This.
I don't care if I show 1 bar or 5, as long as it works. Which it does, so...nothing to see here, move along.
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The Real Problem with the iPhone 4 is Yet To Be Addressed
- Thread starter kuaiyouming
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This.
I don't care if I show 1 bar or 5, as long as it works. Which it does, so...nothing to see here, move along.
Apple's biggest problem is Apple. Meaning - they claim (in the press release) transparency but they lack it. Lack TRUE transparency.
1. Jobs never answered (because he doesn't "remember") why the bar formula was adjusted a few years back. It certainly couldn't be because Apple wanted to make sure their bar reporting was equal to or better than their competition. And when that blew up with the iPhone 4 and a reception issue - suddenly it's because "oops - the carriers are actually not giving you as good of a signal"
Jobs paraded the all their expertise. 18 brilliant engineers. 100 Million Dollar testing facilities. But yet it took two phone generations and a reported reception issue to "discover" that there was a formula error.
The formula error is bunk. There was no error. It was deliberate.
2. Most other smart phone documentation includes a section (I just looked up all the HTC phones) where it says where and where not to touch in order to reduce RF interference and keep signal strength up.
If Apple had done this in their manual - again being transparent. Then even WITH an issue - they could point to ITS manual and OTHERS to show that it's indicated right there.
Fact is - they don't include it because they want their phones to be superior in any way and not admit anything that would make it look like there would/could be an issue.
VERY smart when things are rosey. But the second there's an issue - it just makes you look devious at best.
So again - Apple was Apple's worst enemy here...
my .02
1. Jobs never answered (because he doesn't "remember") why the bar formula was adjusted a few years back. It certainly couldn't be because Apple wanted to make sure their bar reporting was equal to or better than their competition. And when that blew up with the iPhone 4 and a reception issue - suddenly it's because "oops - the carriers are actually not giving you as good of a signal"
Jobs paraded the all their expertise. 18 brilliant engineers. 100 Million Dollar testing facilities. But yet it took two phone generations and a reported reception issue to "discover" that there was a formula error.
The formula error is bunk. There was no error. It was deliberate.
2. Most other smart phone documentation includes a section (I just looked up all the HTC phones) where it says where and where not to touch in order to reduce RF interference and keep signal strength up.
If Apple had done this in their manual - again being transparent. Then even WITH an issue - they could point to ITS manual and OTHERS to show that it's indicated right there.
Fact is - they don't include it because they want their phones to be superior in any way and not admit anything that would make it look like there would/could be an issue.
VERY smart when things are rosey. But the second there's an issue - it just makes you look devious at best.
So again - Apple was Apple's worst enemy here...
my .02
If the iPhone needed a manual that you were supposed to reference, THAT would have been a failure.
I think you missed the point.
The iPhone HAS a manual. So the failure is yours... My point is that they should have included it in there - so to help assist their "case" at the press conference..
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPhone_iOS4_User_Guide.pdf
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iPhone_4_Important_Product_Information_Guide.pdf
I personally do not have any issues, and I don't live in an area known for above average 3G coverage, in fact, my ip4 gets better reception than my 3GS.
That being said, I do believe many do have real issues and I feel for them.
But I look at it this way. If you buy a top of the line sports car, let's just pick one, a Ferrari, you're buying it for the speed and handling, when you drive it you may discover it's so unusually low to the ground, you need to be careful and really think about avoiding pot holes, speed bumps, etc. But you keep the car, even though you could get a still fast sports car that's not quite as fragile in this regard, because the Ferrari is so appealing to you in other ways, and every car has it's strengths and weaknesses.
The iPhone is a Ferrari of smartphones, it has a ton of power and features that are incredible. If you can tolerate mediocre reception in certain circumstances, you have a terrific phone.
I know the reception for some isn't even mediocre, but for many, myself included, it's actually very good, so on average I'm calling it mediocre.
I think it's this reason people with issues are so upset, if the phone wasn't incredible, they'd just get something else, but they love the phone and don't want a different one, so they feel stuck and in a sense forced to endure poor reception.
But I say, if you're one of these people, and a case solves the problem, (it seems to for most) is it really that bad? Similarly if Ferrari makes their suspensions lower than normal so that you have to tolerate the fragility that affords you exceptional handling, is it a tradeoff you're ok with?
That being said, I do believe many do have real issues and I feel for them.
But I look at it this way. If you buy a top of the line sports car, let's just pick one, a Ferrari, you're buying it for the speed and handling, when you drive it you may discover it's so unusually low to the ground, you need to be careful and really think about avoiding pot holes, speed bumps, etc. But you keep the car, even though you could get a still fast sports car that's not quite as fragile in this regard, because the Ferrari is so appealing to you in other ways, and every car has it's strengths and weaknesses.
The iPhone is a Ferrari of smartphones, it has a ton of power and features that are incredible. If you can tolerate mediocre reception in certain circumstances, you have a terrific phone.
I know the reception for some isn't even mediocre, but for many, myself included, it's actually very good, so on average I'm calling it mediocre.
I think it's this reason people with issues are so upset, if the phone wasn't incredible, they'd just get something else, but they love the phone and don't want a different one, so they feel stuck and in a sense forced to endure poor reception.
But I say, if you're one of these people, and a case solves the problem, (it seems to for most) is it really that bad? Similarly if Ferrari makes their suspensions lower than normal so that you have to tolerate the fragility that affords you exceptional handling, is it a tradeoff you're ok with?
Well said. The good (for me) outweighs the "bad." Not that I ignore the "bad." And that it doesn't exist. But that's not ENOUGH to make me want to use anything else.
So many people on these forums want people to throw the baby out with the bathwater. "Just return it" and they don't understand that if people are lodging a complain that it doesn't mean they hate the phone or have any desire to return it. "So why complain?" As a consumer and on a forum, one has every right to do so. And trying to shut people up just because you don't agree with them is not only futile - but shows a lack of respect, compassion and maturity.
Let me start by saying that I have had the 3G, 3Gs and 4. I am lefthanded and hold the phone as I would naturally.
I hope that they don't "fix" this issue. I'll explain.
I haven't had any dropped calls where I usually would. I think it's a combination of the phone and increased quality from AT&T. This is the best phone yet, and that includes data and voice. I have placed my hand on the "affected" area and have seen no difference both with and without a bumper.
If Apple redesigns the antenna because some people are hellbent on putting their phone in a death grip and testing in non-normal situations, they will be caving to the dumbing down society to help a select few. By compromising the design they could be ruining the current design and performance that I have been enjoying. I know this comes off harsh, but I am sick of society having to always cave to the lowest common denominator. If this "issue" consumes you, don't buy, return, or replace your iPhone4. You won't suffer a penalty and I won't have to listen to the constant whining. Everyone that I know who has this phone (7 or 8 people) doesn't suffer from this issue.
I hope that they don't "fix" this issue. I'll explain.
I haven't had any dropped calls where I usually would. I think it's a combination of the phone and increased quality from AT&T. This is the best phone yet, and that includes data and voice. I have placed my hand on the "affected" area and have seen no difference both with and without a bumper.
If Apple redesigns the antenna because some people are hellbent on putting their phone in a death grip and testing in non-normal situations, they will be caving to the dumbing down society to help a select few. By compromising the design they could be ruining the current design and performance that I have been enjoying. I know this comes off harsh, but I am sick of society having to always cave to the lowest common denominator. If this "issue" consumes you, don't buy, return, or replace your iPhone4. You won't suffer a penalty and I won't have to listen to the constant whining. Everyone that I know who has this phone (7 or 8 people) doesn't suffer from this issue.
Devil's advocate
Wouldn't you say that Apple's whole company is built on designing FOR the lowest common denominator? I'm not saying they have inferior products AT ALL. What I'm saying is - their whole company puts out products that "just work" and require little to no "training." How is that NOT pandering to the lowest common denominator.
PS - if you don't want to listen to the whining - don't click into the threads. People have a choice to return their phones. People also have a choice on what they read.
My .02
You make a very good point. As you can see, I don't post frequently. But I read a wide variety tech sites constantly. I don't make it a point to incessantly brag about how wonderful my phone is, so I am tired of tech blogs constantly complaining about a negligible issue. For those of you having real issues, I feel your pain. Apple combines a combination of design and function that should hardly be compared to LCD though.
"designing FOR the lowest common denominator"
Nothing could be further from the facts and truth.
Award winning and consistently innovative and bold designs. Priced higher than most other products so not as available accessible to the lowest common denominators as you so gallantly call these folks. Incorporated into all the designs is function, they work, simple and easily. No easy task on any level of development.
Apple designs products so anyone can use them. Perhaps you're not schooled in what the phrase lowest common denominator really means. Or perhaps you're thinking that has to be a negative.
But I'd expect nothing else from you Atomic. You're nothing if not consistent!
Are you sure of this? The bars relate to attenuation of the signal in decibels. I am not sure how the iP4 measurement is done, but in my field attenuation measurements are based on peak-to-peak amplitude reductions in an averaged signal, not information regarding variability and noise (and therefore not SNR). If the bars are based on SNR, then I stand corrected. If not, then my comment might still apply....
not really true...mine drops the signal display when I toch the "spot" yet I have crystal clear calls and speedy data...
Actually now that I read a bit more I'm not so sure. Anandtech's review of the iPhone 4 seems to suggest the bars directly relate to the raw signal power measure. It was my understanding that the bars measure signal above a noise floor but I may be mistaken.
I wonder if it's because of an inability to make/keep a call to AT&T's call center that they report such low rate of signal issues
Thanks for pointing that out: the Anandtech article used dBm (a measurement that does not include information about noise) to measure signal strength. Hmmm... certainly it seems to me that some sort of measurement taking into account the SNR should be used to calculate bars. However, just because Anandtech used a display showing dBm, it doesn't necessarily mean that Apple uses dBm. It would be nice if Apple released a technical paper on phone reception and the bars display that was transparent. As if that would ever happen.
Here is scientific proof of the issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TclSVCPzEs&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TclSVCPzEs&feature=player_embedded
that skinny vid link doesn't PROVE s%#t. first) you can't see what is going on, second) a single example of anything provides no support let alone proof. Replication of large numbers provides evidence for or against. Steve, I thought, did very well to show us the numbers. 0.55% of iP4 owners have called APplecare about their problems. 1 in 1000. Is that proof of a serious design flaw? No. Is it strong support? No. Is Macrumours a source for a random sampling of individuals? Hell no.
I took the time to call AppleCare that afternoon. His 'data' wasn't even remotely precise. Off the top of my head, many don't know about 1-800-MYIPHONE. Statistically, a fraction of those experiencing issues complain to the appropriate venue.
IOW, I wasn't part of either AppleCare or returned iPhone stats last Friday and now I'm a part of both.
Additionally, AT&T just released the dropped call figure. Jobs lied his ass off and told us it's an industry secret he can't disclose, BS. It didn't serve his interests.