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Silverlink

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 10, 2010
34
1
Why does Apple position the speaker at the bottom? Did they not consider the fact that people cover the speaker while holding it in landscape mode? It's always baffled me but I guess playing r-type and having the sound muffled by 90%, triggered me into posting about this dumb ass design move.
 
Well, thats where the microphone is for obvious reasons. They had to put the speaker by the mic because thats what most people try to talk into on speaker phone
 
Well, thats where the microphone is for obvious reasons. They had to put the speaker by the mic because thats what most people try to talk into on speaker phone

What does speaker placement have to do with microphone placement?
 
there's probably a reason for it, I'm trying to find a phone with a speaker in a different place. I can't find one though. Would you rather it be on the back? wouldnt work.
 
There is simply not a better spot for the speaker. A lot of phones do the back. Good luck convincing apple to put a speaker in their glass back :rolleyes:
 
hmmmm, i get why they make it on the bottom (your cupped hand reflects the soundwaves and actually amplifies the sound), but i don't get why they switched the mic and the speaker on the 4, though.
 
hmmmm, i get why they make it on the bottom (your cupped hand reflects the soundwaves and actually amplifies the sound), but i don't get why they switched the mic and the speaker on the 4, though.
In iPhone 4: Less blockage of sound/speaker for right-handed people when using the phone in landscape mode (swiveling to the left motion)
 
You are right: Apple doesn't know what they are doing. It's only their 4th phone. Even iPods have it there: it would never work!

*Sarcasms himself away from this thread*
 
Why does Apple position the speaker at the bottom? Did they not consider the fact that people cover the speaker while holding it in landscape mode? It's always baffled me but I guess playing r-type and having the sound muffled by 90%, triggered me into posting about this dumb ass design move.

Thumbs on the black parts and index fingers on the back.. how does the cover the speakers? The only way for me to cover them is to hold it uncomfortably
 
Thumbs on the black parts and index fingers on the back.. how does the cover the speakers? The only way for me to cover them is to hold it uncomfortably

well, if you're used to the SuperNintendo Controller / Gameboy Advance'esque grip, as if the phone had shoulder buttons, i see how one could cover the speaker

Carlanga said:
In iPhone 4: Less blockage of sound/speaker for right-handed people when using the phone in landscape mode (swiveling to the left motion)

actually, i block neither, really, but i just don't get the 'amplifier' effect anymore :(
 
I love the new placement, I used to block the speaker all the time on my old iPhone!
 
Why does Apple position the speaker at the bottom? Did they not consider the fact that people cover the speaker while holding it in landscape mode? It's always baffled me but I guess playing r-type and having the sound muffled by 90%, triggered me into posting about this dumb ass design move.

I don't cover it in landscape mode. I find I have it covered half the time in regular mode, I think with my thumb or something.I can basically mute the entire sound with my thumb there.

I always said this was a bigger issue for me over the freaking grip of death.
 
For those of you who dont cover the speaker in landscape mode why does it matter what side its on? For a lot of right handed people putting the phone in landscape for a game covers the speaker on older phones. This happened with my 3GS constantly and was really annoying. Problem fixed with the iP4 tho!
 
I think the location is brilliant - I put the phone in a pouch upside-down and can still hear it clearly when getting a call....which is more important than covering it up with my hand. I sometimes had problems with phones with the speaker on the back if I put it speaker-side-down...
 
Why does Apple position the speaker at the bottom? Did they not consider the fact that people cover the speaker while holding it in landscape mode? It's always baffled me but I guess playing r-type and having the sound muffled by 90%, triggered me into posting about this dumb ass design move.

LOL - If you can come up with any part of the edge where you can put a speaker that wouldn't be covered during some use of the phone and wouldn't look retardedm, you get back to us.

Dumbass design move? Please. I think every part of the iPhone has been criticized in one way or another on here. This is just one of many very funny complaints.

Another "Don't hold it that way" thread bites the dust.
 
In iPhone 4: Less blockage of sound/speaker for right-handed people when using the phone in landscape mode (swiveling to the left motion)

That makes sense, but infuriates me. Apple, hating on left-handed people AGAIN! Remember, the Death Grip issue was first attributed to how left-handed people hold the phone? WTF, Apple? I guess Jobs is right-handed and just hates left-handers! :rolleyes:

(Sorry, just had to get that sarcasm out...lol. But it does sound like a good theory, Carlanga).
 
well, contrary to portrait, there's 2 landscape modes (home button left / right, respectively), so i don't think there's a disadvantage to anyone really.

The only difference between the 2 modes could be the positioning of the headphone jack, but when you're using headphones, you don't care about covering the speaker.
 
Actually, they put the speaker there on purpose. On the previous iPhones the speaker and mic were swapped.

This time around they put the speaker in the left side of the phone so that when you hold it home button to the left, the speaker is on the top.

Most games that play in landscape are played home button to the left. That way you won't cover up the speaker with your hand. I

remember this problem would really frustrate me on the 3GS.
 
Seriously? You're gonna cry over where the speaker is? What a crybaby. Where do you want it? Cause I can't think of any better place for it. Also how fat are your hands that you're blocking the speaker? My hands are huge and they don't block it.

OP pls go.:D
 
You are right: Apple doesn't know what they are doing. It's only their 4th phone. Even iPods have it there: it would never work!

*Sarcasms himself away from this thread*

HAHAHAHA this post made me laugh.


so it's a flaw, why not put the speaker on the back. oops, your hand goes there when holding the phone or when you put your phone on a table it's blocked.
so you put it on one side, oops, your hand is there. maybe the top of the phone is the best spot, but i'm sure it'll interfere with the proximity sensor or ear speaker or one of the cameras.

remember, they are trying to make a non bulky phone and keep it as small and thin as possible. they sacrifice something for other things.
 
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