Steve Jobs Claims Eris Has Antenna Problem Too LIVE

thenestor · Jul 16, 2010

Zervic119 said:
Therefore, shouldn't I, or any one else who has tried, be able to replicate the result where they lose all signal/bars like Apple has? I have not seen one person who has, yet.

You have to do it while you're on a phone call, because the 1x signal shows more bars than the 3G signal. When I'm on a phone call, and I'm holding my phone like a phone, I have 4 bars. When I hold the phone like a light saber, it drops to 2 bars. But like I said before, my phone is not a light saber, especially not while I'm on a phone call.

hallstevenson · Jul 16, 2010

Bswartz95 said:
Well, I must be a liar then because I can sit right here and MAKE my phone add 10 dBM (get more negative) by cupping my hands around the top & bottom of my phone.

You're not a liar. I've done the exact same thing with my ERIS. I suspect any phone with an internal antenna can be affected by how/where you hold it.

Zervic119 · Jul 16, 2010

thenestor said:
You have to do it while you're on a phone call, because the 1x signal shows more bars than the 3G signal. When I'm on a phone call, and I'm holding my phone like a phone, I have 4 bars. When I hold the phone like a light saber, it drops to 2 bars. But like I said before, my phone is not a light saber, especially not while I'm on a phone call.

I am only trying to replicate what Apple did in their video, which I have not. As far as I can tell, they did not do it during a phone call. Hearing that you lose 2 bars during a call gives a tad bit validity to Apples results, but it's still not a full 4-bar-drop like they had.

thenestor · Jul 16, 2010

Zervic119 said:
I am only trying to replicate what Apple did in their video, which I have not. As far as I can tell, they did not do it during a phone call. Hearing that you lose 2 bars during a call gives a tad bit validity to Apples results, but it's still not a full 4-bar-drop like they had.

Right, and I think the bigger point is that I have to hold it in a really uncomfortable way to drop all those dBm's, while with the iPhone 4, you just have to hold it like a phone.

willdogs · Jul 16, 2010

Two Questions need to be anewred by Apple

1. How did they get Full Bars while NOT in a call? I've never seen any Eris have 4 bars in just 3G mode. This is a longtime, well known, signal reporting bug.

2. How did they make the bars go from a full 4 bars, down to none, just by Holding it the way they did?

The only answer at this point, to me at least, is that their video is a fraud.

They could have easily set-up in this in their "$100 Mil" lab and throttled the signal strength remotely. Turn it way up before he holds it and turn it down when he holds it. Their own local "Test Verizon CDMA network" (or repeater) would explain how they got the 3G bars so high.

If Verizon/HTC complains about their "Test", Apple can always fallback on "The signals where we were can vary greatly from other area's" as they have been. They will clear themselves from a Lawsuit this way.

thenestor · Jul 16, 2010

willdogs said:
They could have easily set-up in this in their "$100 Mil" lab and throttled the signal strength remotely. Turn it way up before he holds it and turn it down when he holds it. Their own local "Test Verizon CDMA network" (or repeater) would explain how they got the 3G bars so high.

I bet they're running a custom ROM called "Make_Apple_Look_Good 1.0."

Zervic119 · Jul 16, 2010

thenestor said:
Right, and I think the bigger point is that I have to hold it in a really uncomfortable way to drop all those dBm's, while with the iPhone 4, you just have to hold it like a phone.

Yeah, I think that contributes a lot to why this issue on the iPhone 4 is much more severe than any other smartphone I have heard of.

SyDTRaKKeD · Jul 16, 2010

i tested my eris...

first held it exactly how it was in the video (the iPhone4 way):
-never affected my signal by more than 5dbm (usually less)
-i'm left handed and consistently hold my phone this way

covered the area shown in the picture:

-never changed my signal by more than 10dbm (usually less)
-I would never hold my phone in a way that covers this area of my eris

way to go Jobs... these demonstrations were merely made for the apple fanboys so they would have a way to defend their holier than thou iphone... too bad they'll only look foolish in doing so...

thenestor · Jul 16, 2010

SyDTRaKKeD said:
way to go Jobs... these demonstrations were merely made for the apple fanboys so they would have a way to defend their holier than thou iphone... too bad they'll only look foolish in doing so...

It's also funny that they chose one of the entry-level Android phones instead of the Nexus One, Incredible, new Droid X, or original Droid. I guess he's saying that the iPhone 4 is an entry-level, "free with a 2-year contract" kind of phone.

carmendiva · Jul 16, 2010

I just had to come here and see what the eris owners were saying

i am sorry but when i had my eris for like 4 months i never

1)Had a signal issue due to how i was holding it
2)Never had a dropped call except once or twice and
that's because i was in a basement at school

lol it's even sad...

We're going to compare a device that
1)has been out on the market for almost a year
2)Has had serious issues and complaints for the duration of almost a year
3)That lacks quite a few comparable features and traits
(AND THIS IS NOT A CRACK ON THE ERIS OWNERS)

to a phone that was released...2-3 weeks ago that was called revolutionary
by not only apple but several reviewers?

Next you're going to see them come up with some bs comparison between the iphone 4 and a kin device or a palm pre

Seriously...this was funny to read and especially reading on droidlife.com

doogald · Jul 16, 2010

thenestor said:
It's also funny that they chose one of the entry-level Android phones instead of the Nexus One, Incredible, new Droid X, or original Droid. I guess he's saying that the iPhone 4 is an entry-level, "free with a 2-year contract" kind of phone.

All of those, besides perhaps the Droid and Nexus, are highly constrained, while Erises are probably easy to get by raiding the dumpsters behind Verizon Wireless stores of all of the audio bug phones that Eris customers have returned.

I assume that they chose a Verizon phone with a fairly weak radio for a very strategic reason, vis-a-vis a comparison to an AT&T phone.

Perspective here, people. Apple has offered not only a free solution to the problem - a free case - but also offered to refund the purchase price for a full three months. What has Verizon Wireless and HTC offered to Eris owners with the silent audio bug? Another Eris, which may very well have the problem? Certainly not their money back. In fact, perhaps Apple should have researched these forums and reported the crap that Eris users have had to go through with the silent audio bug, never mind antenna attenuation when held in the wrong way.

I don't know more than a handful of people IRL with an iPhone 4, but all of them seem to report either no antenna problem, or noticed a minimal problem, but have reported that the 4 is much better at holding a call than a 3G or 3Gs, and have absolutely no interest in trading them in.

(I count myself as one of those lucky Eris users who never had the silent audio problem, very thankfully. I'd have hated to go through that crap. I'm also hoping, for everyone's sake, that the update coming out tonight fixes that bug once and for all.)

SyDTRaKKeD · Jul 16, 2010

doogald said:
All of those, besides perhaps the Droid and Nexus, are highly constrained, while Erises are probably easy to get by raiding the dumpsters behind Verizon Wireless stores of all of the audio bug phones that Eris customers have returned.

I assume that they chose a Verizon phone with a fairly weak radio for a very strategic reason, vis-a-vis a comparison to an AT&T phone.

Perspective here, people. Apple has offered not only a free solution to the problem - a free case - but also offered to refund the purchase price for a full three months. What has Verizon Wireless and HTC offered to Eris owners with the silent audio bug? Another Eris, which may very well have the problem? Certainly not their money back. In fact, perhaps Apple should have researched these forums and reported the crap that Eris users have had to go through with the silent audio bug, never mind antenna attenuation when held in the wrong way.

I don't know more than a handful of people IRL with an iPhone 4, but all of them seem to report either no antenna problem, or noticed a minimal problem, but have reported that the 4 is much better at holding a call than a 3G or 3Gs, and have absolutely no interest in trading them in.

(I count myself as one of those lucky Eris users who never had the silent audio problem, very thankfully. I'd have hated to go through that crap. I'm also hoping, for everyone's sake, that the update coming out tonight fixes that bug once and for all.)

i don't think anyone here is concerned about what Apple/At&t are doing about it now....
i think everyone here is just in shock/amazement (however you choose to describe it) that the eris of all phones was chosen to be compared to that "top of the line/revolutionary" piece of technology called the iPhone4...

bjf88 · Jul 16, 2010

In both of these photos i am holding my phone with as much contact on the sides and camera as i can manage... and there's the proof that i do in fact get 4 bars. Inside. With no tower in site. Ha!

Hiroshika · Jul 16, 2010

bjf88 said:
Someone needs to do a video reply to this YouTube - Antenna Attenuation iPhone 4 - HTC Droid Eris
showing what REALLY happens when the Eris is held like the Applehand held it. It must be magic! lol

They slowly turned the cellphone jammer up to high while playing the video.

SyDTRaKKeD · Jul 16, 2010

Hiroshika said:
They slowly turned the cellphone jammer up to high while playing the video.

i think the eris just didn't like the fact that someone from apple was feeling it up

bjf88 · Jul 16, 2010

doogald said:
All of those, besides perhaps the Droid and Nexus, are highly constrained, while Erises are probably easy to get by raiding the dumpsters behind Verizon Wireless stores of all of the audio bug phones that Eris customers have returned.

I assume that they chose a Verizon phone with a fairly weak radio for a very strategic reason, vis-a-vis a comparison to an AT&T phone.

Perspective here, people. Apple has offered not only a free solution to the problem - a free case - but also offered to refund the purchase price for a full three months. What has Verizon Wireless and HTC offered to Eris owners with the silent audio bug? Another Eris, which may very well have the problem? Certainly not their money back. In fact, perhaps Apple should have researched these forums and reported the crap that Eris users have had to go through with the silent audio bug, never mind antenna attenuation when held in the wrong way.
Last I heard, they were giving people refurbs, new phones, and even letting them upgrade because of these issues. Which, btw, don't seem to be near as wide spread as the iPhone 4's. Consumer reports was able to duplicate the issue in EVERY phone they tested. It's how it's designed, not some random thing like the silent bug. Verizon is working on getting a fix for it. I give them a lot of credit for all the MR's they've given us, plus a new OS upgrade.

I don't know more than a handful of people IRL with an iPhone 4, but all of them seem to report either no antenna problem, or noticed a minimal problem, but have reported that the 4 is much better at holding a call than a 3G or 3Gs, and have absolutely no interest in trading them in.

Because they're lucky enough to be in a "sweet spot" of reception. But others aren't so lucky...

(I count myself as one of those lucky Eris users who never had the silent audio problem, very thankfully. I'd have hated to go through that crap. I'm also hoping, for everyone's sake, that the update coming out tonight fixes that bug once and for all.)

Amen. I really feel bad for those on here who seem to be cursed. But I really don't think they're the majority.

Answers in RED

Hiroshika · Jul 16, 2010

jayochs said:
hmm, i just made this:

YouTube - Droid Eris Reception Test

Holding the phone that way makes it gain bars?! What now stevie?!

JrzDroid · Jul 17, 2010

Seeing as how jobs is comparing the "almighty" iPhone to the entry level Eris I think we should all write to htc and tell them to make an Eris2. Same basic design but specs to match the i4. Still sell it at $99 and barely market it.

SyDTRaKKeD · Jul 17, 2010

^^^ lol... i would actually love an updated eris!

im not so sure i like all these large phones... (i also haven't got to play with any yet either though)

im sure as soon as i get my hands on a droid x i'll change my mind...

breadnatty08 · Jul 17, 2010

Just wanted to check out the Eris owners' response to this. Funny stuff. I tried to hold my Droid (original) in every way possible and it barely changed more than 3-5 dBs. I even tried searching to find exactly where the antenna is but couldn't find any info.
For some more funny reading, check out RIM's response to bashing the Bold:
RIM co-CEOs pull no punches responding to Apple's antenna statements -- Engadget

mdeblaz · Jul 17, 2010

thenestor said:
You have to do it while you're on a phone call, because the 1x signal shows more bars than the 3G signal. When I'm on a phone call, and I'm holding my phone like a phone, I have 4 bars. When I hold the phone like a light saber, it drops to 2 bars. But like I said before, my phone is not a light saber, especially not while I'm on a phone call.

You're right that in 1x mode, the bars show correctly. However, good ole Stevey didn't present it that way, he showed the 3G signal bars, which is well known to show randomly.

So for their video, they likely did that for a LONG time until the random activity finally went from 4 to 0 and back to 4. Or they doctored it...

mdeblaz · Jul 17, 2010

Hmmm... maybe there is some truth to that video. If you notice, they're running 1.5 in the video - you can tell by the mail icon. As far as I know, there wasn't an issue with the signal bars in 1.5

Lagos · Jul 17, 2010

I found it really funny how they removed the weather widget from the screen and just had a few dull icons on it. I guess they didn't want people to know that Android phones have widgets!

Its good news that Steve called out the Eris. I think it brings some needed attention to our discontinued phone, and maybe will give HTC some incentive to release a few more OTA updates for us. Especially one that allows us to see the correct signal strength on v2.1 phones.

I think he is also correct that the Eris has a weak spot, however we never notice it because:
1. The antenna is located in a spot that actually makes sense to how you hold your phone.
2. Verizon has a much better network than AT&T and doesn't drop calls like they do.

gotweed · Jul 17, 2010

tat guy is such a douche

gotweed · Jul 17, 2010

SyDTRaKKeD said:
i don't think anyone here is concerned about what Apple/At&t are doing about it now....
i think everyone here is just in shock/amazement (however you choose to describe it) that the eris of all phones was chosen to be compared to that "top of the line/revolutionary" piece of technology called the iPhone4...

Well of course they got to pick the phone with the most problems and bugs on it right lmao

Steve Jobs Claims Eris Has Antenna Problem Too **LIVE**

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Steve Jobs Claims Eris Has Antenna Problem Too LIVE