Steve Jobs denies iP4 reception issues!

[iStrat]

I get between 1 and 3 bars in my apartment, on average. My service isn't great there. If I gently touch a single finger to the bottom left corner of the phone to bridge the 2 antennae together, my service drops completely. Not only do the bars drop, but I can't browse the web (using 3G, WiFi is mostly unaffected) or make phone calls. I never noticed anything like this happening with my first generation iPhone.

However, I was in an area today where I get 5 bars and I did the same test, and there was no disruption of service. I didn't do any speed tests or anything, but I remained at 5 bars no matter how I held the phone. I can see how some people could be completely unaffected by this.

The problem is less severe in my apartment if I hold the phone in a normal way, vertically or horizontally, than if I deliberately bridge the antennae in that bottom left corner, but it's still possible for me to lose service completely in certain spots of my apartment if I'm not careful of how I hold it. I'm kind of learning what spots in my apartment are troublesome and which hand positions I can and can't use in those spots.

For me personally, the issue isn't severe enough for me to consider returning the phone or anything, but it would be nice if it could be fixed through a software update of some kind. We'll see.

 

[cloudberrybrew]

Well, I think I will wait for a couple more months before I upgrade my old 3G.

Cause I far as I can see, outside of the reception issues, the iPhone 4 causes some sort of uncontrollable "28 Days Later" like rage.

Go ahead and get it, its awesome.

 

[tigres]

Not in the least.

Look, I don't know that there is an issue or not. I don't know, and you don't either. All the evidence thus far has included too many unknowns to make a rational conclusion.

All we need to do is eliminate the variables, and produce the effect... and then we will be on to something.

Otherwise... it's just giggles in the dark.

Chances are there are at least 3 cell towers within a mile radius of you. Go check. And please report honestly. If you can get the call to drop underneath a tower, then there really is something to this. But in all other cases I've seen, all the links here, all the YouTube videos, every single piece of "evidence" published by Gizmodo, are completely worthless in regards to being able to make a rational conclusion.

You go climb a tower. Report back. Don't forget to remove your blinders, and earplugs.

There is no reasoning with people whom cannot listen to others. You are like my ex-wife.

/ignore

 

[-aggie-]

Not in the least.

Look, I don't know that there is an issue or not. I don't know, and you don't either. All the evidence thus far has included too many unknowns to make a rational conclusion.

All we need to do is eliminate the variables, and produce the effect... and then we will be on to something.

Otherwise... it's just giggles in the dark.

Chances are there are at least 3 cell towers within a mile radius of you. Go check. And please report honestly. If you can get the call to drop underneath a tower, then there really is something to this. But in all other cases I've seen, all the links here, all the YouTube videos, every single piece of "evidence" published by Gizmodo, are completely worthless in regards to being able to make a rational conclusion.

So, let me get this straight. You actually think that there might not be a problem with the cell phone, and it’s due to AT&T? You’re not convinced it’s the cell phone, and you need someone to stand under a tower to convince you?

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

You nailed it. I thought at first my phone was fine. Then a few hours later I was holding it in my left hand (I'm right handed) and using my right hand to surf on Safari when the page stopped loading. I looked at the bars, then my left hand covering the left side of the metal band, and I knew I had the problem too. Every phone has this problem, it is so obvious.

This is looking bad for Apple.

 

[cloudberrybrew]

You go climb a tower. Report back. Don't forget to remove your blinders, and earplugs.

There is no reasoning with people whom cannot listen to others. You are like my ex-wife.

/ignore

He probably doesn't even have an iPhone 4 to test

 

[Daveoc64]

Or the fact that hes arguing with people who are much more qualified and some of us don't even have an issue because of our own variables!

The issue is still there though.

Toyota had problems with the braking system on the Prius because it was calibrated for good driving conditions.

If you never drove the car in anything but good driving conditions, then you'd never have noticed the issue - but that doesn't stop it being there in the first place.

 

[movieator]

Go ahead and get it, its awesome.

I'll still wait. I mean, yeah, I want one, but I always wait a few months before I grab a revison A product.
Plus, hopefully this issue is worked out by the time my birthday rolls around in August, as I've given hints to my wife.

And by hints, I mean, "Honey, I'm going to buy the new iPhone for my birthday present from you. So you can just get me a card or something."

 

[cloudberrybrew]

The issue is still there though.

Toyota had problems with the braking system on the Prius because it was calibrated for good driving conditions.

If you never drove the car in anything but good driving conditions, then you'd never have noticed the issue - but that doesn't stop it being there in the first place.

Never said the problem isn't there. It definitely is. I have some problems at home, but not in city-center. When the software approaches losing signal, its most likely freaking out and reporting no signal and switching frequencies.

 

[cloudberrybrew]

I'll still wait. I mean, yeah, I want one, but I always wait a few months before I grab a revison A product.
Plus, hopefully this issue is worked out by the time my birthday rolls around in August, as I've given hints to my wife.

And by hints, I mean, "Honey, I'm going to buy the new iPhone for my birthday present from you. So you can just get me a card or something."

 

[Fuchal]

That's fine... trouble is, that's not science, and the evidence is suspect... worthless, meaningless, anacdotal at best.

Or how about every Apple Store and AppleCare employee (about 10 total) I've talked to says they received memos that the problem is being worked on by Apple's engineers all weekend and a fix is forthcoming? Is that not enough evidence that there is a problem?

Maybe Apple engineers just like to work all weekend for fun.

 

[cloudberrybrew]

No.

You can't see cell signals. I can't either. No one can. THey're invisible.

THAT is why all the evidence is suspect. Yes, we know the state of the phone... we can see it. No, we do not know the state of the cell signals, they are invisible.

Under a cell tower we can reasonably assume that the cell reception will be ideal. If you can reproduce the effect under these conditions, and only under these conditions, will the hypothesis that the phone is messed up be valid.

Most of us have stated numerous times that we don't believe its the phone, its more likely the software.

 

[peterdevries]

Ah. What? I haven't seen proof of anything. Did you read Fitzgerald's blog post?

http://www.thomas-fitzgerald.net/20...d-the-bigger-issues-in-technology-journalism/

It sort of outs Gizmodo as full of crap. Maybe there is an issue. We don't know because no one is actually trying to find out. They are creating worthless exercises and reporting the same worthless evidence. In order to know if the thing is defective, we need to know that it's not a case of ... solar flare screwed up your cell at that moment. YEs, I exaggerate to make a point... I don't really believe that, however, there is NO WAY TO KNOW!

That is the point of eliminating the variables. Make sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the strength of cell isn't the cause, then reproduce the results. The only way I know to do this simply is to sit under a tower.

No, it's a lot easier. You bought the device to make calls and surf the Internet. So, take two other cellphones and connect to the Internet or make a call, holding them in lots of different ways and see what it does to the signal. Do the same with the iPhone in the same spot at home or wherever. If the iPhone drops the signal and the others don't, then you have isolated the problem to the iPhone. Unless a freak solar flare acts up each time you hold your iPhone, it's pretty clear that the problem lies with the device. Repeat this a few times to rule out solar flares, ufo's and Steve Ballmer and you are done.

No elimination of other variables needed. The phone doesn't do what you need it to do. Easy enough.

 

[ianray]

The only way I know to do this simply is to sit under a tower.

Apple, AT&T, and perhaps the base-station and phone chipset manufacturers will be working together to check logs, take measurements, make a scientific analysis of the problem, and ultimately take corrective action. We will see the fruits of their labours in the form of iOS 4.0.1.

They most likely will not be sitting under cell towers.

 

[LDT]

Steve just admitted it's fixable with a software update.

Steve hasn't admitted to anything yet.

 

[chill1n]

Most of us have stated numerous times that we don't believe its the phone, its more likely the software.

Doesn't matter. The test is merely to flesh out if there is an issue or not, not what causes the issue.

 

[cmaier]

Most of us have stated numerous times that we don't believe its the phone, its more likely the software.

He thinks we have not said that. He also thinks standing under a cell tower makes sense because he incorrectly believes the cells are designed to radiate straight down. And he thinks because it is invisible, the behavior of rf radiation is inexplicable (hint: it travels in a straight line).

Can we all just agree to ignore the trolling?

 

[LDT]

No way Apple is recalling over 1 million phones - the time to process them, dispose of them, fix them etc, just isn't worth the cost of building and shipping a replacement. I actually don't think they have the infrastructure to even pull it off!

Absolute worst case they'll just tell you to keep the phone and they'll ship you another when the problem is fixed.

Total cost $200million - not so bad in light of the possible outcomes.

If the issue is real we'll know by Tuesday when Apple will most likely suspend shipments and all new sales and issue a notice similar to the one above - if not it's software or a non-issue then we'll hear nothing.

Apple claimed to have sold 1.5 million phones on Thursday. If it has to replace
just one third of them, the cost will be $450million, since the iPhone 4 sells for about $900. The hit to Apple's top line and reputation will be enormous.

 

[cloudberrybrew]

He thinks we have not said that. He also thinks standing under a cell tower makes sense because he incorrectly believes the cells are designed to radiate straight down. And he thinks because it is invisible, the behavior of rf radiation is inexplicable (hint: it travels in a straight line).

Can we all just agree to ignore the trolling?

I can agree to ignore him, but I don't think hes smart enough to be trolling. He's just a simple village-idiot.

 

[arn]

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Most of us have stated numerous times that we don't believe its the phone, its more likely the software.

Doesn't matter. The test is merely to flesh out of there is an issue or not, not what causes the issue.

Still don't understand the point of your test. Lets say it works fine under a cell tower. Then what? Does that mean the problem doesn't exist? No it means the problem does exist if u are standing under a cell tower.



I don't actually care if it exists under a cell tower. I care I if it exists everywhere else.



arn

 

[LucidMac]

Non-sense

Has anyone ever considered that the interpretation of the signal by the OS is so sensitive that a lower signal is actually interpreted as no service and does not let you make a call even if there is still a signal that would allow it?

While I agree that the signal does drop when you cup the phone (which by the way is very awkward to hold to your ear fully cupped), apparently this is a natural issue that MANY cellular devices have, and which has already been proven by videos or manuals from other device makers themselves.

My signal drops too, but I have not had an issue making ANY calls yet so I will use the wait and see approach.

I am so tired of hearing this ridiculous explanation. A natural issue that MANY cell devices have??? I've been using cell phones for years and I never saw anything like this. We need to stop defending this like a mother defending her guilty child that everyone can see is in the wrong. Apple screwed up big here (I have the same problem on my phone) and we as consumers need to hold their feet to the fire. Not give them a pass and make this ridiculous excuses for them. Damn people!

 

[Daveoc64]

btw, when you fail to attack the argument, because your debate skills are weak, and you instead attack the man, this is known as an ad hominem attack, and it is a well known fallacy. If you did this, this is the only response you will get... yes, my feelings hurt just a little... but you made my argument stronger by arguing fallaciously against it. And I thank you.

People have attacked your argument and the way you present it.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

Apple has not announced a fix. You are pointing to a sketchily sourced rumor. The origin was a now deleted forum discussion post that no one on these forums had seem for themselves 1st hand. I acknowldged that rumor in this news story.

arn

Sketchy indeed. Delivered by a foamy mouthy rabid fanboy in need to some fresh air. Thanks for being balanced Arn.

 

[cloudberrybrew]

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Still don't understand the point of your test. Lets say it works fine under a cell tower. Then what? Does that mean the problem doesn't exist? No it means the problem does exist if u are standing under a cell tower.



I don't actually care if it exists under a cell tower. I care I if it exists everywhere else.



arn

we saw those typos before you fixed them arn

 

[peterdevries]

I don't actually care if it exists under a cell tower. I care I if it exists everywhere else.

arn

Well, if it only exist under cell towers, than Apple could sell us baseball caps with little cells on it that would fry our brains, but at least Chill1n would be happy and we would have 5 bars always..