Here's another post about how we don't need another thread on this topic.
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New Demonstrations of Apple Antenna FAILURE
- Thread starter hasanahmad
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Here's another post about how we don't need another thread on this topic.
Internet. Serious business. And serious use of periods to try to evoke a sense of shrewdness.
Just for fun I went the weekend without my bumper. When surfing, gaming, and talking I used the "death grip." I did notice my bars went down but didn't lose a call and my bandwidth tests were the same as a normal grip. Even streamed music with shoutcast at a high bitrate and changed songs to see how fast it would buffer the song. All while using the death grip.
Just for fun I called my buddy and did the death grip as I approached a known area of dropped calls, no problem.
So I don't know what gives......
Just for fun I called my buddy and did the death grip as I approached a known area of dropped calls, no problem.
So I don't know what gives......
Apple says there is nothing to see here: The problem with the iPhone 4s antenna isnt a problem, but just more of the same poorly-displayed signal strength that, the company recently discovered, also beset every previous generation of iPhone. But a bigger mystery remains: Even if there is no antenna problem per se, how did the iPhone 4s problem of falsely-positive signal strength pass Apples vaunted quality assurance process where the buck stops with none other than CEO Steve Jobs himself?
A scientist presented Wired.com with an intriguing theory that can be summed up as cleanliness is next to FAIL.
A post-doctoral biochemistry fellow at a leading American university claims that dampness and naturally-occurring salts on the hands of the general populace help them form a better connection with the iPhone 4s exposed antenna than the clean hands of testers in Apples sterile lab environment would have done.
The biochemist, who asked not to be identified, forwarded us a copy of an e-mail apparently sent to several people at Apple, including Steve Jobs, claiming that simple electrochemistry explains the problem, which drops calls and curtails data bandwidth when users hold the phone near the bottom so that the hand bridges the two sides of the antenna that runs along the side of the device.
Apple blamed the problem on a software glitch, but it appears to be hardware-related. Tests have shown that the iPhone 4s signal grows significantly weaker when held in certain ways.
Apples explanation for iPhone 4 signal reception problem is inaccurate at best, and disingenuous at worst, reads the e-mail. iPhone users are in some of the hottest and most humid parts of the country this summer, and have salty, damp hands especially at events such as baseball games, barbecues, or other outdoor activities. Having bare metal antennae purposely handled will absolutely short [circuit] the signal.
This problem will be difficult to reproduce in Apples labs, because the engineers are required to wash their hands before touching devices, which also strips off the natural hand electrolytes that are ever-present in the field on a hot day.
This would also explain why certain users experience the problem, while others who may have washed their hands more recently cant seem to replicate it.
A rubber case sold by Apple for $29 solves the problem by interrupting contact between the hand and the antenna, though Apple customer support has apparently been told not to offer them for free to complaining users. So, how should Apple address the issue, if this biochemist is right?
The company need not redesign the antenna, he says, but should add an electrically insulating organic hydrophobic layer atop the bare metal, such as the thin layer of plastic that encases soda cans.
If the problem can be solved by spraying a thin, dampness-blocking coating on the metal antenna, perhaps Apple could offer to apply it for free at its retail locations, which would sure beat a product recall. A group of iPhone 4 owners sued Apple and AT&T over the iPhone 4s signal issue, seeking class-action status for the lawsuit, which would apply any remedies to all U.S. purchasers.
Weve asked Apple whether it is examining this as a potential cause of the issue, and hope to have an update soon.*
source
http://m.wired.com/epicenter/2010/07/apples-clean-hands-may-have-dirtied-iphone-4-signal/all/1
A scientist presented Wired.com with an intriguing theory that can be summed up as cleanliness is next to FAIL.
A post-doctoral biochemistry fellow at a leading American university claims that dampness and naturally-occurring salts on the hands of the general populace help them form a better connection with the iPhone 4s exposed antenna than the clean hands of testers in Apples sterile lab environment would have done.
The biochemist, who asked not to be identified, forwarded us a copy of an e-mail apparently sent to several people at Apple, including Steve Jobs, claiming that simple electrochemistry explains the problem, which drops calls and curtails data bandwidth when users hold the phone near the bottom so that the hand bridges the two sides of the antenna that runs along the side of the device.
Apple blamed the problem on a software glitch, but it appears to be hardware-related. Tests have shown that the iPhone 4s signal grows significantly weaker when held in certain ways.
Apples explanation for iPhone 4 signal reception problem is inaccurate at best, and disingenuous at worst, reads the e-mail. iPhone users are in some of the hottest and most humid parts of the country this summer, and have salty, damp hands especially at events such as baseball games, barbecues, or other outdoor activities. Having bare metal antennae purposely handled will absolutely short [circuit] the signal.
This problem will be difficult to reproduce in Apples labs, because the engineers are required to wash their hands before touching devices, which also strips off the natural hand electrolytes that are ever-present in the field on a hot day.
This would also explain why certain users experience the problem, while others who may have washed their hands more recently cant seem to replicate it.
A rubber case sold by Apple for $29 solves the problem by interrupting contact between the hand and the antenna, though Apple customer support has apparently been told not to offer them for free to complaining users. So, how should Apple address the issue, if this biochemist is right?
The company need not redesign the antenna, he says, but should add an electrically insulating organic hydrophobic layer atop the bare metal, such as the thin layer of plastic that encases soda cans.
If the problem can be solved by spraying a thin, dampness-blocking coating on the metal antenna, perhaps Apple could offer to apply it for free at its retail locations, which would sure beat a product recall. A group of iPhone 4 owners sued Apple and AT&T over the iPhone 4s signal issue, seeking class-action status for the lawsuit, which would apply any remedies to all U.S. purchasers.
Weve asked Apple whether it is examining this as a potential cause of the issue, and hope to have an update soon.*
source
http://m.wired.com/epicenter/2010/07/apples-clean-hands-may-have-dirtied-iphone-4-signal/all/1
Obviously enough people to warrant the massive amount of attention its getting. The media and many users have vailadated and given merit to this obvious flaw. Apple even recognized the necessity to address it officially.
You make jest of the way one holds the phone. How is it any different when mirrored for a right-handed person? I own a 3GS and hold it in my left hand 90% of the time during use. Such a design makes the experience subpar for users like myself.
This is not an issue of holding it "tightly" (as "death grip" implies), but rather the positioning of your fingers/hand on the phone. It's not a strong grip which induces poor data up/download or attenuation, but the bridging of the antennas. Squeezing it has nothing to do with the problem.
Good article.
I bet Apple does indeed spray or coat the antenna, going forward.
Waiting for a white one. And hoping that it will be version 1.1, with the protective coating applied.
I want a free bumper, but I will begrudgingly contribute to Steve Jobs' $40 billion cash kitty, knowing fully well he lied to us.
Yes, I know, New Coke, Intel chip, Excedrin, etc. were all major PR blunders. But this takes the cake because of all the intrigue:
- Was "found" by Gizmodo, in a case that prevents field testers from actually holding iP4
- In the lab, they washed their hands, so they didn't see the effect much
- Bumper is introduced, to everyone's surprise
- Hiring of five antenna engineers, on very day bad news breaks
- AppleCare memo purports to say that bumpers are not to be given away free to complaining customers
- Jobs' cryptic promise of a solution and subsequent denial he sent e-mails
- Open letter to iPhone users with "Bad bar reading" admission
- Video shows via an app that iPhone's bar reading is correct
You couldn't write a better industrial spy thriller, if you tried!
they will probably do it for the white.. but not for the blacks already sold, then they have to admit to the hardware flaw.. they will never own upto it..
Waiting for a white one. And hoping that it will be version 1.1, with the protective coating applied.
I want a free bumper, but I will begrudgingly contribute to Steve Jobs' $40 billion cash kitty, knowing fully well he lied to us.
Yes, I know, New Coke, Intel chip, Excedrin, etc. were all major PR blunders. But this takes the cake because of all the intrigue:
- Was "found" by Gizmodo, in a case that prevents field testers from actually holding iP4
- In the lab, they washed their hands, so they didn't see the effect much
- Bumper is introduced, to everyone's surprise
- Hiring of five antenna engineers, on very day bad news breaks
- AppleCare memo purports to say that bumpers are not to be given away free to complaining customers
- Jobs' cryptic promise of a solution and subsequent denial he sent e-mails
- Open letter to iPhone users with "Bad bar reading" admission
- Video shows via an app that iPhone's bar reading is correct
You couldn't write a better industrial spy thriller, if you tried!
I agree. Very rich tales, indeed!
These posters have found a solution to the reception problem. They have applied electrical tape to the iphone. How can this be acceptable.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/959327/
Squeezing it does improve the contact with the hand (fewer gaps between the antenna and the skin) leading to a greater conductivity...
Well...it looks to me that your normal grip gives better speed than on the desk...strange since that all the supposed experts stated that holding the phone results in signal attenuation no matter how it is held. you get the higher SD though...
you get the higher SD though...Courtesy AI:
Courtesy TUAW:
http://www.tuaw.com/2010/07/06/video-evidence-of-the-iphone-4-death-grip-this-time-with-real/
Direct Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCfyKfIwSDQ&feature=player_embedded
I just put a bumper on my phone, problem solved. I will continue to love my iPhone. Why? Because its the best phone on the market, period. Not because its made by "Apple", "Orange", "Grapefruit", "Microsoft", or whoever. It's got a flaw, big deal. I've tried out a ton of other phones that had lagging issues, reception issues, crappy displays, camera's didn't live up to their hype, and I always come back to my good ole' iPhone. At the end of the day, with some minor ticky tack things here and there, I'm still walking around with the most advanced piece of cellular equipment that's been released. Nobody lied and outside of MacRumors, nobody gives a ****. I can walk up to 4,000 iPhone owners and they will all say "I'm in love with this phone".
The glass is very scratch resistance however it is not all that durable to "shock" if you drop the device the glass will still break.
THIS IS WHY THEy HAVE THE BUMPER!
I have the bumper. And I my signal will "drop" in the death grip. However I HAVE YET TO HAVE A DROPPED CALL! WHY???
Because having atnt for about 6 years now, I avoid making calls in areas i know they are gonna drop.
Nevermind this. However my phone, in a good area, has yet to make a dropped call..
I am really getting tried of these treads, CAN WE PLEASE JUST HAVE ONE?!?!?!
People who want to complain on the internet and hope it might get them something free from apple.
I know it's against the rules to point out spelling and grammar mistakes, but this made my brain hurt. Are you trying to say that the solution to the problem is to not use your phone in low signal areas?
OH NO! No iPhone of mine is going to have a piece of cellophane tape on this THING OF BEAUTY!
I reminds of the geek with the taped eyeglasses.
let me try this again.
The glass is very scratch resistant. However it is not crack-proof; it will crack under "shock". ie. dropping it over and over. Since both sides are glass and it's not recessed, Apple came up with the bumper to add protection for users. Everyone makes cases and they are VERY profitable. Apple found that out with the iPad case.
THE BUMPER IS NOT THERE TO FIX THE ANTENNA ISSUE! \
Yes, the antenna attenuates. Probably more than every other phones does. However the overall design, is FAR better than previous versions. Yes some people have been having issues. I have know one person who had a serious issue and he got his phone replaced without much hassle. Its probably a couple people got a manufacturing defect more than anything. Hardware fails on its on around 2 to 5% ... which is probably what the iPhone 4 warranty rate is.
I got my bumper today because i wanted the protection for the glass. I do get the dropped signal with death grip however even with the death grip it has NEVER dropped on call on me anywhere my old 3g didn't drop calls. I don't have any dropped calls because as it goes, I have had atnt for 6 years and know all the areas where my calls will drop no matter what the phone.
Ugh ...
I am Tired of these threads ... over and over.
The glass is very scratch resistant. However it is not crack-proof; it will crack under "shock". ie. dropping it over and over. Since both sides are glass and it's not recessed, Apple came up with the bumper to add protection for users. Everyone makes cases and they are VERY profitable. Apple found that out with the iPad case.
THE BUMPER IS NOT THERE TO FIX THE ANTENNA ISSUE! \
Yes, the antenna attenuates. Probably more than every other phones does. However the overall design, is FAR better than previous versions. Yes some people have been having issues. I have know one person who had a serious issue and he got his phone replaced without much hassle. Its probably a couple people got a manufacturing defect more than anything. Hardware fails on its on around 2 to 5% ... which is probably what the iPhone 4 warranty rate is.
I got my bumper today because i wanted the protection for the glass. I do get the dropped signal with death grip however even with the death grip it has NEVER dropped on call on me anywhere my old 3g didn't drop calls. I don't have any dropped calls because as it goes, I have had atnt for 6 years and know all the areas where my calls will drop no matter what the phone.
Ugh ...
I am Tired of these threads ... over and over.
So, the bumper does NOT help? - This is very concerning. I thought the bumpers prevented the drop. Looks like the bumper is NOT a solution, after all.
What's more alarming is that you have to restrict your calling based upon poor service. How is this acceptable?
What is really strange is that other AT&T phones work fine, while the iPhone has a noticably lower signal strength when compared side by side.
The bumper did not work for me.
It's _not_ acceptable to me, yet Apple says It's Normal.
Precisely! I carry my iPhone 4 & a BlackBerry, the BB phone is excellent. Clear. Good voice tones, no static or dropped calls. Can't be beat....