Law Firm Gearing Up for iPhone 4 Suit Over Signal Issues

[entr04y]

The design is flawed, therefore causes a defect in its functionality. Unless your phone is designed differently... you have the same problem.

And this is based on your scientific analysis of what exactly? Are you also saying that all other phones that experience signal degradation when held are also defective in design and functionality?

I find it extremely amusing that we have had years of posts about how the AT&T network sucks and there is a huge occurrence of dropped calls and poor call quality but now every single dropped call is now due to the attenuation issue.

I'm not saying there's not a design issue or a problem with the phones themselves, but it is quite a leap to go straight to "all iPhones are defective due to poor design" when clearly if the phone simply didn't work at all there would be huge return lines instead of people still lining up to buy the things.

As I said before, my experience has been that the i4 is a huge improvement in reception and call quality over my 3G. But that is just my experience, and it certainly does not mean that there is no issue at all.

 

[SirHaakon]

I can prove that my unit is not defective, and therefore I can prove this is not a mass hardware problem.

I love the logic that having one phone with apparently no problems "proves" that there is no mass hardware issue. Lolz.

 

[dgree03]

I can prove that my unit is not defective, and therefore I can prove this is not a mass hardware problem. I will testify against the law firm bringing this claim.

SO you exhausted all possible varibles? or at least more than "in my living room I cannot reproduce?"

every phone has the ablity to loose a 5 bar signal by touch certain parts of the phone. The phone design is flawed period.

You saying I can prove the iphone 4 doesnt have reception issue is a ridiculous claim and holds no ground.

 

[ANTAWNM26]

Stupid.

Give Apple a chance to resolve this issue.

Me? I haven't had ANY problems at all. I get better signal in most cases. But I realize others have issues and hope Apple comes out with a good fix.

It's not the issue of letting them step up and fix it...It is the point that Apple knew about the issue( I believe) and tried to cloak it..Just think about I adverstise something to be great and this new revolution antennae, and it doesnt work the way I advertised...Mine is due to arrive on the 15, and I'm honestly thinking about cancellation, and wait on the outcome..

 

[AidenShaw]

...and someone actually proves that apple knowingly sold a product that doesn't work the lawsuit has no standing...

[KnightWRX voice] What lawsuit? [/voice]

The word "knowingly" isn't really important - if Apple sold a product that doesn't work as claimed Apple could lose a lawsuit.

If there are punitive damages, and there's a paper/electronic trail that shows Apple knew of the problem before release - then the damage award could be much higher.

Not knowing on the day of release that the phone was defective, however, doesn't absolve them of facing the issue of selling a defective product.

 

[SirHaakon]

I find it extremely amusing that we have had years of posts about how the AT&T network sucks and there is a huge occurrence of dropped calls and poor call quality but now every single dropped call is now due to the attenuation issue.

Who is saying that?

The AT&T network still sucks; the iPhone 4 didn't change that.

I still get dropped calls and poor call quality.

BUT

In a place where I have service, and can make calls successfully (poor quality nonwidthstanding), simply covering up the antenna bridge (as I would holding the phone normally) results in the call being dropped or unable to be placed at all (if I cover up the antenna prior to making the call). The call can be placed if I hold the phone awkwardly in such a way that the antenna does not get covered. This has nothing to do with the network and everything to do with how the phone is held.

I agree that iPhone 4 reception seems to be improved over iPhone 3G reception - IF the antenna is not covered. However, since holding the phone normally causes the antenna to be covered, it's a problem.

 

[dgree03]

And this is based on your scientific analysis of what exactly? Are you also saying that all other phones that experience signal degradation when held are also defective in design and functionality?

I find it extremely amusing that we have had years of posts about how the AT&T network sucks and there is a huge occurrence of dropped calls and poor call quality but now every single dropped call is now due to the attenuation issue.

I'm not saying there's not a design issue or a problem with the phones themselves, but it is quite a leap to go straight to "all iPhones are defective due to poor design" when clearly if the phone simply didn't work at all there would be huge return lines instead of people still lining up to buy the things.

As I said before, my experience has been that the i4 is a huge improvement in reception and call quality over my 3G. But that is just my experience, and it certainly does not mean that there is no issue at all.

So you think have a metal antenna on the OUTSIDE of the phone is a smart idea? You think being able to degrade the signal with a key or a hot dog is a good thing?

So me another phone that you can with one finger, distrupt the signal?

 

[entr04y]

[KnightWRX voice] What lawsuit? [/voice]

The word "knowingly" isn't really important - if Apple sold a product that doesn't work as claimed Apple could lose a lawsuit.

If there are punitive damages, and there's a paper/electronic trail that shows Apple knew of the problem before release - then the damage award could be much higher.

Not knowing on the day of release that the phone was defective, however, doesn't absolve them of facing the issue of selling a defective product.

Fair enough... That said, I've yet to see anything that indicates that the problem is anywhere near the widespread problem it is being made out to be and is significantly different than the dropped call problems reported since the first gen iPhone came out on AT&T's network. I've also yet to see any indication that Apple or AT&T are not taking returns or giving replacements to those who are affected. As such, at this stage, I say the lawyers that started this just wanted their name splattered across every media outlet for free. Epic troll if you ask me

 

[dgree03]

[KnightWRX voice] What lawsuit? [/voice]

The word "knowingly" isn't really important - if Apple sold a product that doesn't work as claimed Apple could lose a lawsuit.

If there are punitive damages, and there's a paper/electronic trail that shows Apple knew of the problem before release - then the damage award could be much higher.

Not knowing on the day of release that the phone was defective, however, doesn't absolve them of facing the issue of selling a defective product.

The fact that they released a bumper that is made by them and it covers the metal band that is causing the problems... I think that is at the very least, telling evidence that something aint right.

Has apple release there own case before??? NO?

Coincedence? I think not

 

[01grander]

I just want to know why all these people are defending the iphone? Seriously stop being fanboys and realize that people are having issues with a bad design by apple.

We are pissed because they are saying it's a "non-issue"......well to may of us, it is a major issue.


Ohh and the fact that they can't even give us a free bumper if we are going to have to live with the issue is crazy. $700 phone that REQURIES a case to use.

 

[techwarrior]

Contents of my email to KCR (I sent this feedback to Apple as well):

I would like to offer my input to the investigation you are conducting on the Apple iPhone 4 signal loss issue.

I would like you to understand that I find the following statement from your website to be biased, exclusionary, and perhaps somewhat questionable:

If you recently purchased the new iPhone and have experienced poor reception quality, dropped calls and weak signals, we would like to hear from you.

Sure, some of us (including myself) have had issues. However, if your stated criteria is the sole basis for your investigation, you may be excluding the majority of users who have no beef with the product.

My experience (without a case on my new phone) was similar to those many have reported. I found several calls became garbled and actually dropped a call when I held my phone as described by Mr. Jobs and others. I found it annoying, but the behavior stopped when I placed a case on the phone. Now one might argue that having to place a case on the phone is a basis for concern. I disagree. Further, the consequences of these events were negligible. I did not lose job opportunities, friends, or business deals, I did not suffer any real damages. I simply had to re-dial or repeat.

I have encased my 3G, 3Gs and now iPhone 4 phones for a number of reasons. I suspect the majority of iPhone users encase their phones. My decision is first and foremost with the goal of minimizing inadvertent cosmetic and functional damage to the device from carelessness and accidental causes. I have used my devices naked perhaps no more than a handful of days as I searched for accessories that address my preferences. I have no doubt some prefer to go without a case, and are willing to accept the consequences and will suffer reception issues as a result. I for one am not willing to do so and consider there to be no actionable defects in this product.

One of the frustrations early adopters like myself experience has been an initial lack of choices for cases for our new phones. This condition is waning in the weeks following launch as new options are emerging daily. It takes time to design, test, manufacture and market quality new accessories. Most of us are familiar with, and accept this as a risk of being an early adopter.

I would add that there are remedies to those who feel different and see this as a critical product defect. There is typically a 30 day return policy with these products, there are hundreds of alternatives on the market. Further, there are a growing number of choices for encasing the device. Nothing dictates that a consumer purchase the iPhone 4 or use it without a case.

I felt it was important for you to hear the other side, from a happy customer with no real complaints about this particular matter.

 

[AbSoluTc]

AidenShaw - is that your real name or is that in reference to the Aiden that was in Sex and the City?

 

[techwarrior]

I just want to know why all these people are defending the iphone? Seriously stop being fanboys and realize that people are having issues with a bad design by apple.

We are pissed because they are saying it's a "non-issue"......well to may of us, it is a major issue.


Ohh and the fact that they can't even give us a free bumper if we are going to have to live with the issue is crazy. $700 phone that REQURIES a case to use.

Not a fanboy, simply it is a non-issue for many of us. We don't think any less of you for having an issue with the situation, don't think less of us who have no beef. We are all entitled to our view on the matter, and it really doesn't matter what is right for me, because I know it will be wrong for some.

I for one would never use an iphone without a case and find that an acceptable solution.

 

[entr04y]

So you think have a metal antenna on the OUTSIDE of the phone is a smart idea? You think being able to degrade the signal with a key or a hot dog is a good thing?

So me another phone that you can with one finger, distrupt the signal?

Reading comprehension is your friend. I made no claims as to whether or not the design was good. What I did say is that the blanket statement of the design is defective requires a hell of a lot more evidence than what we have.

If the *hardware* design took into account the attenuation caused by touching the phone and this really is a software problem as some are speculating, then there really is nothing wrong with a metal antenna that you can touch. If that wasn't taken into account and the problem can't be fixed without modifying the hardware, well, then, yup, bad design.

Every engineering solution comes with tradeoffs. In this case I suspect that Apple had some pretty good RF engineers along with the rest of the team that landed on this design for a myriad of reasons. It remains to be seen if they made the right decisions. My experience, and quite a few others that have posted on this board, is that they did. Others have not had as good an experience.

Until the situation is resolved one way or the other, or someone who was on the design and testing team at Apple comes forward with hard proof of either a problem or non-issue then we won't know for sure, and blanket statements of "defective design" or "perfect design" are worth about as much as a used kleenex.

 

[nj-mac-user]

Wow... these good for nothing lawyers couldn't even wait at least 30 days to start grabbing people for their money making scheme? It's not like Apple is refusing to repair/replace the frigin phone if someone is experiencing an issue. If it was after a year and at least out of warranty I would understand. I hope nobody helps support these silly lawyers.

 

[zmonster]

HAHA I'm sure they will pay you to have you testify against them

As a matter of fact, if they are going to bring a class action lawsuit in civil court they are required present information that is contrary to their claims if they are made aware of such information (and I made them aware). Therefore, they are obligated to not only take my deposition, but also pay for the expenses related to it.

 

[ANTAWNM26]

Valleywag reports that Sacramento, California law firm Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff (KCR) has begun soliciting iPhone 4 customers for their experiences with signal loss when holding the device in a specific manner.The firm is offering telephone, email, and live chat contact options for customers as it presumably begins looking to launch a class action lawsuit against Apple.

KCR gained some fame last year for its class action suit filed late last year against Facebook and social gaming company Zynga over scammy "special offer" ads in Zynga's popular games.

Apple's response to the signal issues and prospect of class action lawsuits is not yet known, with initial comments from CEO Steve Jobs and Apple brushing off the issue being followed by a "stay tuned" comment from Jobs suggesting that some sort of action may be taken.

Article Link: Law Firm Gearing Up for iPhone 4 Suit Over Signal Issues

I have all the iphones and scheduled to receive the iphone 4 on the 15, of july...I just think apple handled this dead ass wrong..They can put how many phones they sold,but cant put out first the issues they know exist..hmmmm..A lot of people say well this is BS to sue, well let me explain if it wasnt for law firms suing these companies we wouldnt have the standard we have today..Customer service drives a lot of good quality devices dont get me wrong...Apple just failed on this one..I wonder what the people who bought bumpers are going to say if Apple is pressured in giving them away...As, much as i like the iphone 4, its no way i would have one at this very moment and compromise. Im willing to bet as well that the ones saying they dont have issues are the ones that are in denial and just want the iphone 4 now instead of just having to wait on a iphone with no issues..

 

[01grander]

Not a fanboy, simply it is a non-issue for many of us. We don't think any less of you for having an issue with the situation, don't think less of us who have no beef. We are all entitled to our view on the matter, and it really doesn't matter what is right for me, because I know it will be wrong for some.

I for one would never use an iphone without a case and find that an acceptable solution.

Well for people like you I am not calling a fanboy. I just don't see why people that do not have the issue are criticizing the people that do have an issue. We simply want it resolved. I don't ever use a case unless I go rock climbing or backpacking so using a case is not normal for me. I take the risk of breaking it but I think that should be my choice....after all I like the "magical" design and do not want to hide it.

 

[pubwvj]

Bunch of greedy bastards.

As the Bard said, lets start by shooting all the lawyers.

In the defense of lawyers, it is only 99% of them that give the other 1% a bad name...

 

[AidenShaw]

AidenShaw - is that your real name or is that in reference to the Aiden that was in Sex and the City?

The Sex and the City character is Aidan Shaw.

 

[Gryzor]

lawyers bunch of money grubbing.

Jealousy...funny how they are only money grubbing when you don't have much money yourself...

 

[Journojulz]

Jealousy...funny how they are only money grubbing when you don't have much money yourself...

Oh, have you spent much time with people who have more money than lawyers?

THEIR opinion of the profession is SO MUCH lower.

 

[entr04y]

Who is saying that?

The AT&T network still sucks; the iPhone 4 didn't change that.

I still get dropped calls and poor call quality.

BUT

In a place where I have service, and can make calls successfully (poor quality nonwidthstanding), simply covering up the antenna bridge (as I would holding the phone normally) results in the call being dropped or unable to be placed at all (if I cover up the antenna prior to making the call). The call can be placed if I hold the phone awkwardly in such a way that the antenna does not get covered. This has nothing to do with the network and everything to do with how the phone is held.

I agree that iPhone 4 reception seems to be improved over iPhone 3G reception - IF the antenna is not covered. However, since holding the phone normally causes the antenna to be covered, it's a problem.

This was the first post I've seen on the subject that has mentioned the existing issue of dropped calls and that the dropped calls with the antenna issue are different.

In my case in an area where with my 3G I had poor call quality and consistently dropped calls I now don't with my iPhone 4... regardless if I cover the antenna or not. So for me it has been a significant improvement. And yes, I can replicate the dropping of bars in the display by bridging the antenna, just not the dropped call. YMMV.

 

[alhedges]

No wonder the world is in such a state. These people are the lowest form of human being. You know what Shakespeare had to say about them. I concur.

Maybe you should get your knowledge of Shakespeare from somewhere other than a tee-shirt, since the quote you're probably thinking of was in praise of lawyers.

 

[AbSoluTc]

The Sex and the City character is Aidan Shaw.

Lol. Same difference