iPhone 4 Signal Issue Can Be Fixed With a Software Update?

[Belly-laughs]

Extended free return period

Steve will say software bug revealed because of unique antenna design. Software fix is in the works but will take a few more weeks. Free return window will be extended to two weeks after firmware update for users to determine if phone now performs as intended.

 

[broken-chaos]

I'll give them that a software update may be able to not drop calls so much -- I don't know enough about antennae engineering or software that works with it to say one way or the other there.

But a software update isn't going to be able to negate an actual 24 dBm drop in signal. At most, it'll limit the effects of such a large, rapid drop to something less disruptive.

 

[tomccabe]

Hey I get it! It didn't require much imagination because you're saying I'm unemployed!!! Very good! I feel like I've lost the verbal battle. I shouldn't pick a fight with a guy called Tom Mac Gabe on an Apple site. You know Mac Gabe it's kinda like an Macintosh computer, get it? That's pretty funny, you're like a computer, to operate your Tom Mac Gabe remember to wear your special metal gloves to avoid infection, you know because you have have contagious diseases.

It's pretty tough to have a war of words with someone so woefully unarmed.

 

[Sabenth]

guess wait and see what is said Later. I get the feeling we will never truly know what caused all of this other than a design fault.

 

[SteveOutOfJobs]

It's pretty tough to have a war of words with someone so woefully unarmed.

unarmed? Are you calling me an amputee? What's the matter with you??!?!?!

 

[DMann]

Hey I get it! It didn't require much imagination because you're saying I'm unemployed!!! Very good! I feel like I've lost the verbal battle. I shouldn't pick a fight with a guy called Tom Mac Gabe on an Apple site. You know Mac Gabe it's kinda like an Macintosh computer, get it? That's pretty funny, you're like a computer, to operate your Tom Mac Gabe remember to wear your special metal gloves to avoid infection, you know because you have have contagious diseases.

eh????

unarmed? Are you calling me an amputee? What's the matter with you??!?!?!

LOLZ

 

[Bernard SG]

You have Apple shill written all over your replies. Asking whether people have actually lost their signal. Yes, lots of people have lost calls and signals because of this problem, did you somehow not see the dozens of YouTube videos demonstrating how the signal degrades at a mere touch of the spot? If I hold the phone naked on my house I have absolutely no signal.

"lots of people" = how many? what percentage of iPhone 4 users? What frequency of signal loss? How does it compare to the average of other phones?
Please, note that I am not dismissing the problem, here; however, there is a lot of noise, rumors, opinions and anecdotal evidence Re. this issue; but a cruel lack of relevant data that allow to reasonably assess the size of this problem.

Again, your suggesting that somehow this software explanation is credible, but you seem oblivious to the fact that it's purely a leaked response to Bloomberg's report this morning, and Apple has already used the "it's just a software problem" excuse once.

You and many others seem to be suggesting that this info is leaked by Apple. I don't see the interest of leaking stuff (which actually is not looking that good for Apple) 12 hours ahead of holding a pressers.

What we have is a perfect illustration of how ****ed the media are nowadays, it's all about scoring points one way or another in the news cycle; never mind whether the information is verified or not; worse than that actually: verifiable or not. It's just about having something to write about the issue du jour.

 

[RF9]

I agree. Cases have a massive profit margin. Frankly we're all fools for paying $20 plus for this <$1 junk but we do. I've worked for consumer electronics companies that nearly gave away the main product only to make money on the accessories. It's the ol' "give the printer away and charge for the ink" model.

But if there is design issue that prompted the bumper, I think it's because Apple identified that the new design is more fragile and that some shock absorbing piece of plastic was going to be desired and necessary. By designing their own, they could maintain the aesthetics and make $870 million ($29 x 30 million customers) while they were at it.

I do not think it was premeditated based on antenna design. In fact I think the fact that it solves the 'antenna issue' is a mere fluke. I think that when they came up with the bumper, the antenna 'design flaw' wasn't even on their radar.

I bought one of these bumpers. It's OK. I think it doesn't fit snugly enough (it has a little too much play.) But otherwise it's very nice. But the bumper has one massive design flaw, you can not use after market iPhone sync cables. They made the dock hole so small and to such tight tolerance that it will only allow the Apple branded connector. No 3rd party cable you buy is small enough to fit through that case. So don't even bother.
In fact, I intend to return mine for my $29 back citing "I'm unsatisfied."

 

[Alonzo84]

Hey I get it! It didn't require much imagination because you're saying I'm unemployed!!! Very good! I feel like I've lost the verbal battle. I shouldn't pick a fight with a guy called Tom Mac Gabe on an Apple site. You know Mac Gabe it's kinda like an Macintosh computer, get it? That's pretty funny, you're like a computer, to operate your Tom Mac Gabe remember to wear your special metal gloves to avoid infection, you know because you have have contagious diseases.

Where are you getting Mac Gabe from?

 

[Wilbah]

All of the very witty and sarcastic posts put aside for a second, a few thoughts...

I believe it is possible to overcome hardware limitations and issues with software updates. Anyone who doesn't should take a close look at even more complicated hardware snafu's (i.e. Hubble Telescope for example) to see how software engineers can overcome physical mistakes and make an otherwise flawed device live up to it's intended goal. It might not happen at the snap of a finger, but they'll get it right.

Having had iPhone's since day 1, I have always believed that there was something fishy about how the iPhone communicated with cell towers. There have been ridiculous fluctuations in signal strength metering- going from 5 bars to no bars while standing in the same location- from day 1. Also, the iPhone dropping calls in 3-4 bar range while other phones on the same network reported less bars (2-3) and were able to make calls consistently. This sort of stuff has been happening across all models, since the very beginning. How else to explain my 3GS and original iPhone consistently dropping calls in my house standing 10 feet away from my AT&T micro cell? this issue in particular has been exacerbated since updating to iOS4.

There are WAY to many variables to begin to understand why this is, (battery management, safe signal limitations, network parity, etc etc).

In my opinion, I think iOS4 is as much a culprit here, (or at least has opened a pandoras box) as the hardware issue- again, a hardware issue which I think is very real, but can be managed.

I'm looking forward to the press conference. Up until now, they've just danced around the issues.....They need to hit a home run here and first, at the very least, acknowledge some culpability; so that we can put some faith in their ability to fix it.

 

[DMann]

What we have is a perfect illustration of how ****ed the media are nowadays, it's all about scoring points one way or another in the news cycle; never mind whether the information is verified or not; worse than that actually: verifiable or not. It's just about having something to write about the issue du jour.

If the "fix" turns out to be a timely and successful one, then all of this will, in turn, become an ultra-high-profile, surge of free publicity.

Stay Tuned.

 

[tomccabe]

I agree. Cases have a massive profit margin. Frankly we're all fools for paying $20 plus for this <$1 junk but we do. I've worked for consumer electronics companies that nearly gave away the main product only to make money on the accessories. It's the ol' "give the printer away and charge for the ink" model.

But if there is design issue that prompted the bumper, I think it's because Apple identified that the new design is more fragile and that some shock absorbing piece of plastic was going to be desired and necessary. By designing their own, they could maintain the aesthetics and make $870 million ($29 x 30 million customers) while they were at it.

I do not think it was premeditated based on antenna design. In fact I think the fact that it solves the 'antenna issue' is a mere fluke. I think that when they came up with the bumper, the antenna 'design flaw' wasn't even on their radar.

I bought one of these bumpers. It's OK. I think it doesn't fit snugly enough (it has a little too much play.) But otherwise it's very nice. But the bumper has one massive design flaw, you can not use after market iPhone sync cables. They made the dock hole so small and to such tight tolerance that it will only allow the Apple branded connector. No 3rd party cable you buy is small enough to fit through that case. So don't even bother.
In fact, I intend to return mine for my $29 back citing "I'm unsatisfied."

Very true. I did pro audio sales at Guitar Center when I was growing up and there was ZERO profit on actual keyboards, sequencers, DAT decks, etc. All of our commissions were based solely on our ability to get customers to buy cables and other accessories.

I agree that the "fix" is aort of a happy accident. The point of the bumper was to be available first and nearly exclusively and keep the glass back exposed (so people KNOW you have the latest phone).

 

[Eddyisgreat]

I have a hard time believing this. The very existence of "bumpers" from the beginning says to me that Apple knew of this issue. And I absolutely don't believe that neither Apple nor AT&T encountered the issue when testing undisguised phones in their labs.

right. the bumpers don't exist because of the glass panels that protrude on the front and back of the phone which are susceptible to scratches and can be rather slippery on certain surfaces.

You, sir, have cracked the mystery.

 

[RF9]

What we have is a perfect illustration of how ****ed the media are nowadays, it's all about scoring points one way or another in the news cycle; never mind whether the information is verified or not; worse than that actually: verifiable or not. It's just about having something to write about the issue du jour.

Here Here. I don't be believe any of the **** I read today. The more incredible and shocking the revelation from "a source" the more I'm inclined to dismiss it as BS.

So someone said they this antenna engineer told Steve that the antenna design was flawed. Where have I heard that before?
My sister's roomate's ex-boyfriend hear from a guy that was dating a girl who said her best friend said that (make some **** up here.)
The point is regardless of what this engineer said to Steve, under which context, I'm sure it's way different than how it was portrayed in the article.

People raise concerns EVERY DAY. And one thing I've learned from any CEO I've worked under is that they don't want to hear what you say unless you SHOW THEM some kind of data to back it up.
If said engineer said threw up some graphs and spreadsheets, Steve would have likely said "let's test the design and come up with an alternative" not "but I want it to look pretty."

Don't get me wrong. My opinion of Jobs is that he's arrogant. But he's not a total idiot.

 

[chaosbringer]

Software can fix this?? that's like saying that if I update my Power Support App, my screen shield would fit better
Apple should just make the metal part all one part for one antenna and move the other one to the inside of the phone, best of two worlds!

 

[tomccabe]

All of the very witty and sarcastic posts put aside for a second, a few thoughts...

I believe it is possible to overcome hardware limitations and issues with software updates. Anyone who doesn't should take a close look at even more complicated hardware snafu's (i.e. Hubble Telescope for example) to see how software engineers can overcome physical mistakes and make an otherwise flawed device live up to it's intended goal. It might not happen at the snap of a finger, but they'll get it right.

Having had iPhone's since day 1, I have always believed that there was something fishy about how the iPhone communicated with cell towers. There have been ridiculous fluctuations in signal strength metering- going from 5 bars to no bars while standing in the same location- from day 1. Also, the iPhone dropping calls in 3-4 bar range while other phones on the same network reported less bars (2-3) and were able to make calls consistently. This sort of stuff has been happening across all models, since the very beginning. How else to explain my 3GS and original iPhone consistently dropping calls in my house standing 10 feet away from my AT&T micro cell? this issue in particular has been exacerbated since updating to iOS4.

There are WAY to many variables to begin to understand why this is, (battery management, safe signal limitations, network parity, etc etc).

In my opinion, I think iOS4 is as much a culprit here, (or at least has opened a pandoras box) as the hardware issue- again, a hardware issue which I think is very real, but can be managed.

I'm looking forward to the press conference. Up until now, they've just danced around the issues.....They need to hit a home run here and first, at the very least, acknowledge some culpability; so that we can put some faith in their ability to fix it.

+1000 for rational thought on all points.

 

[DMann]

All of our commissions were based solely on our ability to get customers to buy cables and other accessories.

Thanks for verifying that!

Sam Ash and Manny's made a bundle back then, although I often convinced the sales people to "throw in" cables and accessories for the win while "price matching."

 

[SteveOutOfJobs]

Where are you getting Mac Gabe from?

From the Gabble-store near you.

 

[RF9]

LOL.
On Bloomberg TV right now
"iPhone 4: A Bad Apple?"

 

[jacg]

Made for iPhone4+Bumper

I bought one of these bumpers. It's OK. I think it doesn't fit snugly enough (it has a little too much play.) But otherwise it's very nice. But the bumper has one massive design flaw, you can not use after market iPhone sync cables. They made the dock hole so small and to such tight tolerance that it will only allow the Apple branded connector. No 3rd party cable you buy is small enough to fit through that case. So don't even bother.
In fact, I intend to return mine for my $29 back citing "I'm unsatisfied."

I like my bumper - without it the phone looks pretty but I feel like I have to handle it like fine bone china. And without it I lose signal with the death grip.

So if Bumpers become the norm, how long until accessories support it? I've already found that my in-car connection cable and at least one USB sync cable don't fit.

 

[TwoBytes]

If this issue can be fixed with a software update, why bother releasing 4.0.1 only to turn around and release 4.0.2 the next day?

The post above is the best post in the whole thread. If it could have been fixed, Apple would have done it in 4.0.1. We've had to wait so long for this update already that Apple would have put any 'fix' in 4.0.1. They've had enough time to sort this and I'm sure Apple HQ were working day and night getting every member of staff on this update because this is the biggest hurting brand damaging problem apple has. They wouldn't just bring out another 0.1 update a few weeks later if it could be fixed...this would have been it!

Sorry, i'm calling this rumour. I understand people want to believe this but it's just hope. I could be wrong but Apple would be stupid to either 1: come out with loads of different bug fix updates for one problem 2:not announcing that there will be another firmware update to fix this drop call issue

 

[tomccabe]

Thanks for verifying that!

Sam Ash and Manny's made a bundle back then, although I often convinced the sales people to "throw in" cables and accessories for the win while "price matching."

Without a doubt. We'd undercut wholesale cost on a $2k keyboard and make $300 profit on selling the customer Monster Cables (probably a 500%+ markup on these IIRC). Often the rub on his was that we made customers feel stupid for buying ****** cables to go along with their expensive gear. An Apple Bumper costs under $.20 to make. Why *wouldn't* a company want to get into the accessory game? The fact that major case manufacturers are STILL trying to get cases out because of Apple's withholding of specs tells me all I need to know about the actual motivations for making the Bumper.

 

[baryon]

Here's another fix:

 

[adztaylor]

All this speculation. What they need to do in this press conference is lay all of their cards out on the table, go into the technical details fully explaining what the problem is and why some are experiencing this. Explain what they are going to do to people affected.

More BS about signal representation won't wash with anyone. Anymore "We were shocked to discover........" and they're gonna lose all credibility.

 

[RF9]

I like my bumper - without it the phone looks pretty but I feel like I have to handle it like fine bone china. And without it I lose signal with the death grip.

So if Bumpers become the norm, how long until accessories support it? I've already found that my in-car connection cable and at least one USB sync cable don't fit.

The bumper is nice. It's attractive, I love the metal buttons. But I would have liked to see a rubber internal lining to help with shock and to keep the phone from shifting (slightly) in it..

I've wondered the same thing. I think Belkin, etc. are re-tooling right now to make cables connectors that fit. We'll eventually see them marketed as "iPhone 4 compatible" or "iPhone bumper compatible." Hopefully it's not an issue of a patent or something preventing them from doing so.

It doesn't matter. I'm not buying new cables. I bought a bag full 30 of these $1.58 cables. For the price of *1* major brand cable I get about 15 of these. I got about 15 of the $2.50 1A USB wall chargers to go with them.
Oh, and they're 6ft, not these BS 4ft ones that Apple sells for $20.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10831&cs_id=1083101&p_id=6228&seq=1&format=2
They're only barely bigger than the apple connector, but too big for the bumper.
I like to have a lot of chargers everywhere (by the bed, car, desk, couch, luggage, laptop bag, stereo, etc.) They're cheap, they work great, and if I lose one I'm out about $4 total. Oh, and X2 because my wife has an iPhone.