Apple says you're doing it wrong!

[PoorManQ45]

In response to the issue of signal loss when holding the new iPhone 4 in your left hand Apple says this to a customer:

[krash]

LOL

[MinisterofDOOM]

I get the impression it's a manufacturing issue with specific phones (not every phone). Lots of people claim they aren't experiencing any loss of signal when holding the phone the "wrong way."

Still, that's a CRAPPY answer to give people who waited in line to hand over hundreds of dollars to you.

But there are two lessons to be learned here:

1: Early adoption sucks.
2: Apple doesn't field test their devices very thoroughly.

[krash]

2: Apple doesn't field test their devices very thoroughly.

And the poor guinea pigs have no idea.....

[AppleBonker]

Agreeing with Chris (yet again). Those having the problems have been more vocal, but I believe most of the staff at Giz and Engadget have reported no problems with reception.

My bigger concern would be the number of people complaining of cracked glass already. The phone has only been out one day (though some got it delivered as early as four days ago) and I'm seeing many reports of shattered backs and a few busted screens. I guess more than any other phone, this might be one you should avoid dropping.

[PoorManQ45]

Agreeing with Chris (yet again). Those having the problems have been more vocal, but I believe most of the staff at Giz and Engadget have reported no problems with reception.

? Yesterday Engadget had an article saying that their own iPhones exhibited the same exact issue. They even posted a video on it.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah, but there's glass out there that can stand up to a few drops. The Dell Streak and its Gorilla Glass stood up to a ballpoint-pen beating with NO damage. Metal ball on glass screen. But the iphone can't even take a drop? Lots of websites are claiming the iPhone uses Gorilla Glass, too, but Apple doesn't use that name anywhere, and it sure doesn't seem to be taking a beating like GG should.

[infinitgkid]

"Just avoid holding it that way"



Idk. I haven't had that problem with my iPhone 4, and I even went out of my way to hold it in a way that would make it loose signal, and if anything it just lost one bar of signal. Not to mention, the way I was holding it would make you look like an idiot if I tried to make a phone call holding it that way.

But, last night on AOTS (Love that show!), I saw that people were complaining about the screen cracking on it's own and discoloration spots showing up on the screen.


I haven't had any issues with my phone (knock on wood), so maybe it's just a certain number. Like previous products released by Apple, it's best to wait for the second shipment or the second version.

[AppleBonker]

PMQ, you may be right. I just didn't remember perfectly. I saw this article this morning and I guess I didn't read it as thoroughly (since I'm not too interested in buying an iPhone 4). Here is the important part:

Mind you, this still seems like an assembly (rather than design) problem to us, since most of our editors haven't had any reception worries and we in fact saw improved performance on that front while conducting our review testing. Spencer himself has decided to buy the phone knowing full well about this potential limitation, and concludes on the note that "sometimes an antenna that's not great, but good enough, is good enough."

[MinisterofDOOM]

Supposedly, the yellowing/discoloration is a side-effect of the adhesive used in the screen. It should go away after the adhesive cures completely.

[AppleBonker]

But, last night on AOTS (Love that show!), I saw that people were complaining about the screen cracking on it's own and discoloration spots showing up on the screen

Easy fixes for both. Don't drop the phone. And most complaining about the discoloration noticed it went away after a day or two. It is being attributed to the adhesive used between the screen and the glass. They're supposedly shipping the phone so fast that it hasn't fully cured.

[AppleBonker]

MoD, I wish I knew why they didn't actually use gorilla glass. I'm sure it would've been a better option considering how much glass is on this phone. If I'm remembering correctly, one of the Giz editors has already cracked the back of his/her phone. I know I say don't drop the phone like that's the easy solution, but it would be nice to have a little durability in the case of an accident.

[RCA]

Cracking phones huh...

Well that's easy, use a case on is so you can't see the nice fancy glass Apple used on their phones...

See why that's stupid. I think Apple messed up on this one.

[MinisterofDOOM]

See why that's stupid. I think Apple messed up on this one.

To be fair, the rubber "bumper" that Apple already sells for the phone lets the glass show (but not the metal frame) while making sure it's not the first thing to hit the ground.

[dickie]

I'm sticking to my 3gs until the next version of the 4 comes out. There are just too many reasons not to buy it right now.

My brother got his, and apparently Best Buy's insurance program is a better deal than Apple's, although I can't confirm it yet. He seems pretty satisfied although he isn't the best at preserving a phone. My bet is he will have a new iPhone 4 within the first 30 days.

[ADDirishboy]

Huh, I've dropped my droid a few times and no cracks or anything. Idk what kind of glass is in here though.

I'm not surprised people are having problems with them. At the rate people buy those things, there's bound to be assembly problems.

[Jesda]

I fed my Blackberry to a shark. The shark pooped it out and it came out the other end looking better.

[RCA]

The amazing $0.001 DIY iPhone 4 Antenna fix!

http://9to5mac.com/the_amazing_fix?utm_ ... elligence)

[Alfador]

The amazing $0.001 DIY iPhone 4 Antenna fix!

http://9to5mac.com/the_amazing_fix?utm_ ... elligence)

Man I totally want to pay several hundred dollars for a device just so I can go all Sanford and Son on it.

[PoorManQ45]

The amazing $0.001 DIY iPhone 4 Antenna fix!

http://9to5mac.com/the_amazing_fix?utm_ ... elligence)

I have a feeling Apple Fanbois will trivialize the problem because the solution is so simple.

The problem is... Why is there a problem in the first place? Sometimes I wonder what companies actually do in their product testing.

[MinisterofDOOM]

The problem is... Why is there a problem in the first place? Sometimes I wonder what companies actually do in their product testing.

Exactly. This crap should have been caught long before the design was finalized for manufacturing. The fix is neither here nor there.
But the iPhone's not alone there. Lots of EVO owners are having issues with the touchscreen not working well when the frame isn't grounded (i.e. when NOT being held in the hand).

[PoorManQ45]

Honestly, that's weird about the Evo. A DC circuit has no need to be grounded as it's a closed loop...

[themadscientist]

So if you don't hold the phone, it works,,,,,,,,,Great!

The lemmings that line up like good littl automatons every time a company craps a new gadget deserve this.

[Jesda]

Evo's battery life is terrible. My brother bought one. As long as you remember to keep it charged in the car, at home, at work, etc then youre fine, but its so inconvenient. Cool device though.


Manufacturers keep farting out junk because carriers need to lock people in to new contracts before they see a shiny new device elsewhere.

[PoorManQ45]

Jesda, tell your brother to grab Overclock from the market. Set the phone to clock down alot when it is in sleep/standby. For some reason the factory software doesnt do that.

[BusyBadger]

The amazing $0.001 DIY iPhone 4 Antenna fix!

http://9to5mac.com/the_amazing_fix?utm_ ... elligence)

I have a feeling Apple Fanbois will trivialize the problem because the solution is so simple.

The problem is... Why is there a problem in the first place? Sometimes I wonder what companies actually do in their product testing.

I love the response of the rabid Apple fan that blamed it on Gizmodo and the leaked info thanks to the Apple drunkard at the bar.

The company, and even more, it's fans have strayed so far from the original direction of the company that they have become what they so long held in contempt. The company is an overly litigious, marketplace bully and the users tend to be elitist, close-minded and increasingly technologically inept.

[themadscientist]

You mean typical Americans?

[PoorManQ45]

You mean typical Americans?

Eh... Not really. It seems that there are a few groups that fall into that category.

Apple fans, Bose Fans, Monster Cable fans.

I never understood being a fanatic of a company. Most companies have a few good products, but that doesn't mean I'll only select them.

[Jesda]

Jesda, tell your brother to grab Overclock from the market. Set the phone to clock down alot when it is in sleep/standby. For some reason the factory software doesnt do that.

The reason is because HTC doesn't bother doing extensive testing. They pump it out and throw it over the wall -- the users then have to d!ck with it to get it right.

Root
Clock
Hack
Twist
Turn
Secret handshake
Do the hokey pokey


BAM! Now you've finally got a marginally functional telephone. F*cking gay. My phone isn't a hobby or a religion. Its a consumer good that I use to complete tasks.

[themadscientist]

QFT. I thought I was alone on that one. Damned straight!