PR Experts Suggest iPhone 4 Recall 'Inevitable' as Antenna Issue Snowballs

[txpotato]

OK, so your iPhone 4 experience may ending up costing you $4.99...



Your trolling grows tiresome. Are you incapable of posting a single comment that doesn't include the term "fanboy" or "Steve Blowjobs?"

Sure we can, just afraid you fanboys do not understand.

 

[parham55]

If the iPhone 4 is such a better phone than previous generations, then why does it COMPLETELY lose its 3G data connection when I hold it in the same manner that I always held my iPhone 3G? I don't just mean the bars drop off -- I mean web pages refuse to load. Speed tests drop to zero. It's not a perception issue, it is a real problem.

I shouldn't have to buy an optional accessory to make my phone properly perform its primary function. Besides, I simply don't want a case on my phone. I never had one on my iPhone 3G and it was never a problem. I shouldn't be required to put one on my iPhone 4.

Exactly.

I will say I have experienced the problem in various locations. Other locations I can't replicate the problem at all. Some people can replicate the problem some people can't. Regardless the underlying cause of the problem is still there. I'll be interested to see the next iPhone and see if it also has an external antenna that isn't insulated.
For those of you insisting we take the phones back, I'll be keeping mine. I can deal with the problem and I really like all the other aspects.
That said I find the fact that the problem exists is amazing. It tells me the testing Apple did was insufficient. All products need to be thoroughly tested in real world environments.
On the PR side of things this issue has been handled poorly. For legal reasons Apple can't admit they are aware of the problem. However, they should not have come out and said a hardware problem doesn't exist. That leaves them no maneuvering room. In the end this will make for an interesting case-study in academia.

 

[LagunaSol]

Sure, now that apple has waived restocking fees (of course, I bought from Apple. Other retailers may not play along).

You're painting the fact that they waived the restocking fees as a bad thing?

But I'm not sure what your point is. Many people seem to think that when a product has a design flaw and the manufacturer won't admit it, and, even goes as far as to make stupid public statements like "you're holding it wrong," our only recourse is to return it.

Not your only recourse, but the most effective one.

Vote with your wallet.

We're not allowed to:
1) talk about the problem
2) try to convince apple to fix the problem
3) speculate about the problem
4) point out that the supposed "fix" won't solve the problem

Who said you weren't allowed to talk about it? But come on, you don't think the anti-Apple rage here has gone to Ludicrous Speed? And much of it from the usual suspects, who don't even own an iPhone 4.

The fact that there is a remedy that leaves me no worse off doesn't mean I can't wish to be even better off than I was. I'd like Apple to sell an i4 that works properly.

That's what we all want. Well, not all. Many of the trolls here want nothing more than for Apple to fail, and fail badly. We both know who they are - we see them talking the same nonsense about every single product Apple sells.

In your situation I say return the device, get your money back, wait and see what Apple does to fix the problem, decide whether or not to repurchase. Not the ideal situation, but the best given the circumstances.

Me, I'm just looking for a bumper case so I don't drop the thing and shatter both glass sides.

 

[adztaylor]

They are probably going to issue a software fix that iPhone 4 will show full bars no matter how you hold it. Well, full bars in no ATT coverage area. Failed.

Did you even read Apple's statement?

 

[avanpelt]

EXACTAMUNDO !!

They're holding onto them because they're great phones... Nothing better out there.

AtomicBatteries (or whatever TF you handle is). Reread my post - we are waiting for the WHITE models. We'll be glad to get them and matching cases... Shove off

Buy a case, or return your phone...

Actually, I'm holding on to my iPhone 4 until the Droid X comes out on Thursday -- unless Apple owns up to the problem with the iPhone 4's proximity sensor before Thursday and states clearly how and when they will fix it. Once I have a Droid X in my hand, the iPhone 4 is going back to the AT&T store for a full refund.

 

[NightFox]

you have 4 options.

1) hold the phone differently

2) buy a case (99% of iPhone users do anyway)

3) Return the phone

4) Buy an Android phone.

5) Be vocal and apply direct and indirect pressure on Apple to fix the issue

 

[OllyW]

you have 3 more options if you don't want to buy a case.

I was commenting on your ridiculous made up statistic.

 

[GeneralSpecial]

"Snowball"? Only in the press's mind

C'mon, let's be real. Saying there's a "snowballing" issue here really means "there are more and more blogs rehashing the same story over and over".

Meanwhile, iPhone 4s are selling like mad.

 

[CaptainCannabis]

They didn't do it with their shi**y 1st Gen MBA which overheated all the time and couldn't even play a YouTube video, so why would they do it with an iPhone, especially if people are dumb enough to still buy it after the antenna issues.

 

[cmChimera]

Sure we can, just afraid you fanboys do not understand.

Are you excited about puberty yet?

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

5) Be vocal and apply direct and indirect pressure on Apple to fix the issue

6) Keep using my 1st Gen iPhone

 

[BobVB]

I tell you to buy a case, who doesn't have a case on their iPhone.

I don't, why would I want a case - they make it hard to slide it in and out of pockets reliably.

Again, if it needed a case it would come with a case.

 

[Poll Smoker]

you have 3 more options if you don't want to buy a case.

FWIW, "dogie" is "danielSW", who was recently banned.

Someone at AI called him out on it. He's posting the exact same stuff over there.

 

[cmaier]

you have 4 options.

1) hold the phone differently

2) buy a case (99% of iPhone users do anyway)

3) Return the phone

4) Buy an Android phone.

5) bitch about it enough that it becomes a PR disaster for Apple and they have to fix the problem.

 

[SAD*FACED*CLOWN]

Do you have a phone? I do. And there isn't anything wrong, and I can't replicate the "dropped bars" issue when holding the device in the lower left corner. It's a great device and does what I need it to do. But guess what. AT&T's network sucks donkey nuggets. That's the issue, and it always will be. A recall is ridiculous.

Every other phone on AT&T's network has been just fine..this thread is about the device not the network

 

[unamused]

The mob mentality is really incredible to observe.

For those who are complaining about Apple's "silence" on the issue, has it occurred to you that there are probably a bunch of super-stressed, highly motivated engineers in the labs 24x7 trying to come up with a fix right now? For the engineering team, this is a huge Apollo 13 moment where the engineers can come through and save the day. You have to let them come up with a solution and test it and see what the results are before predicting success or failure.

Putting pressure on Apple is great and all, but this thing where people turn on each other is a waste of time and not productive. Apple just did a recall on Time Capsules after observing their repair data (mine was repaired under the previous informal extended warranty), and they did it for bad iBook motherboards. This is much higher in profile, so there is no reason to think they will not develop a solution.

FWIW, my IP4's real world reception performance is slightly better than my 3GS was, even though I can reproduce the antenna problem.

im sure they want to fix the device and are working hard on it but i think what the people want is some sort of admission of fault or wrong doing WHILE they are working on the fix...

If they simply made a statement that, yes, there is a problem and we are working on it, then it would shut 95% of the people up because they would have admitted to the problem and said they are working on a fix... but as it is right now, they make the claim that its software and nothing else when everyone knows thats not the issue which is a flat out lie.

The engineering and marketing/pr teams are different... the engineers can focus on the issue at hand while the other team can let people know that they are working on the fix.

To me, a company that can say we screwed up and are working on a fix is far better then a company that pretends all is well when it isnt... honesty goes a LONG way with customer confidence.

 

[Barham]

Unfortunate Series of Events

First - I have an iPhone 4 and am able to reproduce the reduction in bars. However, my reception has been better on the new iPhone than on the older 3GS and original.

Second - There have been multiple podcasts recently with RF engineers as guests. These experts have said that the problem is unrelated to bridging the seam. The fact that the symptom occurs at this location is merely coincidence. This is a problem of increased attenuation. Your hand/finger/whatever is deadening the signal.

Third - The effect is exacerbated by the flaw in Apple's signal strength indicator (bars). Whether they did this to themselves is up for debate, but for some, they are seeing five bars before covering the antenna when they should be seeing three. So, the phone is not losing five bars when you cover the antenna, it is losing two to three.

I would be surprised to see a recall on this device, and the person who called this Apple's Vista must not be seeing the sales figures and lines for the device.

 

[Exinor]

*sits crosslegged and grabs some iPopcorn*

 

[Darwing]

Exactly - this is so overblown. If it isn't working for you - take it back.

what dont people see, this is a global issue, there isnt just magical iphones out there that dont have this issue, and for those who claim they dont have this issue I have yet to see a video of it in their home holding it without the signal search after 20 sec of holding...

yes people are taking them back in flocks!! but some are waiting the title of this thread and a recall.. they want the phone, but they want the phone that works..

 

[GQB]

You're right. Apple should have had enough common sense to not put an antenna where you have to hold the phone to make a call. SERIOUS DESIGN BLUNDER, by genius steve jobs.

No, the external antenna greatly improves reception. Its not a 'design flaw', but a 'design trade-off'. Big difference.
I frankly don't know (and no one chiming in does either) the numbers or percentages of people perceiving this as a problem.
But unlike the 'waaaahh' crowd, I'm willing to wait for more information before jumping into the FUD pollution.

 

[jrbdmb]

No. it's really THAT simple. just return the ****ing phone if you're so unhappy with it and get one of those Android phones.

I'm not sure what bothers me more - the issue itself, Apple's (lack of) response to the issue, or responses such as the above from nitwits who continue to defend Apple despite all evidence that this is a legitimate issue.

BTW, my cost to return the iPhone 4 at AT&T would be $30 restocking plus the month of service. Hardly a "free" return.

 

[NetScheduler]

True.



LOL!

Yes LOL!! What an intellegent and well thought out response. Wow, I bet you're and engineer or a highly educated person with that kind of answer. Yes, anyone who expresses an opinion that doesn't conform to your blind fanboy idea of the world get the "well thought out answer of LOL"..

How many years of college did you go to answer scientifically with remarks like "LOL"!!

You're soooo Smart!!! Have nice life. I assume judging by your "intelligent" response that you probably have to go out and spend your food stamps now!! LOL!!!

 

[trolly.s.rogers]

When i touch my tv antenna the picture goes all fuzzy. Do you think they will give me a bumper for that?

LOL... wow. You do understand that the phone is designed to be held while a tv isn't?

 

[ValSalva]

*sits crosslegged and grabs some iPopcorn*

Yes, this is going to be quite the soap opera for some time. Or is it more like a professional wrestling match?

 

[valkraider]

The mob mentality is really incredible to observe.

For those who are complaining about Apple's "silence" on the issue, has it occurred to you that there are probably a bunch of super-stressed, highly motivated engineers in the labs 24x7 trying to come up with a fix right now? For the engineering team, this is a huge Apollo 13 moment where the engineers can come through and save the day. You have to let them come up with a solution and test it and see what the results are before predicting success or failure.

Exactly. The phone has been out in the public less than 20 days.

People act like all the Apple engineers are doing is sitting in smoke filled rooms counting piles of money.

I guarantee every iPhone engineer (software or hardware) at Apple has not seen their family, their bed, or sunshine since June 23.

And on top of that, the accountants are probably just as overworked crunching numbers, and the PR teams are probably hunkered down in a bunker as well taking accounting's numbers and working on a plan.

It is a bug. These things happen. My cars have had bugs. My computers have had bugs. My video game consoles have had bugs. Bicycle components have bugs. I have a 2006 Kawasaki Concours motorcycle that was built with the same well known design flaws for 20 years.

It is not the end of the world. It is a bug in a smart phone. Apple is a business. They have had these types of problems before and will have them again. They have addressed screen issues, battery issues, fan issues, power supply issues, memory issues, etc etc etc. The press knows that they will get readers by writing stories about Apple.

How come there are not so many stories about the HTC Evo bugs, or the Droid Incredible bugs. Because they don't make as sensational press as iPhone 4 stories, that's why. Most people don't even know what an HTC Evo is... But who hasn't heard of the iPhone?

IT IS A DAMN PHONE. Stop freaking out.