a waste of time for anyone who actually know what is going on with the iPhone and Apple.

OP was pointing out a problem. This thread benefited me, and I'm sure others, by not only making people more aware of the problem, but by seeing if there was a reasonable solution to the reception issue in using a bumper. I don't consider this thread a waste of my time (writing this response is, though ).

Something that I find amazing is that fanboys like yourself (and this is why you get labeled that) spend the time to not only read about an issue that doesn't pertain to you, but to complain about the people complaining.

Apple gets a lot of feedback from people who do not have problems with the phone, and of the many people I know with iPhone 4s, none of them are having any of these problems.

A handful of people actually have a problem, and some of those smart enough to handle it correctly have exchanged their devices to find their problems magically fixed.

So all this other nonsense being spouted is just that. Pull your heads out.

I find it hard to believe that not one of the many people you know with iPhone4's have this problem. I must conclude by your complaining-of-the-complainers attitude that you are stretching the truth a little. Out of the half dozen or so people I know with the phone, all of them have the problem. Only one of them is taking it back, however, and the others like the phone so much that they are able to put up with the problem. Besides the reception issue, I think that it's the best phone out there, by far. Some people don't weigh the reception as highly as something else, like games. I and many others on the other hand, feel like a phone should be reliable for conversations and data, and that is more important than having a cool little computer. To each, their own.

But... I find it very weird that so many people, like yourself, read through these threads about reception issues, when they don't have the issue themselves. And on top of it, they end up being offended by the people with the reception issues, and make comments like "drop the subject", "you people are absurd" or "ignorant", and "pull your head out". I don't get it... no one is forcing you to read these posts, and it takes a lot more work to find them and read them, than to simply ignore them.

What would the next iPhone be like if no one complained about this version? Would it have the same antenna design as this one? Maybe, maybe not. But because of all the attention that this is receiving, I would put the odds very high that the next iPhone will not have the same antenna design as this one.

...So I will wait for the next one, next year, and in the meantime, I won't be pulling my hair out with dropped calls/slow data.

 

[hariustrk]

To all the whiners, complainers, those who are crushed and can't sleep because your IP4 doesn't meet your expectations...


RETURN THE F'IN PHONE ALREADY....GET A LIFE AND SHUT UP!

IT'S A PHONE AND NO ONE IS MAKING YOU KEEP IT.


This thread should be closed out for sheer stupidity and irrational behavior. Please take your meds now....

If my IP4 didn't work properly I would have returned it for a new one....

Being unhappy with your expensive purchase does not preclude one from having a full life. Maybe , just maybe, it's ok to complain about things you don't like, because THATS HOW THINGS GET NOTICED.

Yes it's a phone, but it's a phone these people paid good money for, under the guise of a high quality product. Apple does not promote thier products as "Pretty Good, most of the time", they promote them as ABOVE the norm. High quality parts, High quality engineering, Stylish design, and Easy to use. That what Apple sells, regaurdless of which product specifically, and they charge a pretty penny for it too.

People like to say you get what you pay for when you buy something from walmart and it breaks 2 weeks later. Well I paid a premium for Apple to sell me a product that doesn't break in 2 weeks, and I can hold comfortabley in BOTH my hands. No where on the box or in the instructions does it say my iPhone 4 is a right handed iPhone. Nor does is there a disclaimer that says "If you wish to hold this phone in your left hand you must purchase a case seperately".

The truth here is Apple made a couple engineering mistakes, and rather then taking responsbility for them, they deflect. THAT is why so many people are mad, because they feel they were sold a KIA at a Ferrai price and then told quit yo whining by Jobs..

 

[carrotcloud]

This thread should be closed out for sheer stupidity and irrational behavior. Please take your meds now....

so did you take your meds? because you are showing those symptoms.

Don't get so upset about it. it's only a phone..

The truth here is Apple made a couple engineering mistakes, and rather then taking responsbility for them, they deflect. THAT is why so many people are mad, because they feel they were sold a KIA at a Ferrai price and then told quit yo whining by Jobs..

did you try the sticky tape? yeah.. put some sticky take on that ferrari.. wtf.. and we can't even have a decent dicussion without the iFans going mental. great.

 

[mmyers0520]

But not if involves redesigning the phone...

thats one issue yes, maybe a hardware one maybe not who knows the rest can most likely be fixed/improved with an update. that's all well and good but a lot of this anger, and possible customer defection, could be assuaged...even fixed...by Apple 1. acknowledging there is a problem and 2. discussing steps they intend to take to fix it. I know the latter of the two might take some planning but just a statement, apology, something to the customers. I think all would agree would be much appreciated, if not expected from a company like Apple.

 

[hariustrk]

thats one issue yes, maybe a hardware one maybe not who knows the rest can most likely be fixed/improved with an update. that's all well and good but a lot of this anger, and possible customer defection, could be assuaged...even fixed...by Apple 1. acknowledging there is a problem and 2. discussing steps they intend to take to fix it. I know the latter of the two might take some planning but just a statement, apology, something to the customers. I think all would agree would be much appreciated, if not expected from a company like Apple.

I have to believe a good portion of this deflection is to avoid a possible $20 milllion profit loss. If they had to take action on every iPhone 4 sold, even if it's a measly $10 per phone, we're talking a significant amount of money.

 

[marksman]

thats one issue yes, maybe a hardware one maybe not who knows the rest can most likely be fixed/improved with an update. that's all well and good but a lot of this anger, and possible customer defection, could be assuaged...even fixed...by Apple 1. acknowledging there is a problem and 2. discussing steps they intend to take to fix it. I know the latter of the two might take some planning but just a statement, apology, something to the customers. I think all would agree would be much appreciated, if not expected from a company like Apple.

But Apple's position based on their reseasrch and feedback is that most people like/love their new iPhones. So why should they do any of those things you mention? That would be crazy given they do not believe there to be a problem, and you saying different does not make it so.

Apple has access to a lot more information regarding the response and feedback on the iPhone 4 than any of us do.

It is tired, it is cliche and it is also correct. If your phone is not working for you either take it in and exchange it, or get a refund.

Apple sold 1.7 million iPhone 4s in a couple weeks. It took them like 70 days to sell 1 million original iPhones. Do you see when saying twice as many devices in 3% of the time you would get the impression of more problems, simply because there are so many more people with phones and they all got them in a much shorter period of time.

They iPhone 4 is wildly successful and they are making them as fast as they can. If you want to provide feedback to apple that their phone is defective, return it for a refund. That will make a statement. If enough customers are having real problems they WILL take action.

However if people just cry on message forums, nothing will happen, because that is not evidence of a problem, that is just evidence that people know how to cry on a message forum.

 

[hariustrk]

However if people just cry on message forums, nothing will happen, because that is not evidence of a problem, that is just evidence that people know how to cry on a message forum.

People have gone to apple and apple has said, there is no issue.
I've seen a number of videos demostrating these issues, I have a number of friends who have experiened these issues. They do exist.

Going to message boards is how you start a grass roots movement these days, it's one of the great things about the internet. When big buisness ignores me, I have recourse here. If enough people agree with me, then my concerns may get heard. National media may troll these boards and pick up on it, start questioning the right people. Action may then be taken. Perception is reality.

The real crying going on here, is the people who don't want hear anything negative about thier precious new iPhone. As many of you like to say "it's just a phone". When one of us has a problem with the phone it's not your job to play damage control for Apple. We're not attacking you, you are not Apple.

But Apple's position based on their reseasrch and feedback is that most people like/love their new iPhones.

I think assumptions like this are funny.

 

[mmyers0520]

..so do you like working for Apple?

But Apple's position based on their reseasrch and feedback is that most people like/love their new iPhones. So why should they do any of those things you mention? That would be crazy given they do not believe there to be a problem, and you saying different does not make it so.

Based on what research? Turn on the news, it's obvious there's been enough public outcry - CNN, MSNBC, ABC nightly, etc. are all reporting the issue. What generates pieces like that? Public outcry and the thought that other consumers would like to hear about the issue (aka chances are they might be experiencing it too). The customer saying differently does make it so actually - if you have enough unhappy people, you address the problem. Period. I didn't say replace phones, or even fix it right now, merely address it.

It is tired, it is cliche and it is also correct. If your phone is not working for you either take it in and exchange it, or get a refund.

right, and my luck they'd come out with some miraculous improvement, a credit, or something like that. I think many of us are in limbo right now waiting for them to address the problem.

Apple sold 1.7 million iPhone 4s in a couple weeks. It took them like 70 days to sell 1 million original iPhones. Do you see when saying twice as many devices in 3% of the time you would get the impression of more problems, simply because there are so many more people with phones and they all got them in a much shorter period of time.

I don't get the order frenzy logic. No one had the phone - we all expected them to be amazing so we all ordered. Those ~1.7 million people didn't know there'd be this issue. My guess is that sales # would be less had they/we known. Doesn't matter if there's 3x the amount of people getting them or 1/2 the amount...or 3x..../2+1-5...doesn't matter. There's a problem and tons of people are upset.

They iPhone 4 is wildly successful and they are making them as fast as they can. If you want to provide feedback to apple that their phone is defective, return it for a refund. That will make a statement. If enough customers are having real problems they WILL take action.

I'll call the phone successful when I can hold it like I've held countless cell phones before it and make/receive calls. Just because they sell a lot of $***** and doesn't change the way it smells...it's still $****..."wildly successful" $*****. And you obviously haven't read the thread, my original post was to stick up for the OP and to give him Kudos for providing Apple with constructive feedback, backed up with facts. Returning the phone may come with little/no feed back. I think emails/calls stating the problem/providing data is much more constructive.

However if people just cry on message forums, nothing will happen, because that is not evidence of a problem, that is just evidence that people know how to cry on a message forum.

Again, missed the point of the thread. OP was posting what he DID...not crying about it just showing the data and what he wrote. And what he sent in, the class action suits, the countless news stories, youtube videos, and experts stating that there IS a problem should be enough evidence for even the densest of Apple employees.

so let me summarize the OPs point, and mine, since clearly it was missed by you.

1. many are expereincing a problem (aforementioned in my post). and it's not whining when it is a BIG issue for a cell phone to be unable to make calls. They don't make cars w/o engines, boats that don't float, or planes that can't fly. So don't make a phone....that can't make PHONE calls. derrrrr
2. good job to the OP for putting together a clear, non-whiny email and including data to back up his argument
3. I don't want a credit from Apple, or an instant fix, or a new phone (which is why I haven't returned mine...I'm guessing the new one will have the same issues). All I, and probably many others want, is an utterance from Apple addressing the problems. PR 101 folks...consider the public(s) and the problem at hand and speak to it. That's it.

 

[ntrigue]

3. I don't want a credit from Apple, or an instant fix, or a new phone (which is why I haven't returned mine...I'm guessing the new one will have the same issues). All I, and probably many others want, is an utterance from Apple addressing the problems. PR 101 folks...consider the public(s) and the problem at hand and speak to it. That's it.

A lot of my motivation was your number three. A basic acknowledgment that something is awry. I'm on Craiglist right now seeing a lot of great deals on 3GSs, a phone that worked great.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

A lot of my motivation was your number three. A basic acknowledgment that something is awry. I'm on Craiglist right now seeing a lot of great deals on 3GSs, a phone that worked great.

If not for the hi- res display, I would dump my iP4 & go back to a 3Gs. But I've decided to live with it. Once the next iPhone is released instead of trusting Apple like I did this time, I will wait & see what the users have to say.*

 

[freedevil]

I just want to chime in on the people saying return the phone. I don't own it, waiting on white and it might be plagued with the same issues.

a) We spent a lot of many on apps
b) We pay for mobileme every year
c) Our calendars and computers are all mac and iphone ready
d) We love the Iphone

So the solution is not that simple. If the antenna issue is truly bothering so many people, they have a right to complain and be upset. Lets just wait for the software update and see if they resolve some of the other issues as well.

 

[317342]

I was waiting for the white one to begin with so "waiting" was not a big deal for me. I also am thinking the whole reception issue is way overblown. This was an article I thought really summed it up well...

http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/2010/6/26/hey-hold-the-phone-like-this.html

 

[Chimpware]

I was waiting for the white one to begin with so "waiting" was not a big deal for me. I also am thinking the whole reception issue is way overblown. This was an article I thought really summed it up well...

http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/2010/6/26/hey-hold-the-phone-like-this.html

Interesting I guess, but basically just another "expert" opinion with no testing at all and he doesn't even have an iPhone or even know that until the 4 you could get into test mode and display signal strength and that others have used a backup trick to do this on the 4.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

It only happens in areas with a weak signal. A strong signal will compensate. So AT&T should be blamed for their inconsistent network (this has been verified by many 3rd party tests).

 

[JulianL]

If not for the hi- res display, I would dump my iP4 & go back to a 3Gs. But I've decided to live with it. Once the next iPhone is released instead of trusting Apple like I did this time, I will wait & see what the users have to say.*

It will be very interesting to see how long the public's memory is on this one and whether it will diminish the queue of early adopters next June/July because other people are doing the same as you, waiting a bit for some mass feedback.

The iPhone 4 is my first iPhone and I very definitely see the problem. I can gently put one finger on the lower left seam and see the signal drop from 5 bars to no connection in about 20 seconds or so and then return to 5 bars in about 10 seconds after I remove my finger. I'm actually not that bothered by it though because I am happy to adjust and make sure that I don't hold the phone with my finger over that seam; for me it's not a big inconvenience.

- Julian

 

[ouimetnick]

Did you send it to sjobs@apple.com or another email address? I would have sent Steve and email, and mailed a hard copy letter to

Apple Inc
Attn: Steve Jobs
1 infinite Loop
Cupertino CA

 

[Glideslope]

It only happens in areas with a weak signal. A strong signal will compensate. So AT&T should be blamed for their inconsistent network (this has been verified by many 3rd party tests).

Then bring it to another US carrier and prove your speculation. It's the phone this time. Could very well have been since 2007. The wife's Blackberry never drops a call on at&t.

IMO, Johnny Ive is compromising design over function too much these days. People are afraid to disagree with the Diety Jobs and his Design Leader.

End result: iPhone 4.

 

[JulianL]

Did you send it to sjobs@apple.com or another email address? I would have sent Steve and email, and mailed a hard copy letter to

Apple Inc
Attn: Steve Jobs
1 infinite Loop
Cupertino CA

I haven't read this entire thread so this has probably been said already but .... I would place a bet on the fact that none of this stuff is likely to get anywhere near Steve Jobs. All this stuff will go to his admin staff and PA/EAs and then probably straight on to customer services or wherever they deem appropriate. I suspect that the reason we get the famous Jobs one-liners is that his support staff have probably been told to select <x> emails per week (where <x> will be quite a low number) to actually show him so that he can respond. That decision is probably made by his EA. The chance of being one of the emails selected will be pretty low since I suspect he gets thousands of unsolicited emails every week.

- Julian

 

[ntrigue]

Did you send it to sjobs@apple.com or another email address? I would have sent Steve and email, and mailed a hard copy letter to

Apple Inc
Attn: Steve Jobs
1 infinite Loop
Cupertino CA

Yes, I sent it via MobileMe (kiss up) to that address and the two Public Relations emails listed on the letter addressing the issue.

 

[ntrigue]

I haven't read this entire thread so this has probably been said already but .... I would place a bet on the fact that none of this stuff is likely to get anywhere near Steve Jobs. All this stuff will go to his admin staff and PA/EAs and then probably straight on to customer services or wherever they deem appropriate. I suspect that the reason we get the famous Jobs one-liners is that his support staff have probably been told to select <x> emails per week (where <x> will be quite a low number) to actually show him so that he can respond. That decision is probably made by his EA. The chance of being one of the emails selected will be pretty low since I suspect he gets thousands of unsolicited emails every week.

- Julian

I've always wondered about that. Now that the emails get responses it seems like he must receive millions.

 

[ntrigue]

Then bring it to another US carrier and prove your speculation. It's the phone this time. Could very well have been since 2007. The wife's Blackberry never drops a call on at&t.

IMO, Johnny Ive is compromising design over function too much these days. People are afraid to disagree with the Diety Jobs and his Design Leader.

End result: iPhone 4.

All iPhones experience attenuation. None experienced to such an extreme that the visual bars dropped one very 5 seconds.

 

[ntrigue]

It will be very interesting to see how long the public's memory is on this one and whether it will diminish the queue of early adopters next June/July because other people are doing the same as you, waiting a bit for some mass feedback.

The iPhone 4 is my first iPhone and I very definitely see the problem. I can gently put one finger on the lower left seam and see the signal drop from 5 bars to no connection in about 20 seconds or so and then return to 5 bars in about 10 seconds after I remove my finger. I'm actually not that bothered by it though because I am happy to adjust and make sure that I don't hold the phone with my finger over that seam; for me it's not a big inconvenience.

- Julian

I will not early adopt next June. My memory will endure enough to remember waiting for nine hours despite having a reservation. Then when I get the phone the performance on 3G is reduced until the reports showed up I had no clue why.

 

[62tele]

Folks,
I am a huge Apple fan but face it, Apple fell short in it's antenna design.
I will not be upgrading from my 3G. If apple continues to make the pathetic ATT it's sole carrier, I will discontinue use of my iPhone when it's time to renew. AT&T really sucks in my area and I frequently drop calls. It is a phone and if it is not reliable then it's pretty useless.
But, the bottom line is Apple only refreshes once per year and their rollouts should be virtually flawless and clearly this refresh has been far from flawless.
Apple's response to the issue has been disappointing!

 

[Despacio]

Folks,
I am a huge Apple fan but face it, Apple fell short in it's antenna design.
I will not be upgrading from my 3G. If apple continues to make the pathetic ATT it's sole carrier, I will discontinue use of my iPhone when it's time to renew. AT&T really sucks in my area and I frequently drop calls. It is a phone and if it is not reliable then it's pretty useless.
But, the bottom line is Apple only refreshes once per year and their rollouts should be virtually flawless and clearly this refresh has been far from flawless.
Apple's response to the issue has been disappointing!

Yeah, I just got my iPhone 4 from Best Buy. Here at home when I'm not touching the phone the bars go up to 3 or 4. When I am touching it, holding it in a normal way to surf the web or what not, the bars will go all the way down to SEARCHING . . . status. And there is definitely no signal anymore as it wont connect to the app store or anything.

I normally use wi-fi at home but even then while my wi-fi signal holds strong, the At&T signal drops out and often I'm not paying attention which means that any calls that come in will not reach me and that's very troubling.

So if the bars are calculated wrong what comes after the SEARCHING . . . status, does my phone blow up in my hand? Such a silly and obtuse explanation from Apple.

 

[317342]

I don't get the bitterness and hostility in this thread--if you guys hate the phone (and Apple) so much, just return the thing. It's almost like you have this sick love affair with on-again-off-again girlfriend who won't bend to your every will or emotion. You call yourselves "Apple fans" yet you bash and kick Apple like they're Micro$oft's left nut.

I'd be embarrassed to say I'm a Mac or Apple anything if it meant I was akin to the incessant whining that you people seem to pride yourselves on. This "I need...I want....I deserve" crowd is repugnant, and the iPhone appears to be the lightening rod for this overwhelming abundance of it.

Oh, already returned the iPhone 4? Great! Still need something to lament and grieve about? Take a trip to the Gulf of Mexico and use your "clearly and obviously" defective iPhones to plug the leak. At least it would go to a ever so slightly more selfless cause than sitting in front of your computer, bellyaching over why your bars don't jump when you want them to.

Perhaps something with the calibre of "largest oil spill in recorded human history" is something more noble of despair than your own materialist deluge of dolefulness over a material item. Moreover, if you tire of breathing the oil fumes and they begin to make you sick, take a trip to Haiti, and hang out with the locals....show them your iPhone 4, lament about how the bars aren't moving the way you want them to... I'm sure that you'll have lots in common together.

In other words--get over yourselves, it's a phone for christ's sake. There's a lot more important things going on in the world than what vibrates in your pocket or sends your "I'm on the couch, contemplating my navel" tweets to your closest 1000 friends on Twitter. Clearly if you had enough things to do in your own lives the least of them would be lamenting your iPhone's cellular reception, and Apple.