Stress Testing the iPhone

[pagansoul]

I would think that over the first year or so it would only be software adjustments that do not need an physical phone update. That's the beauty of having a phone that is a computer and not a standard phone. Hardware updates won't happen unless something is really wrong, like the battery blows up or melts. I really think the Revb phone will come a lot later due to hardware changes in the technology sector like larger flash drives, better res for the screens, thinner but more durable phones but all the first fixes will be in programing and we will simply be able to do the fixes via iTunes and downloads.

Connectiion problems would be an AT&T thing, they have to get their network together, not the phone. I think the volume was set too low because Apple doesn't want any problems with it being too high like the ipod complaints awhile back. It's a safety thing that can be worked out with software updates so the volume is in the owners hand but warning signals have to be in place. I think the first rev will be fine to own.

When it comes to cost, I think of it as a 8gb nano $200/wide screen $100/internet $150/phone $150 so I don't feel pinched buy the purchase. The plans are a whole new can of worms and I don't know what they are yet so can't comment on them.

 

[0098386]

The only reason why i'm glad that it is not getting released in the UK for a couple more months. Will be refined over that period and we will end up with a better iPhone on release.

This is why I don't mind the UK being late on major game releases. We had an imported Tony Hawks 1 on the PS1 and was as buggy as anything, then out came the UK version and was fine.
Also the reason why I don't buy Rev A machines

 

[fluidinclusion]

If you're dumb enough to put a $500

Wonder how it will stand up against the torrent of abuse that it will receive in my pocket complete with my keys and coins.

If you're dumb enough to put a $500 piece of electronics in your pocket with keys & coins, you DESERVE the damage. I wouldn't put $500 in my pocket, unless it's in my wallet for fear of losing it. Put the iPhone in its own wallet (protective carrier). If you can afford the phone, you can afford a condom for the phone.

If not, put your keys and coins in a different pocket!!!

 

[TheNumberOneFan]

so when I drop my phone in the ocean, i'll be glad to know that plenty of people have done it before me...

 

[xUKHCx]

If you're dumb enough to put a $500 piece of electronics in your pocket with keys & coins, you DESERVE the damage. I wouldn't put $500 in my pocket, unless it's in my wallet for fear of losing it. Put the iPhone in its own wallet (protective carrier). If you can afford the phone, you can afford a condom for the phone.

If not, put your keys and coins in a different pocket!!!

Wow, someone needs to chill a bit.

My current phone the K800 has stood up to a year of being jangled around with my keys and coins and the screen is in near perfect condition. After all phones are kept in pockets and so are keys and coins.

With my K800 at first I kept them in separate pockets but it is easy to forget, but now i don't even bother keeping them apart. I hope the iPhone can take similar abuse because a lot of people will be complaining if it scratches too easily. That was the point I was aiming at, as the report didn't mention about keys in the pocket test, however it is a rather obvious test so I hope it was conducted. After all we don't want to see lots of threads on here about how their iPhones were scratched.

 

[wongulous]

Yawn. This is old news. Another post for MR, though.

 

[fluidinclusion]

Keys

Wow, someone needs to chill a bit.

My current phone the K800 has stood up to a year of being jangled around with my keys and coins and the screen is in near perfect condition. After all phones are kept in pockets and so are keys and coins.

With my K800 at first I kept them in separate pockets but it is easy to forget, but now i don't even bother keeping them apart. I hope the iPhone can take similar abuse because a lot of people will be complaining if it scratches too easily. That was the point I was aiming at, as the report didn't mention about keys in the pocket test, however it is a rather obvious test so I hope it was conducted. After all we don't want to see lots of threads on here about how their iPhones were scratched.

Well, keys themselves (and coins) should not scratch the iPhone because the metal keys are much softer than glass. The key ring or if someone has a quartz key ring pendant or something might be able to scratch it. The plastic of the iPhone however will scratch and impact.


I just don't get why someone is so eager to be so careless about putting something you paid so much for in a pocket of crap that could wreck it. I guess I just take better care of stuff (cars, computers, books, whatever).

Perhaps I should try the hammer test. I'm a geologist and always have a rock hammer and hydrochloric acid. I'll be mad if Apple didn't design this delicate piece of equipment to resist my bad habits. ((I actually do carry HCl around in my pocket when I'm in the field))

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

I don't want to wait. Is there a downside to buying rev A, knowing i'll replace it if a better Rev B appears?

--I've always been able to sell prior-gen iPods online, is there anything that will keep the iPhone from being an attractive sale item? i mean, isn't it likely someone who buys one could take it to a store for activation?

--What are ATTs usual policies for upgrading phones? Do you just extend the contract 24 mos from the new purchase? they wouldn't charge you a cancellation fee if you're doing that, would they?

First of all, Apples rev A. models of more or less everything is far from perfect (read sarcasm). Secondly, this is Apples first cellphone. The cellphone market is extremely competitive. I think Apple needs to introduce a seriously revamped phone in europe, because the hardware as it looks today is basically that of a two year old premium phone here. The only thing Apple has going for themselves is the UI. period.
Dont confuse the iPhone with the iPod. The iPod was revolutionary 5Gb HD, UI, design... The iPhone has the potential to become revolutionary, but we are not there just yet. Not by far...

 

[Pyrix]

Perhaps I should try the hammer test. I'm a geologist and always have a rock hammer and hydrochloric acid. I'll be mad if Apple didn't design this delicate piece of equipment to resist my bad habits. ((I actually do carry HCl around in my pocket when I'm in the field))

Wait for it.......

HAMMER TIME!!

Da na na na, na na, na na... can't touch this. Na na na na na na na.

 

[Thomas2006]

The real test will be when thousands of users begin to abuse it in 6 days. I guess we will know for sure within a month or so

Isn't there usually somebody that drives a vehicle over Apple's devices (iPod mini, iPod nana, iPod shuffle) or drops them out the window while going 60m.p.h.?

 

[xUKHCx]

Well, keys themselves (and coins) should not scratch the iPhone because the metal keys are much softer than glass. The key ring or if someone has a quartz key ring pendant or something might be able to scratch it. The plastic of the iPhone however will scratch and impact.


I just don't get why someone is so eager to be so careless about putting something you paid so much for in a pocket of crap that could wreck it. I guess I just take better care of stuff (cars, computers, books, whatever).

Not eager just saying that at some point it will happen, especially with the large amount of people that will own them from the 29th onwards. I take good care of my things, but some items have to take abuse, phones are definitely one of these items. I was pointing out that the article doesn't say anything about such tests.

 

[SiliconAddict]

According to the article, Thandu feels comfortable that the iPhone is ready for launch.

I'm glad they are. I'm very dubious about how this thing is going to stand up to day in day out abuse. I REALLY wish Apple created the equivalent of a store front \ concession stand slider for the iPhone. That slides over the screen to protect it. Yes it would add bulk to the device but bulk vs. a shattered or scratched screen is a no brainer IMHO.

 

[Dr.Gargoyle]

Isn't there usually somebody that drives a vehicle over Apple's devices (iPod mini, iPod nana, iPod shuffle) or drops them out the window while going 60m.p.h.?

The fraction of morons in this planet seem to be constant, so I guess we will see these people turn up in the statistics as well.
Still, Apple and Rev A. normally makes the ingredients to a horror story.

 

[SiliconAddict]

Isn't there usually somebody that drives a vehicle over Apple's devices (iPod mini, iPod nana, iPod shuffle) or drops them out the window while going 60m.p.h.?

That would be arstechnica. http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/nano.ars/3

Those dudes LOVE to beat the crap out of a defenseless iPod. What the heck did that iPod ever do to them? Poor thing.

 

[xUKHCx]

I'm glad they are. I'm very dubious about how this thing is going to stand up to day in day out abuse. I REALLY wish Apple created the equivalent of a store front \ concession stand slider for the iPhone. That slides over the screen to protect it. Yes it would add bulk to the device but bulk vs. a shattered or scratched screen is a no brainer IMHO.

I would hate for it to have a screen/cover over the front of the device. Would really get in the way of actually using the phone. Would much prefer it to be made out of scratch proof material such as the sapphire crystal stuff they use for watches.

 

[iMichael72]

Users worried about durability can rest easier that testing included dousing the iPhone in water, dropping it onto concrete and bouncing it off sidewalks.

god forbid I drop it on concrete, but I would be shocked if nothing happened to it if I did.

 

[SiliconAddict]

I would hate for it to have a screen/cover over the front of the device. Would really get in the way of actually using the phone. Would much prefer it to be made out of scratch proof material such as the sapphire crystal stuff they use for watches.

In my fantasy the cover would roll up to the top of the screen, out of the way, where there would only be a metal edge exposed to pull it back down.

Like this:

Just smaller. The catch is that metal shade needs to roll away to somewhere. Also if it rolls to the back of the device it could cause interference with the radios along with the afore mentioned additional bulk it would cause.

 

[koobcamuk]

This is why I don't mind the UK being late on major game releases. We had an imported Tony Hawks 1 on the PS1 and was as buggy as anything, then out came the UK version and was fine.
Also the reason why I don't buy Rev A machines

Can be better, but I often prefer the Japanese versions of games anyway

 

[Much Ado]

Every phone manufacturer test their phones this way. This is nothing unique.

But up until this product, Apple weren't a phone manufacturer, and people were worried that they wouldn't have the right expertise and market awareness. This news shows that they're not being arrogant about the phone's success, and are taking all the necessary steps to make sure it 'just works'.

And so, as i say- so far, so good Apple.

 

[SiliconAddict]

But up until this product, Apple weren't a phone manufacturer, and people were worried that they wouldn't have the right expertise and market awareness. This news shows that they're not being arrogant about the phone's success, and are taking all the necessary steps to make sure it 'just works'.

And so, as i say- so far, so good Apple.

The issues with Apple products never come from basic use. You never see someone review a Mac product that has an issue with the backlight or overheating, or a bad logic board. 10 weeks and 200 people simply isn't enough of a stress test to get an idea of what kind of bugs they are going to run across. Esp if those 200 people have to be somewhat careful about where they use the device. My money is on they had to use it at home or someplace private. Else we would have seen more "iPhone in the wild" picts. Apple's secrecy has always been a hindrance to their ability to do solid QC.

IMHO considering that Apple has zero prior experience. I would say 8 months, 500 people, and no restriction on use (Be it location or how they use it.) would be a worthy test.
Also keep in mind that the testers are probably in awe of the iPhone for that 10 week period. They are probably handling it with kit gloves just like anyone with new toy syndrome. For me after 3 months with my MBP the newness wore off and I started treating it like any other laptop.

 

[yoman]

so when I drop my phone in the ocean, i'll be glad to know that plenty of people have done it before me...

It is a heartwarming feeling. Isn't it?

 

[p0intblank]

Good to know they believe it is ready for launch! But they're dropping it on concrete? Ouch... that's a blow to my heart.

 

[Much Ado]

IMHO considering that Apple has zero prior experience. I would say 8 months, 500 people, and no restriction on use (Be it location or how they use it.) would be a worthy test.

Is it honestly like that with other smart-phones? Granted they have experience, but this is a two year project, not a quick-out-of-the-blocks plastic device running something other than OS X.

Anyway, the proof, as they say, will be in the pudding. Let's hope its sweet and throughly apple.

 

[puckhead193]

At least they put it to the test by dropping it a few times. It looks fragile.

 

[penguy]

Right, but from the way I read it, I thought they meant 5GB was the total amount of bandwidth used among all the testers. That is, all 200 testers logged a total of "over 10,000 hours on the phone, including over 5,000 hours of voice calls and 5 gigabytes of data usage"

5GB sounds very good for a single user for an Internet-centric phone, but if it's for all 200 testers, it seems like not a whole lot.

-Zadillo

I agree for 200 testers it isn't much...but I feel that I am a pretty high user and my bill shows 80-100 mb/month. At EDGE rates, I would have to be on the internet virtually all day to get to 5 gb in a month!