Steve Jobs Again Speaks Out on iPhone 4 Antenna Issue via Email

[thetexan]

I now believe that the average age of the Macrumors poster has to be something-teen, or stuck there mentally. Maybe it's worse here in the summer since all the kids are hanging out online instead of being at school, as noticed by the 4chan references I see more often on here.

"It's just a phone" will be more true when you're grown up. In the end it doesn't matter, and you'll throw it out in a year or two for a new one anyway. Things like watching your kids grow up, providing for a family, being there for loved ones are what really matters. That's what Steve is really saying. No device like the iPhone deserves as much emotion, positive or negative, as the person emailing Steve had.

 

[Eric S.]

Could Apple have managed this any worse?

 

[daniel8400]

I think its fake or Jobs is out of touch with his base. Either way, one class-action filed and one on the way. We will get an official response from Apple. Once they are served with process they will have 21 days to submit an answer so stay tuned to get the real official response.....and not some email that is supposedly from Jobs.

Either way....it doesn't matter if the issue it part signal related. They advertised the phone as having a new and improved antenna that increases signal strength. Actually, they called it revolutionary. However, it only seems to be revolutionary in areas with excellent reception. Hence, intentional misrepresentation.

I guarantee Apple's attorney has told everyone to stay quiet about the issue because comments like those that are supposedly from Jobs could be construed as an admission and thus an exception to the hearsay rule which would be allowed into evidence. Doubtful they are real but as I said wait because they will have to answer the complaint once they are served with process.

 

[lourock21]

I think a big part of the agitation is Steve and Apple's nonchalant attitude towards this issue.

People don't know what "stay tuned" means. Most people aren't engineers and only know that "touching this spot makes the phone not work".

One thing you learn about customer service is that when you keep customers in the dark they get pissed off and start drawing their own conclusions.

Nonchalant??? What do you want the man to do?? Give everyone a free BJ and say "I'm soooo sorry, about this NON-ISSUE)

This guy is the voice of the company. His job is to promote and sell not hose down the burning building. Next thing you guys will probably want is for them to put an app out to patch the hole in the oil spill.

 

[peterjhill]

brat

the person sending the email to jobs is a real brat. I can think of many other words to describe him, but I'd get banned.

That is no way to have a constructive argument.

I've had one of every iphone model. This design has the capability of having a much more sensitive antenna. Having a bit of training in radio and antenna design, I'd think it would not be impossible for Apple to mitigate the problem in software/firmware. Bridging the two antennas together will change the antennas tuning. the good news is that it changes it in a fixed manner. Perhaps with a bit of signal processing, they could fix the issue.

 

[brentsg]

Whoooosh

Yes, that's exactly what I was saying.

Move along now

The point is, Steve says what he's thinking.

People want him to say the right things and be politically correct with everything, while they foam at the mouth and swear on forums.

 

[citrate]

I am right handed, so I hold the phone in my right hand!! I've never understood the righties that hold phones in their left hand, it feels very unnatural to me. That being said, when I do hold the phone, I hold it using the ends of my fingers, not the "death grip" that people have been showing. Becuase of that, I don't have any issues at all with my phone. Yes, I can drop the bars just like eveyonr else if I really try, but in normal use, it's a non issue for me. I am actually getting better reception than my 3gs.

That being said, I know that for some people, this is a very real issue and is affecting how they use their phone. For those people, it simple: return it for a full refund. You are within the time limit to do that, then wait for the situation to get sorted out instead of giving yourself a stroke everytime you see another antenna video.

Relax, it's just a phone!!

What about when you're surfing or checking out the app store??? Does the phone not sit in your left hand with you dominant hand doing the pointing? This is the natural way for most right handers.

 

[sterno74]

It's $200.00 out of pocket and a two year contract with *more* drop calls in more places and bad reception is what it is.

Actually, no. I just upgraded from a 3G to a 4 and I've been nothing but pleased so far. In my usage so far I've been seeing consistently better signal strength. During my commute I used to get a lot of drop-outs and switches back and forth from 3G to edge. Now I get pretty consistent 3G signal the whole time.

So my sense of this is that the 4 is overall better because of the antenna placement, however, there is a problem with the potential to short it out if you hold it in a certain way. It will vary from person to person depending on how naturally conductive their skin is in the first place.

So overall this isn't that big of a deal. However, Apple's response to this so far has been very poor and Jobs' attitude further makes me think that in two years I'll be getting an Android instead.

 

[bdkennedy1]

Why should thousands of people have to pay a 15% restocking fee to return a defective phone?

People, take it easy. It's just a flippin' phone. If you're not happy with it, then return it and get something else. It's not like you're forced to get an iPhone. Apple does have a return policy - use it.

Get a life already.

 

[buc]

50% dropped calls when previously there were few isn't enjoyable.

Do you honestly think that the dropped call rate for everyone is 50%?

Even if that was for you alone...i still think you're exaggerating (if not outright lying). my dropped call rate is probably around 5% and that's without a real strong signal in my area. (admittedly happens more on the road, but i've had that with all my phones)

 

[iSimx]

While I agree that it is JUST a phone and there are far more important things in life such as family, Jobs is the last one to be relaxed if he was being screwed by a company.

 

[Drake2005]

Reception Issues...

Well this is my first post here and hopefully I don't offend no one. I still have the Iphone 3g works wonders for me and in my home I have a N+ router. With that said ... ever since I updated to Ios4 I have noticed a BIIIIG loss of signal in my 3g. I was thinking this was due to the fact that the 3g is an old model but I have kept looking at all the people complaining about the new Iphone reception and it made me wonder if it is both hardware and software issues. With that said ... You can always RETURN your new Iphone and use your old one until apple fixes you problem or you can keep it and hope for the best. I mean I understand all the "I spent XX ammount on this new phone and i want it to be the best there is" areguments... But like it has been said... "It IS just a phone"!!!
70% of the people that bought the new Iphone were 3g/3gs users.. Wich means they really didn't have to upgrade their phones YET... and if you did upgrade ... Can't you just be happy you have a new phone and wait till Apple comes up with a solution?
I find it soo hard to believe that sooo many people have the problem with this new phone yet still there are no major returns at apple or AT&T stores. I mean if the problem was as bad wouldnt you just return the deffective product? And please dont use the "ohh but then i have to renew my contract for 2 years and get another phone I dont like argument". if 70% of the 1.7 million Iphones were ruturned I bet you Apple and AT&T would do something about it.
Now excuse the grammar and stuff but i believe you all get my point accross.

 

[Tonewheel]

Either way, one class-action filed and one on the way. We will get an official response from Apple. Once they are served with process they will have 21 days to submit an answer so stay tuned to get the real official response.....and not some email that is supposedly from Jobs.

The law suit you speak of was initiated by the LAW FIRM, not by consumers. They're hoping to get sheeple to jump on their bandwagon. Nothing is filed, nothing is imminent.

 

[AtlasBoy]

Without a doubt, every single person on here with reception problems loves their iPhone 4. It is friggin perfect, with the exception of the phone part. It would really pain us if we had to return our phones. So, it just not as simple as "return it".

It works how it works. It's ether acceptable or it's not. Decide to keep it as is, or return it. It's just that simple.

 

[theheadguy]

Amazing customer service.

 

[kas23]

I am right handed, so I hold the phone in my right hand!! I've never understood the righties that hold phones in their left hand, it feels very unnatural to me. That being said, when I do hold the phone, I hold it using the ends of my fingers, not the "death grip" that people have been showing. Becuase of that, I don't have any issues at all with my phone. Yes, I can drop the bars just like eveyonr else if I really try, but in normal use, it's a non issue for me. I am actually getting better reception than my 3gs.

I'm a righty too. Tell me, when you're holding the phone while talking, where do you place your right pinky?

 

[Jamie 360]

It is an issue that should be addressed, but it's just so minor compared to the coverage its getting.

Just think of having to stop what you're doing, pulling the stylus out of your Treo 650, taking the battery cover off and resetting it from the back and putting the battery cover back on.....all while you were in the middle of a phone conversation (or finding a paper clip because you lost the stylus like most people) then get back to me. That was life before the iPhone for many "smart phone" users.

 

[brentsg]

I now believe that the average age of the Macrumors poster has to be something-teen, or stuck there mentally. Maybe it's worse here in the summer since all the kids are hanging out online instead of being at school, as noticed by the 4chan references I see more often on here.

"It's just a phone" will be more true when you're grown up. In the end it doesn't matter, and you'll throw it out in a year or two for a new one anyway. Things like watching your kids grow up, providing for a family, being there for loved ones are what really matters. That's what Steve is really saying. No device like the iPhone deserves as much emotion, positive or negative, as the person emailing Steve had.

I agree with this 100%.

 

[HyperZboy]

I side with jobs only because of how stupid the other guy was to act like that to a professional CEO of a company. He clearly has some clue as to what he is doing if he turns a pathetic company in its dumps to a multi-billion dollar phenomenon.

(Blog: http://allthingstarun.wordpress.com/2010/07/01/steve-is-right-relax-people/)

And I on the other hand disagree with you completely and think that is a ridiculous stereotypical fanboy comment.

I find it odd that the CEO of a major corporation would stoop so low as to dignify a complaint via email if he really thought it was a non-issue and basically a crank call.

Why bother? You only bring yourself down to that person's juvenile level.

Well, but on the other hand, not if there is some truth to this antenna thing? Hmmm.

BINGO! I think we have a winner.

And the fact that Apple's hiring a flood of antenna engineers adds insult to injury! LOL

 

[Tonewheel]

I now believe that the average age of the Macrumors poster has to be something-teen, or stuck there mentally. Maybe it's worse here in the summer since all the kids are hanging out online instead of being at school, as noticed by the 4chan references I see more often on here.

"It's just a phone" will be more true when you're grown up. In the end it doesn't matter, and you'll throw it out in a year or two for a new one anyway. Things like watching your kids grow up, providing for a family, being there for loved ones are what really matters. That's what Steve is really saying. No device like the iPhone deserves as much emotion, positive or negative, as the person emailing Steve had.

No surprise...of course they're stuck their mentally.

 

[haiggy]

I have lost all respect for this man and his company as of today. I love my Macbook, I love my iPad, I've loved many past iPods, and I love my iP4... this is ******** though.

He is not only insulting customers he is taking us all for granted. My iP4 will be returned on the last day of my return window.

Take his email account away!

EDIT: I can't believe some of you still think this is a software issue. I can stand directly under an ATT tower or beside a Microcell and lightly touch the side of my phone (with a bumper on) and lose 4 bars. Sometimes I can even make it drop calls if it's resting in my palm. This is not software - a hand shorts out the damn antenna and it's time you defenders of Jobs know this.

lol Did you not read the report? Standing under an ATT tower is a bad spot for reception. The towers are meant to propagate the signal OUTWARDS not up and down from the tower. The Microcell on the other hand...

 

[Xian Zhu Xuande]

While I agree that it is JUST a phone and there are far more important things in life such as family, Jobs is the last one to be relaxed if he was being screwed by a company.

For all you know he probably wouldn't blink twice about something like this in his personal life—or maybe he'd send an email and move on with his life. Heck, wouldn't surprise me given his background.

He wouldn't sit down and relax if it were Apple, though, because that's a primary focus of his life. He's running the company. Now, how does this apply to a regular person? If they're obsessing to the point of being stressed or miserable during the day they really need to get their life in order. Go out on a hike, maybe; or just take a walk. It really isn't worth it.

 

[HurryKayne]

I think when Steve Jobs says "retire" what he means is if you'll shut up, he'll send you enough money so you can retire.

still unfair...
but i'm scared to think..
"if you don't shut up i'll gonna pay my lawyers against you...to make it"

 

[dgree03]

Its so funny that NOW its "Just a phone" I have to giggle inside...

Apple Marketing

its Revolutionary
its magical
it will change the way we live our lives
Only $200 or $300 dollars + $25 data for 24months
It beautiful
Best reception ever

But in reality, to apple, its just a phone...

Contradict much?

 

[mozumder]

God I love Steve Jobs

Anyone that decided to camp out for a night to buy an object, instead of enjoying life, should go ahead and be put out of their misery.

The customer is ALWAYS wrong.