Okay, for everyone out there who doesn't understand, software CAN mitigate SOME hardware problems if the software is aware of the problem and is capable of dealing with it to an extent. It most likely wouldn't be perfect, but if apple can at least mitigate the problem, it would probably be sufficient for some users who have the problem, which many don't.
Anyone who says hardware can't be "fixed" with software. Most hardware in electronics devices, especially things like cell phones is controlled and managed via software. They are the fuel that makes the hardware work and without the software the hardware would literally do nothing.
I think you just need to ignore anyone who says you can't fix a hardware issue through software, because it is blanketly ignorant.
That being said, Apple has never said there is an issue. They have simply said the iPhone 4 has similar issues with reception decreasing when interfering with the antenna like other phones.
There is some data suggesting some people might actually have faulty phones. Some of those people seem to want to just complain until Steve Jobs comes to their house in a Sleigh and swaps it out for them.
If you bought an iPhone 4 at release and have had significant reception issues all along and you have not swapped it out and had a better experience, or returned it for a refund, you have NOBODY to blame but yourself.
I already know what is going to happen, but I can pretend like some people will take responsibility for themselves and not keep their phone which they claim does not even work beyond the return period. I am confident people will be clamoring and demanding Apple extend the 30 day return period and fly them to Aruba and whatever else they can come up with...
However at this point, for anyone who bought a phone in the first week and continues to be plagued by reception issues, return the phone and exchange it for another one. If you have already done that, then figure out how to get a refund. Stop playing games and making spectacles of yourself.
It is all nice to say that the phone should just work and you want an iPhone. However when we move into grownupland we sometimes have to realize something is not going to work for us and thus we need to move on with our lives. We can't simply stomp our feet and hold our breath until it is magically replaced/repaired.
If you want to get upset and blame apple for not making an iPhone 4 that works for you, go for it. If you want to not return it/exchange it and complain after your return period is over that Apple screwed you, like some of you will, then get bent.