Apple concretely addresses reception issue

[Alieno]

Live update via the press conference, Apple confirms what many Iphone 4 users have suspected:

The reception issue is concerning only a small number of users. Their raw numbers indicate that 1 half of 1 percent of iphone 4 users have actually called about a reception issue, and the actual return rate for the Iphone 4 is about 1/3rd of what the return rate was for the 3GS (1.7% of Iphone 4 users actually return the phone). Keep in mind, more than 3 million+ have been sold thus far.

This would jive from everything I've personally seen, with friends and co-workers who use the Iphone 4. None of us have problems, all of us are supremely happy with the product.

In other words, a couple angry & loud customers in a tiny minority are making the problem look much larger than it actually is, as we already suspected.

Apple has announced they will follow through with Consumer Report's remedy, and give out a free case to all Iphone 4 users. On top of that, the software fix 4.0.1 was released yesterday to better address how the reception is calculated

More to come!

 

[LoyalServant]

Live update via the press conference, Apple confirms what many Iphone 4 users have suspected:

The reception issue is concerning only a small number of users. Their raw numbers indicate that 1 half of 1 percent of iphone 4 users have actually called about a reception issue, and the actual return rate for the Iphone 4 is about 1/3rd of what the return rate was for the 3GS (1.7% of Iphone 4 users actually return the phone). Keep in mind, more than 3 million+ have been sold thus far.

This would jive from everything I've personally seen, with friends and co-workers who use the Iphone 4. None of us have problems, all of us are supremely happy with the product.

In other words, a couple angry & loud customers in a tiny minority are making the problem look much larger than it actually is, as we already suspected.

Apple has announced they will follow through with Consumer Report's remedy, and give out a free case to all Iphone 4 users. On top of that, the software fix 4.0.1 was released yesterday to better address how the reception is calculated

More to come!

LOL iSheep.
He blamed everyone else for their problem for the first 30 minutes of his speech.
The 'shortage' of bumper cases?
LOL people don't want a case to fix a flaw!

I am sure the fanboys like you will spin this any way you want.
I don't have a case, and I don't need one to make a call.
Beat that.

 

[Alieno]

Apple demonstrated all the signal bars dropping when holding the Blackberry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II the exact same way.

In other words, signal drop is not unique to the Iphone 4 when holding it.

A more pressing issue will be, how will Consumer Reports change their review now that Apple has decided to hand out free cases (a remedy that CR said would be sufficient to fix the Iphone 4, which they described as "the best on the market"?

 

[ballisticn8]

they're giving out a free case to people, what about the ones who shelled out the $30 for the case already?

 

[LoyalServant]

they're giving out a free case to people, what about the ones who shelled out the $30 for the case already?

Refund.
But there was a shortage of cases..... wonder how they got them.
I was in the AT&T store last week and saw plenty of cases so I know that case shortage is Steve Jobs spin doctor BS.

LOL I cannot get of this 'case shortage is why people did not buy one when they bought the phone' crap.

 

[momoceio]

Apple demonstrated all the signal bars dropping when holding the Blackberry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II the exact same way.

Sorry...any testing done by Apple on competitors devices is pointless.

 

[Alieno]

I am sure the fanboys like you will spin this any way you want.
I don't have a case, and I don't need one to make a call.
Beat that.

I don't need a case to make a call either, and neither do my friends or co-workers who have zero problems with their phone.

Apple released the raw numbers today, it's difficult to make a case against them.

1. Less than 1 half of 1 percent of Iphone 4 users have called about a reception issue.
2. The return rate for the Iphone 4 is 1.7% (or about 1/3rd less than what the return rate for the 3GS was).

I have suspected that the 'reception issues' were affecting a small tiny amount of Iphone 4 users, and that it was being blown way out of proportion by those who aren't satisfied and go running to the media and technology blogs.

Remember, the Iphone 4 has been extremely hyped since it was announced, it's sold over 3 million units, is continually sold out non-stop and Consumer Reports rated it as the 'best smartphone on the market'.

That being said, Apple did right by apologizing for the half-assed PR response they gave on July 2nd, and they're trying to satisfy that tiny number of people with reception issues by giving out a free case to all Iphone 4 users (though people like myself don't need a case anyway, it'll be a nice free gift)

 

[-Ollie-]

Live from Apple's iPhone 4 press conference -- Engadget

 

[LoyalServant]

I don't need a case to make a call either, and neither do my friends or co-workers who have zero problems with their phone.

Tell that to my friends when I can't talk to them or give them my phone to make a call they could otherwise make on their old iPhones.

BTW, why are you here?
Your like the Android Forums Apple shill or something right?

Too much Steve cool-aid?

 

[Alieno]

BTW, why are you here?
Your like the Android Forums Apple shill or something right?

Too much Steve cool-aid?

The only Apple product I own is the Iphone 4 (and my old phone, 3G). I've never owned an Ipad, Ipod, or Imac and I don't ever plan on it, because I just don't like them. I prefer PC 100%. But I do like their phones that's all.

This is an open and public forum, I've corresponded with a moderator here over the past few days to ensure that I don't break any rules.

I created this thread in The Lounge so that we could discuss the latest developments with "Antennagate" (as Apple dubbed it). I would like it to remain on that topic and not degrade into thinly veiled personal insults or anything like that.

 

[Inno]

Love how it's gone from "no, there's no issue - just hold it like this" to "well... you might need a case" to "HERE!!! FREE CASES FOR ALL!!! Look at how other people's stuff does it too"

Apple spin, the finest in the world. Fair play to them for refunding people that have bought cases. Hope they bought receipts!

 

[ballisticn8]

Apple released the raw numbers today, it's difficult to make a case against them.

1. Less than 1 half of 1 percent of Iphone 4 users have called about a reception issue.

2. The return rate for the Iphone 4 is 1.7% (or about 1/3rd less than what the return rate for the 3GS was).

I have suspected that the 'reception issues' were affecting a small tiny amount of Iphone 4 users, and that it was being blown way out of proportion by those who aren't satisfied and go running to the media and technology blogs.

Remember, the Iphone 4 has been extremely hyped since it was announced, it's sold over 3 million units, is continually sold out non-stop and Consumer Reports rated it as the 'best smartphone on the market'.

That being said, Apple did right by apologizing for the half-assed PR response they gave on July 2nd, and they're trying to satisfy that tiny number of people with reception issues by giving out a free case to all Iphone 4 users (though people like myself don't need a case anyway, it'll be a nice free gift)

A couple of points I have to make regarding your post:

Its not really that hard to argue against a company touting its own tests on its own product when an Dependant company bought three brand new phones from three different places and all three had problems, yup, I'll take Darth Jobs word over consumer reports. What does consumer reports have to gain by saying the Iphone is a great piece of hardware but the antenna makes the phone practically unusable?

Less than 1 half percent have called in huh, hmm, could that maybe be explained by they cant make a call because they are "holding the phone the wrong way?"

The return rate is low because its the iphone, he could churn out a brick of dog poop with an apple symbol on it and people would buy it. why, because its got the 3g's and the wifi's and its also got apps...

Its awesome that on one hand you want to completely disregard what consumer reports actually had to say about the iphone and its antenna but then you quote them saying the iphone is the best smart phone on the market, lmao, really dude? by your own admission consumer reports is not to be trusted so why tout off that they rated the iphone the best smart phone on the market when in reality they gave the phone a not recommended rating due to the signal issues. Double standard, hypocrite even...

Oh yes, they're giving out this free case, this bumper case that was designed specifically to address the signal issue and then sold for $30 each even though its whole existence was proof that apple new about the issue with the antenna, yup, now that they're caught they're going to give it away free, that makes everything a-okay!

I'm surprised you didn't drown in the apple kool aid you drank so much of it in...

 

[LoyalServant]

The only Apple product I own is the Iphone 4 (and my old phone, 3G). I've never owned an Ipad, Ipod, or Imac and I don't ever plan on it, because I just don't like them. I prefer PC 100%. But I do like their phones that's all.

This is an open and public forum, I've corresponded with a moderator here over the past few days to ensure that I don't break any rules.

I created this thread in The Lounge so that we could discuss the latest developments with "Antennagate" (as Apple dubbed it). I would like it to remain on that topic and not degrade into thinly veiled personal insults or anything like that.

See, the thing is I actually know a thing or two about antennas.
I saw the leaked photos and had many, many conversations with former colleagues about this antenna and we called it BS before the phone was released.
Then, Apple gets rid of their RF engineers. (which I used to do, BTW.)
They should have been canned simply because they designed a S--T antenna system.

So, tell me oh iUser how you can spin this to me that somehow convinces me that this was a good idea?

Know why nobody else has done it?
Because its a -BAD- idea, not because Apple thought it up first.

Some of us have been around more than 20 years, you know.
And some of us are not patently stupid.

 

[LoyalServant]

Oh yes, they're giving out this free case, this bumper case that was designed specifically to address the signal issue and then sold for $30 each even though its whole existence was proof that apple new about the issue with the antenna, yup, now that they're caught they're going to give it away free, that makes everything a-okay!

Wait. you forgot to mention that Steve said there was a 'shortage' of them

But, to make this more interesting.. I know some people in Apple.. and AT&T
And, SHOCK... Verizon.
I used to work in that industry so you meet people... nevertheless...

I placed a few calls here in the last half hour.
The Apple person I know works in an Apple store says they have plenty of cases, and have had since launch.
No shortage of cases.
So, why is Jobs saying there was a shortage and that's why people did not buy a case to start with?
SHOCK! reality distortion field!

AT&T, I was in the local store the other day and they had cases.... by the dozen.

SHOCK! no shortage that I can find?

More kool-aid anyone?

 

[byteware]

Live update via the press conference, Apple confirms what many Iphone 4 users have suspected:

The reception issue is concerning only a small number of users. Their raw numbers indicate that 1 half of 1 percent of iphone 4 users have actually called about a reception issue, and the actual return rate for the Iphone 4 is about 1/3rd of what the return rate was for the 3GS (1.7% of Iphone 4 users actually return the phone). Keep in mind, more than 3 million+ have been sold thus far.

This would jive from everything I've personally seen, with friends and co-workers who use the Iphone 4. None of us have problems, all of us are supremely happy with the product.

In other words, a couple angry & loud customers in a tiny minority are making the problem look much larger than it actually is, as we already suspected.

Apple has announced they will follow through with Consumer Report's remedy, and give out a free case to all Iphone 4 users. On top of that, the software fix 4.0.1 was released yesterday to better address how the reception is calculated

More to come!

Ok... I understand you are an Apple fan, but let's do some objective thinking here:

The reception problem is a HARDWARE DESIGN problem. This problem is there in EVERY iPhone 4.

Steve Jobs himself was notified about the problem during the DESIGN phase for the iPhone 4.

Apple removed the program (installed on nearly every phone... and installed on EVERY iPhone to date, except the iPhone 4) that measures signal strength.

Apple changed the way signal strength is displayed. If you drop to half strength, it will still display 5 bars.

Independent signal strength tests show that the iPhone 3GS attenuates under the same circumstances. The iPhone 3GS has 1/10 the Signal Attenuation of the iPhone 4.



Apple knew about the problem before the phone was put into production. Apple tried to hide the problem, but people who live in non-optimal signal areas dropped a lot of bars (because they weren't at full strength to begin with) and it became horribly noticeable.

Sources:

Steve Jobs Says Apple Knew About Antenna Grip Issue - BusinessWeek

http://www.anandtech.com/show/3794/the-iphone-4-review/2

Apple ‘knew about iPhone 4 antenna problems’ - Telegraph




This isn't being blown out of proportion... Steve Jobs is lying to you again.

Use a little bit of objective thought, and read those links.

 

[momoceio]

These numbers are quite a bit different than Apples...

Sign Here If You Think Apple Should Give Free Cases to Fix the iPhone 4's Problems

 

[stainlessray]

it has the wifi's

 

[evotitans]

After reading some of what Jobs said....I really feel that he is a pompous *** that truly believes his products are "magical" and that everyone should fall under his lead.

Maybe its the whole beating his illness thing, but man does he really think he is above everyone else?

I would never buy an iPhone just because of hearing the rants this guy puts on....."The iPhone 4 is magicall its sold 2+ million, but oh to those who have the antenna issue(which he knew about) here is a free case"

WTF....If that doesnt turn away customers, then people really are iSheep

 

[TheBrit]

I was speaking to an electronics and radio guru today (yes, he has a beard and his brain is the size of a planet) and he had not heard about the iPhone 4 problems (he's been on vacation and out of touch) so I asked him about the problems. "What problems?" he said.

I described to him the antenna arrangement and his immediate reaction was that it would cause problems when bridging the gap with a sweaty palm and cause the signal to seriously attenuate.

He explained what the reason was as to why it would happen but it went over my head.

Basically it comes down to bad design.

 

[Nodders]

After reading some of what Jobs said....I really feel that he is a pompous *** that truly believes his products are "magical" and that everyone should fall under his lead.

Maybe its the whole beating his illness thing, but man does he really think he is above everyone else?

I would never buy an iPhone just because of hearing the rants this guy puts on....."The iPhone 4 is magicall its sold 2+ million, but oh to those who have the antenna issue(which he knew about) here is a free case"

WTF....If that doesnt turn away customers, then people really are iSheep

Aye he did come across as pompous and not a little bitter to me. I think he's losing it a bit tbh.

 

[woofermazing]

FYI, when my roommate returned his iPhone (couldn't make a call being held in our house) they put "changed mind" on the RMA, even though he said he was returning because it would drop calls when held.

 

[Alieno]

What does consumer reports have to gain by saying the Iphone is a great piece of hardware but the antenna makes the phone practically unusable?

To be fair, that isn't even remotely close as to what the review actually said. CR confirmed a reception issue which the media and technology blogs were talking about. CR also confirmed a remedy for that reception issue (for small number of Iphone 4 users who are experiencing it) such as using a case. The phone is far far far from unusual, there is just signal loss. Any dropped calls/reception issues is statistically right on par with the issues received by previous Iphone models, and Apple confirmed this by showing the return rate of the Iphone 4 was one-third of what the return rate was for the 3GS.

As it turns out, the whole reception fiasco is affecting a very small number of Iphone 4 users, the overwhelming majority of us have experienced no problems whatsoever.

The return rate is low because its the iphone, he could churn out a brick of dog poop with an apple symbol on it and people would buy it. why, because its got the 3g's and the wifi's and its also got apps...

I disagree. I believe the return rate is extremely low because satisfaction with the Iphone 4 is off the charts and the overwhelming majority of it's users have zero problems. Apple's own figures seem to confirm this, and Consumer Reports rated the phone has the "best smartphone on the market".

Its awesome that on one hand you want to completely disregard what consumer reports actually had to say about the iphone and its antenna but then you quote them saying the iphone is the best smart phone on the market, lmao, really dude? by your own admission consumer reports is not to be trusted so why tout off that they rated the iphone the best smart phone on the market when in reality they gave the phone a not recommended rating due to the signal issues. Double standard, hypocrite even...

Consumer Reports merely confirmed the existence of a reception issue that some of the phones have, while simultaneously saying it was the "best smartphone on the market" and scoring it significantly higher than the Droid Evo. I've never said that there wasn't a reception issue, I said that I believed it affected a small number of users, and as we know now, that is in-fact the case.

Consumer Reports indicated that while they could not recommend the phone at this time due to the signal issue they found, I believe that will change completely now that Apple is offering a free bumper which CR also confirmed, alleviates the issue.

I'm surprised you didn't drown in the apple kool aid you drank so much of it in...

I would like this thread to remain on that topic and not degrade into thinly veiled personal insults or anything like that.

 

[SB13X]

The reception issue is concerning only a small number of users. Their raw numbers indicate that 1 half of 1 percent of iphone 4 users have actually called about a reception issue,

Firstly 1 half of 1% is surely 0.5% so wtf is that all about? The rest of the iPhone user base won't call about the reception issue because Steve was already aware of it and he promised a software fix for which they were willing to wait. Now that Apple have finally come out and admitted to BS'ing everyone and lieing through their teeth. Lets see just how many people get in touch to claim their free case and apply for a refund for the one they have already bought. The figure for that will more closely tally with the percentage of the userbase who actually have problems.

As with all marketing and press releases etc you have to read between the lines. You my friend come across naive at best and totally brain dead at worst, if you take the information Apple provide at face value.

 

[ballisticn8]

Consumer Reports Electronics Blog: Lab tests: Why Consumer Reports can't recommend the iPhone 4

Please do your reading before you tout what consumer reports says please...

unless that kool-aid stained and blocked out that portion of the printed press release you got from apple

Yup, best smartphone on the market with a review that says Why Consumer Reports can't recommend the iPhone 4. Maybe a little bit of rum in that kool aid too eh?

Why would consumer reports say that the issue didnt effect the iPhone 3gs, the Pre, etc and say that only the iPhone 4 was affected. Please tell me once again what this independent company has to gain by stating the iPhone 4 has an antenna flaw that should be fixed by Apple.

 

[Nodders]

I disagree. I believe the return rate is extremely low because satisfaction with the Iphone 4 is off the charts and the overwhelming majority of it's users have zero problems. Apple's own figures seem to confirm this, and Consumer Reports rated the phone has the "best smartphone on the market".

Or that people were waiting for Apple's actions. The sources you cite confirm absolutely nothing. Your arguments are incredibly disingenuous.