Yeah, I tried the same thing with my E65, the signal strength never moved off 100%
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Other Mobile Phones with Similar Signal Loss Issues
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yeah, I tried the same thing with my E65, the signal strength never moved off 100%
I'm with Steve Jobs on this one, although his "reply" was somewhat gruff. I just took off my iSkin from my 3GS and I can make the signal strength disappear in the same way as seen in various video clips. Tried it with a motorola phone and to a certain extent I can make it do it there as well. But tried my brothers Crackberry and was able to make it do the same thing.
So big deal, it's a wireless device, the user will effect the signal, fact of life. That said when I have the iSkin on, I get no attenuation of signal strength, so looks like the iPhone bumpers will sell well.
Now casting my mind back to the 1st gen iPhone, wasn't there a similar concern about the metal case backing effecting signal strength back then and that being why they moved to the plastic back for the 3G. Seems Apple should have learnt their lesson and insulated the metal boarder from the get go instead of having it on display, especially considering that a coloured bumper will be de rigueur..... wonder what the iPhone5 will look like.....
So big deal, it's a wireless device, the user will effect the signal, fact of life. That said when I have the iSkin on, I get no attenuation of signal strength, so looks like the iPhone bumpers will sell well.
Now casting my mind back to the 1st gen iPhone, wasn't there a similar concern about the metal case backing effecting signal strength back then and that being why they moved to the plastic back for the 3G. Seems Apple should have learnt their lesson and insulated the metal boarder from the get go instead of having it on display, especially considering that a coloured bumper will be de rigueur..... wonder what the iPhone5 will look like.....
Here is the Nokia 6230 manual, like all Nokia manuals that I have had over the years. It is just a fact of RF engineering and life. Hard science.
+1 I have an HTC Hero from Sprint for work and in the book it says to not place your hands over the bottom because that is where the antenna is located. If the dock port and speakers weren't on the bottom or taking up most of the space they could have put that joint where most people don't touch it.
People and mr jobs is missing the POINT!!! yes I agree cupping any phone will lose singnal to a point but when your actually touching BARE ANTENNA METAL its FAR FAR WORSE as most phones are plastic it needs to have a non conductive coating as a fix thats why bumpers are working there rubber!!!
Un-freaking believable
So I'm curious, when did Apple start comparing themselves to other products. I wasn't aware that I was buying or paying EXTRA for equipment that was just "normal" or like everyone else. I'm not going to pay for a Mercedes but get a Honda.
We can NOT let Apple just get away with this. They need to fix this very obvious design flaw. I've had many PDA phones throughout the years, and I have never expereinced this major of an issue.
So I'm curious, when did Apple start comparing themselves to other products. I wasn't aware that I was buying or paying EXTRA for equipment that was just "normal" or like everyone else. I'm not going to pay for a Mercedes but get a Honda.
We can NOT let Apple just get away with this. They need to fix this very obvious design flaw. I've had many PDA phones throughout the years, and I have never expereinced this major of an issue.
Interesting, I know this is such a complex topic unless your in this industry; but it would sure seem like they could have just made the line somewhere that you wouldn't touch both and short it out.
Note that what Nokia calls "normal operating position" is exactly what Mr. Jobs is saying is the wrong way to hold an Iphone.
Similarly, my 3 or 4 year old Verizon smartphone has the labels that follow -- but the "do not touch" area is at the very top of the phone where you're unlikely to put fleshy objects while using the phone. Also, with internal antennae your fleshy objects will merely shield the signal. With the Iphone 4's use of the external metal banding as the antennae themselves - touching them can not only shield the signal, but it can "short" out the signals by radically altering the RF characteristics of the antennae. (You may also note that my old phone has a flash for the camera
.)It really is an epic design fail for Apple to put the antennae externally on the bottom of the device where it's natural to put one's hand to hold the phone. Epic.
Attachments
I still don't excuse apple for this. My 3GS doesn't experience ANY drop in signal when holding it in any fashion. You would expect the same or better from the new model. I gave my brother the money to buy this iPhone as a present, I am now going to recommend that he does not buy the phone. He is left handed.
Been doing this for years. Never had a signal problem.
Hilarious, you made my day man.
Does this occur on WiFi as well, as in, when browsing on WiFi you hold the phone in a manner that bridges the gap between the two antennas and suddenly WiFi signal drops?
I would check my self, but I am loading my music, video, ect on my 4.
BTW the i dont care if his repsonse is right or not, it is a crappy response.
I better but similar response would be to, saying we are currently looking into this issue, and then a couple of days later say well, we found this is a standard actiion and our recommendation is to use a case or bumper, however if you want we will provide you with, at no charge, a invisible shield like strip of addhesive that can go around the metal band on your phone. However, because we want to ensure it is installed correctly on Apple employees or Apple "geniuses" at BB and ATT can install them.
This make everyone happy, fixes the problem, and avoids another PR nightmare for Apple and ATT.
His repsonse is pretty crappy, and if it was just the signal bars being funky then fine, but when it drops to edge or no service, it isn't useable as a phone or an internet device...
I would check my self, but I am loading my music, video, ect on my 4.
BTW the i dont care if his repsonse is right or not, it is a crappy response.
I better but similar response would be to, saying we are currently looking into this issue, and then a couple of days later say well, we found this is a standard actiion and our recommendation is to use a case or bumper, however if you want we will provide you with, at no charge, a invisible shield like strip of addhesive that can go around the metal band on your phone. However, because we want to ensure it is installed correctly on Apple employees or Apple "geniuses" at BB and ATT can install them.
This make everyone happy, fixes the problem, and avoids another PR nightmare for Apple and ATT.
His repsonse is pretty crappy, and if it was just the signal bars being funky then fine, but when it drops to edge or no service, it isn't useable as a phone or an internet device...
FAIR enough nokia but his does NOT apply to iphone 4 for one the iphones attenna is BARE METAL BAD BAD BAD!!! and second there is NO WAY you canot hold the phone without covering the iphone 4 antenna!! it need to be redesigned so you dont make contact or placed behind the glass at the top edge of the phone so users can keep out the way of it holding the bottom!
Great video thanks, I do believe a death grip will do it but, check mine out ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xU6878akO8I
Apples claim to fame used to be that it provided the best user experience with the best products.
Now they've gotten so full of themselves that its ok to have a horrible user experience as long as you have a pretty phone. This is very very sad. May indicate major problems. It's an inherent design defect. Most phones do not have metal antennas on the outside of the phone. This is why.
Now they've gotten so full of themselves that its ok to have a horrible user experience as long as you have a pretty phone. This is very very sad. May indicate major problems. It's an inherent design defect. Most phones do not have metal antennas on the outside of the phone. This is why.
Yes a phone given out FREE should have issues, but one that costs top dollar made by a company considered the best in design should not. Please stop defending Apple, unless you want them to put out flawed hardware for now on, stop defending them and accepting their BS.
I've said it in my other post I enjoy my Macbook Pro and I'm a happy convert and shareholder of the company, I had planned on getting the iPhone 4. But I'm not going to buy something that I need to worry about if I'm holding it correctly for it to work.
I've said it in my other post I enjoy my Macbook Pro and I'm a happy convert and shareholder of the company, I had planned on getting the iPhone 4. But I'm not going to buy something that I need to worry about if I'm holding it correctly for it to work.
Too funny. I just duplicated the signal loss 'issue' on my 3GS, yet not once have I ever been affected by it over the past year.
Try it yourself, except hold it in your right hand with the lower right in your palm and your thumb on the upper right.
I wonder how come this is such a big 'issue' this time around?
Try it yourself, except hold it in your right hand with the lower right in your palm and your thumb on the upper right.
I wonder how come this is such a big 'issue' this time around?
So you're saying that every single iPhone 4 is having this problem?
Because mine isn't either. I'm not denying that there is an issue that people are having, but as people have pointed out, there are those who are not experiencing issues.
Signal loss has been a huge issue since the original iPhone. We were all quick to blame it on AT&T. Sure AT&T's network needs improving, but now, it seems that part of the problem truly is Apple and we've only just now been able to see it because the placement of the antenna.
People also have different sweat glands, different eye colors, different hair colors, etc..
Do you want us all to look alike too?
I think Steve is right when he says it's a "non-issue".
I have had same problems with previous gen iPhones and other phones.
Here's the deal...
New iPhone released.
Announced "New Antenna built into steel frame!"
Someone assumes it will affect signal strength.
Becomes public.
Turns out it does affect signal strength when you hold the phone a certain way.
People freak out.
Little do they know it's been under their noses the past 2 years.
Chances are, you have used your iPhone 3g or 3gs for years and never even noticed a problem with the antenna! I just find it ridiculous that you are only complaining and freaking out now that it has gone public. I think it's because of the fact you are conscious of it, not because of the phone itself.
I have had same problems with previous gen iPhones and other phones.
Here's the deal...
New iPhone released.
Announced "New Antenna built into steel frame!"
Someone assumes it will affect signal strength.
Becomes public.
Turns out it does affect signal strength when you hold the phone a certain way.
People freak out.
Little do they know it's been under their noses the past 2 years.
Chances are, you have used your iPhone 3g or 3gs for years and never even noticed a problem with the antenna! I just find it ridiculous that you are only complaining and freaking out now that it has gone public. I think it's because of the fact you are conscious of it, not because of the phone itself.