I feel like most people would be happy with a "we're sorry here's a free case and maybe a gift card for your next purchase"
Would be a lot cheaper.
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Jobs says Signal Strength a "non issue"
- Thread starter samcraig
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I feel like most people would be happy with a "we're sorry here's a free case and maybe a gift card for your next purchase"
Would be a lot cheaper.
Of course not (unless there's liquid in them), but that's not the point. The point is, Apple markets the glass as super duper ultra durable and they have a sequence in the iP4 video showing the glass surviving being bent completely out of shape. You don't find it odd that glass like that shatters after a two foot drop? I mean, if not even glass like that can survive a 2 foot drop they might as well use generic window glass, at least it's cheaper.
I've dropped my iPhone 3G at least half a dozen times from higher up than that, and it remains unscathed, but I'm guessing the plastic back absorbed the impact a majority of those times.
It's gonna be even tougher to redesign the phone from scratch in 2 weeks.
Seriously though, I don't know what a recall would accomplish. If this is indeed a hardware problem/design flaw, I guess the only thing they could do is come up with some sort of insulation coating that sticks to the stainless steel, but stuff like that needs to be tested or there will be even more embarrassment when the coating starts falling off in flakes. Redesigning the structure of the phone would take a long ass time. So the only option would be to make the bumper an included accessory in the same color as the phone, and if people want other colors they'll have to buy them extra.
Another thing I'm wondering about is these reports of the glass shattering. There's one thread where someone talks about the front shattering after a 2 foot drop. What the hell? I have 99¢ Ikea glasses that have survived being dropped from 4 feet and they sure as hell aren't made from "chemically strengthened glass 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic and used in helicopter windshields".
I don't believe that there would be a complete redesign of the phone. If a hardware component is defective however, perhaps it can be replaced. In all honesty though, if a defect IS found and Apple cops to it, what'll probably happen is Apple will offer people an exchange and/or refund/credit. Bumpers don't really seem like a solution as reports so far as to their effectiveness have been mixed. In terms of the glass, some website, either Giz or Engadget, ran an article the other day about how treating the glass chemically, while supposedly reducing scratches, actually makes it MORE susceptible to sudden impact.
Have you not seen the dozens of screencaps from Apple's own TV commercials, iPhone 4 and FaceTime videos, and they Keynote with Steve Jobs himself that have even been posted in this very thread?
Do you not believe the dozens of users who say this is an issue as they use their phones normally?
You are blind. Go watch every "there's an app for that" iPhone add and tell us it's not a natural way to hold the phone.
Um...
Let's not forget that making/receiving calls is not the only thing requiring a cellular network. I'm not complaining about my signal when making calls. But browsing the web and other things that require service can be difficult when I hold the phone as shown in the image above.
I post this in the wrong thread earlier:
I have been trying to think about this thing logically - once of I got over the fact that my new "superphone" was dropping nearly every call I made from home - and I have a theory about whats going on (maybe just wishful thinking!)
First I figure there are at least three truths that I think we can all agree upon:
1) All cellphones suffer some sort of signal loss when held - the nature of antennas is simple - block it and reception becomes weaker. Although, not all cellphones may show a drop in bars and this could be based upon location and also upon the software the phone uses in determine the bars - my understanding is that signal strength is measured in -dB and the closer to 0 the stronger the signal, however, there is no set rule that says -50 dB equals 5 bars, what measurement equals what number of bars displayed is determined by the cellphone maker. In other words, an LG phone may not show any loss of bars when held but may still be receiving a weaker signal.
2) Apple designed the iPhone 4 to have part of the case act as the antenna thereby putting the antenna in direct contact with a human being when the phone is held. Logically speaking this would result in an exaggeration of the problem listed in 1 above - of course I would defer to an electrical engineers opinion on this.
3) It has been stated, and probably is true, that Apple redesigned the modem software in iOS 4 such that the phone favors connection with less noise over a connection that may have a stronger signal. (Walt Mossberg's review discusses this)
When considering the the three things above - I really begin to think we have both a hardware and software problem. Hardware wise, the antenna is placed in a less than preferable location for left handed holding resulting in a stronger than normal signal loss when holding the phone in the left hand but second Apple designed the phone to favor less congested towers meaning that if there are two towers in range of your phone, towers A and B. If Tower A is 100 feet away with a very strong signal close to 0dB but is 50% more congested than Tower B which is 1000 feet but offers a weaker signal - the iPhone will choose Tower B. So if the phone is already choosing a weaker signal to connect too than holding the phone will only make it more difficult to receive that weaker signal, resulting in signal loss and drop calls/call quality/data performance.
I feel that when considering the software element, it also explain why the truth explained in 1 above is not nearly as noticeable in other brands of phones (or even some iPhone before iOS4) since those phones likely favor strong signals vs. less congested. In addition, it also explains why in some areas, less congested areas with more towers or more congested areas with even more towers, the phone performs the same if not better than previous models - at least in my experience. It also explains how in testing the problem either wasn't noticed or didn't seem to be a big issue since Apple likely only tested the phone in one region.
Of course this is not meant to excuse Apple for a problematic design, nor excuse Jobs arrogance, but simply stated if software does come into play with the problem - the extent that the hardware is flawed can only be determined once the software is fixed - then we need to demand a recall, redesign, or some sort of retribution.
I have been trying to think about this thing logically - once of I got over the fact that my new "superphone" was dropping nearly every call I made from home - and I have a theory about whats going on (maybe just wishful thinking!)
First I figure there are at least three truths that I think we can all agree upon:
1) All cellphones suffer some sort of signal loss when held - the nature of antennas is simple - block it and reception becomes weaker. Although, not all cellphones may show a drop in bars and this could be based upon location and also upon the software the phone uses in determine the bars - my understanding is that signal strength is measured in -dB and the closer to 0 the stronger the signal, however, there is no set rule that says -50 dB equals 5 bars, what measurement equals what number of bars displayed is determined by the cellphone maker. In other words, an LG phone may not show any loss of bars when held but may still be receiving a weaker signal.
2) Apple designed the iPhone 4 to have part of the case act as the antenna thereby putting the antenna in direct contact with a human being when the phone is held. Logically speaking this would result in an exaggeration of the problem listed in 1 above - of course I would defer to an electrical engineers opinion on this.
3) It has been stated, and probably is true, that Apple redesigned the modem software in iOS 4 such that the phone favors connection with less noise over a connection that may have a stronger signal. (Walt Mossberg's review discusses this)
When considering the the three things above - I really begin to think we have both a hardware and software problem. Hardware wise, the antenna is placed in a less than preferable location for left handed holding resulting in a stronger than normal signal loss when holding the phone in the left hand but second Apple designed the phone to favor less congested towers meaning that if there are two towers in range of your phone, towers A and B. If Tower A is 100 feet away with a very strong signal close to 0dB but is 50% more congested than Tower B which is 1000 feet but offers a weaker signal - the iPhone will choose Tower B. So if the phone is already choosing a weaker signal to connect too than holding the phone will only make it more difficult to receive that weaker signal, resulting in signal loss and drop calls/call quality/data performance.
I feel that when considering the software element, it also explain why the truth explained in 1 above is not nearly as noticeable in other brands of phones (or even some iPhone before iOS4) since those phones likely favor strong signals vs. less congested. In addition, it also explains why in some areas, less congested areas with more towers or more congested areas with even more towers, the phone performs the same if not better than previous models - at least in my experience. It also explains how in testing the problem either wasn't noticed or didn't seem to be a big issue since Apple likely only tested the phone in one region.
Of course this is not meant to excuse Apple for a problematic design, nor excuse Jobs arrogance, but simply stated if software does come into play with the problem - the extent that the hardware is flawed can only be determined once the software is fixed - then we need to demand a recall, redesign, or some sort of retribution.
Um...
Let's not forget that making/receiving calls is not the only thing requiring a cellular network.
Not to mention it's unbelievable to think that it is acceptable that a phone will drop the signal by touching it with a nothing but a fingertip anywhere on the exterior of the device.
Apple aren't the only ones telling you how to hold your phone.
http://member.america.htc.com/downl...credibleC_VZW_English_Safety-and-Warranty.pdf
http://member.america.htc.com/downl...credibleC_VZW_English_Safety-and-Warranty.pdf
iPod Touch 4
Loving my new iPod Touch 4
How long before Apple backs off Steve's "official response". This certainly isn't flying and isn't going to. So you'd think sooner would be better than later.
Loving my new iPod Touch 4
How long before Apple backs off Steve's "official response". This certainly isn't flying and isn't going to. So you'd think sooner would be better than later.
WiFi Signal
My cellular signal goes to "searching" immediately when picked up, but no matter how I hold the phone, even if I try and cover the entire metal band with my hands, I cant make the wireless signal drop. And what about the GPS antenna? Is there a utility to test GPS signal strength?
Holding my awesome new phone and can't even send a text message!
My cellular signal goes to "searching" immediately when picked up, but no matter how I hold the phone, even if I try and cover the entire metal band with my hands, I cant make the wireless signal drop. And what about the GPS antenna? Is there a utility to test GPS signal strength?
Holding my awesome new phone and can't even send a text message!
The Steve bit wasn't so funny but Ive was spot on. Magical magical magical...
The poll on the front page shows roughly 60% with antenna problems / 40% with no problems. Since there are thousands of members who insist they don't have the problem, I guess they're entitled to their own thread...
That's 60% of people who have the problem and 40% who haven't seen it YET!
This kind of advice just defies reality. You can't possibly use the phone like a normal human being. Look, if you are on an hour long call, you will probably shift the phone from hand to hand. You don't even think about where it is in your hand you just grab it and put it up to your ear and talk. When I do that and the phone is in my left hand, the area is covered by the fleshy part under my thumb. When its in my right hand it is very easy for me to cover the area with my little finger. Its all quite natural. The phone should be useable they way I just described, but it is not; at least mine is not.
The Steve bit wasn't so funny but Ive was spot on. Magical magical magical...
Yeah the Ive parts were killer. I liked the vid just for that alone.
Lol, I masturbate to it!
Funny video.
My guess is a "fix" won't arrive 'til Monday at the earliest. Because this problem seems to be software + hardware + location dependent, my prediction is the issue will be alleviated for some, but not for others.
It makes me cry because it has no genitalia that I can fondle HAHA magically hilarious
My cellular signal goes to "searching" immediately when picked up, but no matter how I hold the phone, even if I try and cover the entire metal band with my hands, I cant make the wireless signal drop. And what about the GPS antenna? Is there a utility to test GPS signal strength?
Holding my awesome new phone and can't even send a text message!
Congratulations on having the first iPod Touch 4th Gen.
This may be in no way iPhone related but I've never had it happen before I got my iPhone 4. I was walking at costco looking at my phone pushing a cart and I was bridging the antennae and then touched the metal part of the cart and got zapped! It's like a really nasty static zap. I didn't want to try again because it actually hurt lol
Um, there's a pamphlet in the box that instructs the user exactly how to hold the phone for optimal performance.
If Apple had shared that information pre-purchase, rather than burying it in tiny print in a pamphlet in the box, I wouldn't be as annoyed as I am with them.
OMG... antenna ISSUE Shocks you if your hand is slightly Damp!
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/949980/
Lol. The "issue" isn't what shocks you. Anyway...
Thing i dont understand is, why not just use a bluetooth earpiece, which btw is much healthier anyway... Also put a case on it.
I mean yeah, sounds like a retarded design decision, an a public gaffe by Apple. But anyway, this really shows more how terrible AT&T's network is, than anything about the phone. Because a decent signal will go thru hands, walls, trees, whatever. Their network sucks, period. It should tell u something when you look and see that they charge people money to buy an internet appliance that acts like a mini-cellphone-tower right in your house! Like, "suck it, we're not only NOT gonna fix our piece of garbage network, but also we're gonna CHARGE YOU EXTRA for the solution to the fact that it is made of fail."
I LOVE the AT&T ads where there is some douche claiming they cover 97% of Americans- LIES!!! They only promise to cover the 5% of Americans who are standing outside!!
There is? Then why are people still speculating over whether this was a mistake / faulty batch / software problem? That's the ultimate smoking gun right there. It *is* by design, it's an irreversible hardware issue, they didn't warn anyone about it and they willfully used advertising where people are holding the phone in a way you're not supposed to according to the supplied instructions. If that's not deception, I don't know what is.
I've found that when I'm in an area with full 3G signal, like I was this afternoon when in Glasgow City Centre, then covering the bottom left corner has no effect on the signal, which had 5 bars.
At home, where O2's coverage is shoddy at best (GPRS and 2 to 3 bars at most), if I cover the bottom left corner I can replicate the issue others are having.
Odd.
At home, where O2's coverage is shoddy at best (GPRS and 2 to 3 bars at most), if I cover the bottom left corner I can replicate the issue others are having.
Odd.