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Jobs says Signal Strength a "non issue"

So, let me get this whole picture straight. You release the new iPhone, which is essentially glass all around. You tell us that this is extremely strong and shatter resistant glass, which might be subjective, but given recent photos and reports, it will certainly shatter if dropped on like any other thing made of glass.

OK Steve, well, I do appreciate the design - it's certainly beautiful, so I'll be sure and hold it tightly in my palm to make sure it doesn't drop. Wait... WHAT?! That innovative external antenna will short out if I hold it tightly, so I should hold it in a slightly insecure manner if I want normal reception?

To those who say it's common and a non-issue: Yeah it's common - all cell phones have this "issue". The problem lies in the iPhone 4's unique design, which places the actual metal antenna on the OUTSIDE of the phone. Steve was right - no one had done this before. Now - over what kind of QA I don't know - this was released and their response is "hold it differently" (!) or even better ... BUY a case to improve reception??!!

And to those who believe we're overreacting: I think a design flaw (yes, it is) that inhibits the most important function of a device that owners are paying thousands for over the course of a contract is, indeed, a big deal. This isn't slight case cracking, or a slight hue difference of the screen, this is the function of the device. Millions of people will buy this device, and I'm sure many of them will hold it, naturally, in a way that will trigger this "short" in the antenna. I understand that signal strength varies for different users depending on location, but exposing the antenna in such a way that it's POSSIBLE to KILL the signal is certainly a flaw in design.

I've been an Apple fan for over 20 years - but this is ridiculous. I'm really speechless with this whole product. Is Apple's form over function getting out of hand? I really appreciate their amazing design, but at what cost? I can't push buttons on a shuffle, I can't replace the battery on a laptop, I can't hold a mouse comfortably...

I don't know Apple, the reality distortion field is growing weak.
 
samcraig said:
It was my email. And even if the person your responded wanted to refute the veracity, Apple, on other websites has given similar/same responses OFFICIALLY.

So to "argue" the content of the email at this point is ridiculous.
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There is no OFFICIAL Apple response until a statement is published on their website or officially released to the press or their resellers. Random Apple employees commenting ad hoc to phone calls and enquiries do not constitute this.
 
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I'm left handed, hold the iPhone in my right hand, so basically none of the left side is actually being touched by my hand as it doesn't go all the way round (with my 3g anyway). Is this the best way to hold it and the way that doesn't cause issues then? Might try it out in a shop too i think.
 
Did the iphone 3gs have the antenna problem?

Did the iphone 3gs have this problem? If not, the 4g antenna set up is the problem. I wanted the 4g iphone but not until the antenna problem is corrected. Please don't tell me how to hold the phone, wear a glove, put scotch tape on it or buy a cover. Those are ridiculous remedies for a phone that costs two to three hundred dollars!!!!!!!!!!!:mad::mad:
 
mnemonix said:
There is no OFFICIAL Apple response until it's published on their website or officially released to the press or their resellers. Random Apple employees commenting ad hoc to phone calls and enquiries do not constitute this.
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Steve jobs is founder and CEO. He is not some Random Apple employee.
 
mnemonix said:
There is no OFFICIAL Apple response until it's published on their website or officially released to the press or their resellers. Random Apple employees commenting ad hoc to phone calls and enquiries do not constitute this.
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Yeah ok. Whatever helps you sleep at night. To me it doesn't even matter. I have the two emails in my inbox from SOMEONE who responds from the CEO's address. That's OFFICIAL enough for me.
 
mnemonix said:
There is no OFFICIAL Apple response until it's published on their website or officially released to the press or their resellers. Random Apple employees commenting ad hoc to phone calls and enquiries do not constitute this.
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Agreed. I'm hoping that the official, official response will be something totally different.

I'm not questioning samcraig's email though. I just don't want it to be true!!
 
mnemonix said:
Given the huge number of experts we seem to have here now, wouldn't it also be monumentally stupid for you all to have gone out and bought the thing if it's that obvious? Just saying, this issue is not as obvious and straightforward as people are making out so the knee jerk reactions about poor design may also be proved to be monumentally stupid when we know more about the issue and its possible remedy.
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I don't have an iPhone 4. I wasn't intending to buy one. And anyway no, it wouldn't. It's not up to the customer to know the technicalities of a device they're paying several hundred $/£/€ for, it's up to the manufacturer.

We know what the remedy is - don't hold it in that way. Considering that's how most people hold their phones (in their hand, shock horror) that's a totally unworkable solution.
 
I'm able to replicate the reception problem here in the office in the City of London (Aldgate), but just now when I was trying to show someone the issue in the pub by touching bottom left, nothing happened - because I had a stronger signal outside presumably. Does suggest a software fix of sorts is possible.

Still love my iPhone4 but disappointed by Apple's attitude - 'hold differently' get a crap bumper.

Also, in my pub test, I noticed that my data connection stopped pulling in emails (can't connect to server errors) - had to reboot phone to get 3G to work. Anyone else had this issue?

Apple are getting a bit cocky (arrogant) so probably good they've been taken down a peg or two.:)
 
Apple should stop production of iPhone 4 right now until they fix it, because at this moment they are simply manufacturing a faulty product. They HAVE to fix this, it is unacceptable that a phone drops calls when simply held in a way that most people will hold it.

There should be a crisis at Apple today. They cannot ignore this.
 
tomjleeds said:
Hurr, durr.

This so-called 'dumbing down of America' (can't comment, as an evil commie Euro-type) has clearly made you miss the point which people are making. Nobody's disputing that flesh affects the operation of an an antenna, what they're saying is that putting said antenna where your hand is almost guaranteed to be is monumentally stupid.

Oh, and it's 'ridiculous', by the way :rolleyes:
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Rediculous is the British spelling. :D
 
mnemonix said:
There is no OFFICIAL Apple response until a statement is published on their website or officially released to the press or their resellers. Random Apple employees commenting ad hoc to phone calls and enquiries do not constitute this.
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Since when was Steve jobs demoted to "random apple employee?"

The biggest problem I have with all this is the fact that Steve is so smug about this. Then they knowingly create these $29(!!!!) rubber bands to mask the problem.
 
Andy-V said:
Apple should stop production of iPhone 4 right now until they fix it, because at this moment they are simply manufacturing a faulty product. They HAVE to fix this, it is unacceptable that a phone drops calls when simply held in a way that most people will hold it.

There should be a crisis at Apple today. They cannot ignore this.
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If they do that then they are admitting a fault and will have to replace every phone sold up until now which is 600,000+. Instead they can call every user stupid for not holding it correctly, sell them a bumper for £25 and everyone is happy apparently.
 
tomjleeds said:
I don't have an iPhone 4. I wasn't intending to buy one. And anyway no, it wouldn't. It's not up to the customer to know the technicalities of a device they're paying several hundred $/£/€ for, it's up to the manufacturer.

We know what the remedy is - don't hold it in that way. Considering that's how most people hold their phones (in their hand, shock horror) that's a totally unworkable solution.
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I was being facetious as everyone does indeed now seem to be an expert and to know what is causing this issue. Yourself included. Going to look pretty silly if (and I do say 'if') a firmware update fixes it aren't we? Everytime I've just made a case for a calm and rational attitude to this rather than the hysteria we're witnessing at the moment.
 
gazmac said:
Also, in my pub test, I noticed that my data connection stopped pulling in emails (can't connect to server errors) - had to reboot phone to get 3G to work. Anyone else had this issue?
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Yes I had that issue along with Wifi. The reboot fixed it.
 
citrate said:
If they do that then they are admitting a fault and will have to replace every phone sold up until now which is 600,000+. Instead they can call every user stupid for not holding it correctly, sell them a bumper for £25 and everyone is happy apparently.
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This is the big question: Can Apple get away with this? Can they just not fix the flaw and get away with it legally and without a massive dent in their reputation.

The story is blowing up right now all over the web. I don't think they can just sit back and not do anything.
 
citrate said:
If they do that then they are admitting a fault and will have to replace every phone sold up until now which is 600,000+. Instead they can call every user stupid for not holding it correctly, sell them a bumper for £25 and everyone is happy apparently.
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People PREORDERED 600,000+ but MILLIONS were sold, most stores around me had at least 500+ for walk-ins yesterday.
 
I hate cases and bumpers. I won't use them. A bluetooth headset may be the best solution to the antenna issue, for now.
 
-aggie- said:
However, anything maflynn writes is suspect, since he obviously doesn't own an iPhone. :D I've never been to a Droid forum. Why the Droid people post here escapes me.
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I disagree with this sentiment. While yes, I'm on an android based phone now. I was an owner of a 3GS and used iOS4 while it was in beta. True, I don't have an iPhone4, its clear that the position apple is taking is poor.

I mean one of the features being touted on the phone was the antenna, and now it is the source/cause of poor reception. Having people hold it differently is really a poor/lame execuse and will only continue the negative feedback on this.

When ever a company evades issues, it festers and hangs around a lot longer then dealing with it head on. Apple is evading the main issue, though I don't know how they could possibly "fix" this because its a design issue it seems.

As for droid people posting here - its a free country and I can. My wife is an iPhone user and until recently I was also. I'm still a mac user as well.

Just because I use a different phone doesn't mean I cannot add to the dialogue.

Regards
Mike
 
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