Got it. 
driftdriver ≠ Podperson
Posted on 07/08/2010 12:41:10 PM PDT by driftdiver
If you were hoping that the software update promised by Apple last Friday would include some special secret sauce that would prevent the new iPhone's reception from dipping when it's held the wrong way, prepare for disappointment.
Gizmodo, the iPhone-scooping tech blog that's become quite the thorn in Apple's side, says it has checked not once, not twice, but three times with the AppleCare support line, and each time the service reps said the same thing: holding the iPhone 4 in such a way that you're touching the outer steel band on the lower-left corner will indeed cause antenna interference, and the upcoming iPhone update won't do anything to change the situation.
The response isn't all that different from what Apple said in its open letter last Friday, in which it blamed the rash of complaints about the iPhone 4's "death grip" problem to a faulty reception display that's (supposedly) showing too many bars in weak signal areas.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
A new article on the non-existent antenna issue.
This reminds me of Archie Campbell playing the doctor on He Haw. When ever a patient would tell him that it hurt when they did something he’d tell them “then stop doing that”. If the phone doesn’t work when you hold it a certain way, then don’t hold it that way.
I’m a fan of technology in general, and I think the iPhone overall is a great phone, but I’ll never understand people who can’t admit that this is a major failure.
‘I’ll never understand people who can’t admit that this is a major failure.”
Good question, every product I’ve ever had was not perfect.
Hey! I bought this Apple(tm) Brand car and it steers more slowly to the right than the left, what do I do?
A: Don’t steer it to the right! Duh!
/apple fanboyism
Then why call it a nonexistent issue? It's a problem that Apple will no doubt solve shortly. Like most first and second generation (third, forth,... if you're Microsoft) products there are always a few bugs that need to be worked out. I can't figure out why the iPhiles want everyone to believe that Steve Jobs can walk on water.
Anybody heard of Bluetooth?
Nonsense!
A cell phone is supposed to be held in order to get used, and it's supposed to receive cell pone calls without dropping calls when you are in good reception areas. No cell phone should be dropping calls just because the user holds the phone in a certain way. It's a fundamental design flaw, and Apple should and will be sued for selling a defective product, then telling buyers to go buy some $29 rubber bumper to put around the phone to get it to work like it's supposed to in the first place.
New to these threads? I believe Driftdiver was using a little sarcasm.
Not new, but I don't keep up with who is on which side of the iDivide.
Why the heck should anyone have to buy Bluetooth before their cell phone works like it's supposed to in the first place?
oh man you are gonna get labeled a hater.
I agree with you though, I have heard there is a class action suit already started.
“Then why call it a nonexistent issue?”
Because I’ve been told its a FUD and a non-issue by some people who really really know apple.
Because driftdiver didn’t.
“Not new, but I don’t keep up with who is on which side of the iDivide. “
Just take a position and you’ll find out.
I don’t have an iphone 4, but anyone who would buy one and then not put it into some protective case is being very foolish. The glass could still shatter from a fall but you reduce the chances significantly. I broke my 3GS a couple of months ago. I now have my new one in an Otter case, if I break it while it is in this thing I will give up. That being said, Apple should just include the protective case.
The Bluetooth headset just screams, “DORK!!”
“Because driftdiver didn’t”
Nope, I don’t get pinged so I don’t return the favor.
Got it. driftdriver ≠ Podperson
> Because I’ve been told its a FUD and a non-issue by some people who really really know apple.
Really, driftdiver? I've seen discussion of how serious it is, high low and otherwise, and there's been plenty of misinformation spread around on all sides as we try to figure it out. But I don't recall any comment from anybody, Apple fan or not, that it was a "non-existent issue".
Granted, I haven't read every comment on every thread.
Care to give a link to one that says "it's a non-existent issue"?
Because IMO, whoever said that is mistaken. It's an issue, even Apple says that much. We can debate how serious it is, but not whether it exists.
podperson! I’ve been called a liar, hater, troll, and other things. but not a podperson. not sure how to take that one.
But then I'm geek....
That was a NOT equal sign. I hope I got that right.
“But I don’t recall any comment from anybody, Apple fan or not, that it was a “non-existent issue”. “
I do
“Granted, I haven’t read every comment on every thread.”
I haven’t either.
“Care to give a link to one that says “it’s a non-existent issue”?”
No
“Because IMO, whoever said that is mistaken. It’s an issue, even Apple says that much. We can debate how serious it is, but not whether it exists.”
I agree its an issue which is why I probably should have used my dripping sarcasm image when I posted that.
“That was a NOT equal sign. I hope I got that right.”
Well my family does own 3 ipods, although they are not currently used.
ok I did it
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2546252/posts?page=5#5
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2545716/posts?page=39#39
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2545162/posts?page=158#158
for starters
I wonder how many iPhone users will just blame ATT for dropping calls and poor signal issues when they hold their phone?
Looks like Apple is now giving ATT a bad name.
I believe you’ll need to go to the initial thread when this first hit FR to see the apple defense force spinning it as a non-issue. “All phones have issues when you pick them up” type responses.
And then jobs said don’t hold it that way in another thread...so they all backed down since their alpha dog told them this is an issue.
“And then jobs said don’t hold it that way in another thread...so they all backed down since their alpha dog told them this is an issu”
Look at the links I posted. Each of them indicate there is not an issue with the antenna. They do admit to an issue with the software for the bars but that its a perception problem and not a reception problem.
“Looks like Apple is now giving ATT a bad name.”
Yep, its even had a downward impact on ATT’s stock price. Its harder for AT&T to convince people they have a leading network when the news is full of problems their users are having.
More bad news for Apple:
Pending EU Law Could Force Apple to Allow Flash, Rivals to Sync With iTunes
Everyone is giving them a hard time these days.
You are right that it is a design weakness, but wrong that Apple should be sued over it. If you are unhappy with reception, take it back. If not, you accept it as it is. If you take it back, they give you your money back. Apple even agreed to waive the restocking fee. So, no damages, and the only reason for these suits is because the class action lawyers want a piece of Apple. That is the only reason. I hope Apple is able to get the case dismissed, because it should be, and I also hope it gets some Rule 11 sanctions in the process.
or ANY iPhone thread since to see that it is the end of the world as we know it.
Pass it on.
This is no surprise. Anyone with a hint of EE or RF background would tell you that you cannot cover an antenna problem with a software update.
This is simply a patch to show they’re “doing something” so that Apple can say it’s been addressed, and blame it on AT&T or the users being ‘too picky’. But the problem will not be solved at all.
If Apple was serious about solving the problem, they’d give the rubber bands out for free, to anyone with an iPhone 4 that wants one. Electrical isolation - long term, reliable isolation, not a thin coating that can wear off - is the ONLY solution. It’s why antennas since the very beginning have been insulated. Even the old, first generation analog Motorola bricks had rubber and plastic covered antennas.
Software isn’t gonna fix this at all.
Not sure I follow. I haven't seen anyone else post such hyperbole. Was that sarcasm and I missed it?
It’s a shame, but I guess the IT industry is reaping what it has sown. They teamed up against Microsoft and got government to do what they couldn’t do.
Now I guess turn around is fair play. Really is a shame though. I say make a better product and market it to consumers better to win. But the court has already ruled against Microsoft for doing that...so now I guess it’s apple’s turn and next up google I guess.
Quite sad really.
Just call it the new iPhone Vista.
I wonder if by “fixing” the software to make the signal look weaker is actually their way to do battle with ATT. If iPhones all show crappy signal all over the country they will complain to ATT to get more towers. More towers will help with the antenna issues that apple has.
If this is the case man...Apple is a dirty company. I’ll be interested to compare the software signal strength fix to a non-iPhone on ATT’s network. If it’s consistently lower when compared to other phones then this is exactly what they are doing.
From my experience as a customer of AT&T I don’t think complaints register much. I ended up having to go to the PUC and filing a complaint before they would even discuss the issue.
Thanks to dayglored for the heads up!
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
My experience while challenging at first as actually been great.
I came over from a small carrier when they were cingular and I had to keep calling until I got the president of cingular’s office and they agreed to give me free texting on both my phones. So for $100/month I get unlimited calls and texting on two phones ($70 for the first and $30 for the second).
I have also reported poor signal in areas around my town and they put up new towers. Maybe they just wanted my area to be solid for them, but I’m happy with them.
What's that suppossed to mean? Does this mean people without iPhones can talk about them? I guess if you didn't vote for Obama you have no right to complain about what he does then either.
What's that suppossed to mean? Does this mean people without iPhones can't talk about them? I guess if you didn't vote for Obama you have no right to complain about what he does then either.
"So does it exist... probably. Is it a major problem that is unique to the new iPhone4... I doubt it."
In the days that followed my comment, the same issue was demonstrated on multiple models of phones including Android, Motorola, LG, and Nokia phones.
Your link two is discussing the increase in AT&T dropped calls on all AT&T phones. It's irrelevant to the "Death Grip" issue and is in reference to adding almost five million new devices to an already overloaded network.
Link three: I stand by what I said in link three. The iPhone 4 does do a better job of receiving signals than the previous iPhones. The issue is one of perception.
>>>Looks like Apple is now giving ATT a bad name.
AT&T does that pretty well all by themselves.
This should be easily testable by comparing a patched and non-patched phone against one another.
Which otter box did you purchase, and are you happy with it? My daughter dropped her 3GS and had to get a new one, as both the top screen and bottom screen cracked, and it was in a protective case, just not an otterbox.
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