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[fireside]

My cheap flip phone drops bars depending on where I hold it. I’m not going to defend Apple, perhaps the new design makes things worse for some people, but I bet these sort of problems are more common than we think.

 

[rac]

I can replicate it in my house but when I go outside on my deck I can't. The reception doesn't alter at all. What the hell is up with that?

 

[kaching]

I gotta say I'm a little shocked by the bluntness of the apple response. They're typically more cagey than that when there's a complaint or fault with one of their products.

That's the "WE JUST SOLD A MILLION OF THESE IN A DAY, BITCHES" euphoria talking.

 

[subrock]

Mine is running slow as shit, and it sometimes crashes. It's taking forever to open things that used to open in seconds, like text messages, and all I get in exchange is folders. Yeah. Fuck iOS4 on a 3G.

when it is doing a bunch of background stuff like downloading an email and receiving a text it grinds to an embarrassing halt for me. restoring from scratch and backing up helped a little but it is still on its knees in more situations than it used to be.

 

[Ollie Pooch]

Why don't you take it back to the store if your phone doesn't work, and demand your money back ?

I don't understand what's going on here. Surely if you purchase a product and it doesn't work, you take it back to the shop and get your money back, or a replacement ?

I guess it depends whre you got it - my mate here in Aus got his 3gs from an Optus store, walked out, found out it had a faulty screen and walked back in and was told he'd have to send it off to Apple and arrange all the repairs himself. Maybe if you get one from an Apple store it'd be easier to return.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Why don't you take it back to the store if your phone doesn't work, and demand your money back ?

I don't understand what's going on here. Surely if you purchase a product and it doesn't work, you take it back to the shop and get your money back, or a replacement ?

Well that's what I was asking, how does it work? Doesn't Apple have a restocking fee? How does breaking the renewed contract work? Will they restore my old iPhone for the remainder of the three weeks that the old contract is for?

 

[Burger]

I can replicate it in my house but when I go outside on my deck I can't. The reception doesn't alter at all. What the hell is up with that?

Sun spots dude.

 

[Rorschach]

It's unsubstantiated! Keep it all in one thread!

There's video proof? Video is doctored! Well, it doesn't happen on mine!

 

[Burger]

Well that's what I was asking, how does it work? Doesn't Apple have a restocking fee? How does breaking the renewed contract work? Will they restore my old iPhone for the remainder of the three weeks that the old contract is for?

Why are you asking us ?? You've got a phone righ... oh wait, I see.

 

[rac]

Sun spots dude.

My post wasn't a joke post.

Also I hope the fix isn't get a case. I really don't want one.

 

[Tobor]

Well that's what I was asking, how does it work? Doesn't Apple have a restocking fee? How does breaking the renewed contract work? Will they restore my old iPhone for the remainder of the three weeks that the old contract is for?

These are all excellent questions for an AT&T service rep.

 

[Dartastic]

when it is doing a bunch of background stuff like downloading an email and receiving a text it grinds to an embarrassing halt for me. restoring from scratch and backing up helped a little but it is still on its knees in more situations than it used to be.

It's pathetic, honestly. It used to run fine. I mean, sometimes it slowed down a little bit when I was using my iPod and trying to use facebook or get a text or something, but it wasn't nearly as bad as it is now. My phone literally crashed today while I was changing a track on my iPod with nothing else running, and I had to plug it into my computer to fix it. Sometimes even when nothing is happening it runs terribly. If I had any evidence to back it up I'd say that Apple was borking older phones with the new OS just so they're forced to buy new ones.

 

[LCfiner]

These are all excellent questions for an AT&T service rep.

Or steve jobs

 

[subrock]

I guess it depends whre you got it - my mate here in Aus got his 3gs from an Optus store, walked out, found out it had a faulty screen and walked back in and was told he'd have to send it off to Apple and arrange all the repairs himself. Maybe if you get one from an Apple store it'd be easier to return.

your friends needs to grow some stones and push over some magazine racks.

 

[mrkgoo]

i wonder if this flaw wasn't realized through in-house testing because of the 3G shell around the phone to disguise the phone's new body...

I would say the in-house testing would've been done without a case, but if it is how it appears, I would say that not ENOUGH people were privvy enough to be able to test.



While I admit that it's an issue and shouldn't have happened, I don't mind changing my habits to make things work. Yes, you might say I'm an apologist and only an Apple fanboy would say something like that, but I adapt to my use of things all the time. Perhaps it happens more with Apple products than others, but maybe that's because I have lots of Apple products. I did it with their mouse. I did it with their laptop. I did it with the iPad. I do it with console generations with controllers, I do it with software configuration.

Maybe we Steve has just given birth to the new round of 'side-talking'.

 

[arab]

Whoops?

 

[kaizoku]

I feel like Apple just pulled a Microsoft Xbox 360 move on me.

I love the phone, but this is a big deal. I can completely stop a page loading on 3G at will by holding the phone in my most normal position. That's out of order. I've taken to holding it even tighter than previous iphones too because I had my last one snatched out of my hands by some dick on a bike.

and I think the fact Apple have released bumpers for the first time that just happen to cover the antennae is indicative of the fact they knew about this problem and decided to go ahead with it anyway.

based on the nature of the problem, that response and their bumper-pre-emptiveness, I'm not convinced its a faulty batch, stronger signal or whatnot. There'll be some scientific explanation for how our bodies interfere with the antenna in such a way that sometimes it will trigger and sometimes not.

I'm definitely considering returning it and going back to a 3GS or switching over to Android though, going to use it in the wild and see how it goes.

But part of the Apple charm is that things just work the way I expect them to and if I can't use my super expensive iphone while I'm relaxing in my own house, thats plain wrong.

(I could use my 3GS just fine, and every other phone I've ever owned for that matter)

 

[Mr. Wonderful]

I can replicate it in my house but when I go outside on my deck I can't. The reception doesn't alter at all. What the hell is up with that?

Reception is stronger outside.

As long as Apple provides me with a fix, whether it be an exchange after QA goes up, or a software patch, if it really is software, I'll be happy. Until then, it's not bad enough for me that I won't survive.

 

[Marty Chinn]

These are all excellent questions for an AT&T service rep.

So now we should never ask questions about anything here because you can always call the official rep on everything. Gotcha.

 

[dorkimoe]

I agree with the disappointment in apples response. I mean i understand its something that happens to every phone, but telling people to hold it differently?


Iphone 4- It changes the way you hold a phone


Iphone 4s- hold it anyway you want.

 

[Keylime]

I feel like Apple just pulled a Microsoft Xbox 360 move on me.

I love the phone, but this is a big deal. I can completely stop a page loading on 3G at will by holding the phone in my most normal position. That's out of order. I've taken to holding it even tighter than previous iphones too because I had my last one snatched out of my hands by some dick on a bike.

and I think the fact Apple have released bumpers for the first time that just happen to cover the antennae is indicative of the fact they knew about this problem and decided to go ahead with it anyway.

based on the nature of the problem, that response and their bumper-pre-emptiveness, I'm not convinced its a faulty batch, stronger signal or whatnot. There'll be some scientific explanation for how our bodies interfere with the antenna in such a way that sometimes it will trigger and sometimes not.

I'm definitely considering returning it and going back to a 3GS or switching over to Android though, going to use it in the wild and see how it goes.

But part of the Apple charm is that things just work the way I expect them to and if I can't use my super expensive iphone while I'm relaxing in my own house, thats plain wrong.

(I could use my 3GS just fine, and every other phone I've ever owned for that matter)

Bring the phone back an get a new one. It's not a problem on all iPhone 4's.

 

[subrock]

I would say the in-house testing would've been done without a case, but if it is how it appears, I would say that not ENOUGH people were privvy enough to be able to test.

or if it is a manufacturing issue the test phones may have been produced before the factories were making a bajillion of them.

 

[Bboy AJ]

It would be nice if Apple gave a proper response instead of you're holding it wrong. Like I said in the other thread, it's the iPad wifi, 27" iMac yellow screen, Time Capsule imploding again. These things happen, look at Nexus One's 3G issues, Evo's screen loosening.

Just acknowledge it and say you're looking into it before immediately dismissing the problem as user error.

 

[KHarvey16]

Since when has a personal account on the problem been target for idiotic fan boy bullshit? I never implied that it is a non-issue and apple's "off the hook." my iPhone has simply not shown the same level of trouble as others and the pluses outweigh the minuses for me, you asshat.

/fuck you

You took the opposite meaning, I wasn't referring to you as posting hyperbole!

/only if you ask nice

 

[Marty Chinn]

Bring the phone back an get a new one. It's not a problem on all iPhone 4's.

Steve Jobs seems to say otherwise.

 

[arab]

You took the opposite meaning, I wasn't referring to you as posting hyperbole!

/only if you ask nice

I am so dumb

 

[Tobor]

So now we should never ask questions about anything here because you can always call the official rep on everything. Gotcha.

Oh come on, you expected someone here to know all that stuff?

 

[Marty Chinn]

It would be nice if Apple gave a proper response instead of you're holding it wrong. Like I said in the other thread, it's the iPad wifi, 27" iMac yellow screen, Time Capsule imploding again. These things happen, look at Nexus One's 3G issues, Evo's screen loosening.

Just acknowledge it and say you're looking into it before immediately dismissing the problem as user error.

Steve Jobs gave a more detailed response later on which has been confirmed to be legit by Apple:

Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.

He clearly says touching both sides in the lower corner will cause the problem. That implies its not a batch issue but on all phones.

 

[Blackhead]

on another note, Apple could now get away with putting 'improves cell and wifi reception!' on their bumper cases.

:lol

 

[Keylime]

Steve Jobs seems to say otherwise.

I own one and I don't have the problem. Gary posted a video showing he doesn't either. Others have said the same.

Try getting a new one if you see the issue...what's the harm in trying if you like the phone?

 

[Raistlin]

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/06/24/iphone-4-in-hand-signal-issue-isolated-to-bottom-left-corner/

one of the comments:

My 3GS must have had four left corners then.

:lol :lol :lol

Oh my god, I hope this response is real. Jobs is unbeatable.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/apple-responds-over-iphone-4-reception-issues-youre-holding-th/

:lol

Patient: "Hey doctor, it hurts when I do this" *shakes his arm*

Doctor: "Then stop doing it"

 

[mrkgoo]

I feel like Apple just pulled a Microsoft Xbox 360 move on me.

I love the phone, but this is a big deal. I can completely stop a page loading on 3G at will by holding the phone in my most normal position. That's out of order. I've taken to holding it even tighter than previous iphones too because I had my last one snatched out of my hands by some dick on a bike.

and I think the fact Apple have released bumpers for the first time that just happen to cover the antennae is indicative of the fact they knew about this problem and decided to go ahead with it anyway.

based on the nature of the problem, that response and their bumper-pre-emptiveness, I'm not convinced its a faulty batch, stronger signal or whatnot. There'll be some scientific explanation for how our bodies interfere with the antenna in such a way that sometimes it will trigger and sometimes not.

I'm definitely considering returning it and going back to a 3GS or switching over to Android though, going to use it in the wild and see how it goes.

But part of the Apple charm is that things just work the way I expect them to and if I can't use my super expensive iphone while I'm relaxing in my own house, thats plain wrong.

(I could use my 3GS just fine, and every other phone I've ever owned for that matter)

I agree.

Still, if it turns out to be a big issue for me, I may go bumper, or just learn to avoid holding it 'that' way.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Oh come on, you expected someone here to know all that stuff?

It's a forum, whenever anyone asks a question does someone know for sure that someone knows the answer? No, not always. Geez, someone just might know the answer, you know the purpose of the forum.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Wow, that's the response? Hahaha. Steve Jobs you cocksucker. :lol I hate this fucking guy with such a passion, but I buy his company's products.

 

[Tobor]

It's a forum, whenever anyone asks a question does someone know for sure that someone knows the answer? No, not always. Geez, someone just might know the answer, you know the purpose of the forum.

Well, no one answered you, so my suggestion was technically the most helpful.

 

[subrock]

that response is downright unacceptable, and I dont even own the fuckin thing. no doubt he typed that while on the phone bitching out his engineering department telling them to fix this shit before he hulks out of his turtleneck.

 

[MWS Natural]

Patient: doctor, I get a pain in my chest whenever I take a deep breath...
Doctor: dont take deep breaths.

My first iPhone thread...extremely entertaining so far. Apple fanboys really put the gaming side to shame :lol

Are people really going to make Apple richer by going out and buying bumpers for a poor design issues on their part??

 

[Raistlin]

in Soviet Russia, iphone fits you!

ummm ... you did that wrong :\

 

[kaizoku]

holy shit, what if this is the reason he screwed up on stage in his conference? :lol :lol jobs you're holding it wrong!!

 

[dallow_bg]

Guess it was a design problem eh Tobor?

Kinda sucks for all the people this does affect.
I had planned to buy a bumper anyway... but that doesn't excuse the problem.

 

[LCfiner]

holy shit, what if this is the reason he screwed up on stage in his conference? :lol :lol jobs you're holding it wrong!!

:lol

Awesome

 

[fireside]

I own one and I don't have the problem. Gary posted a video showing he doesn't either. Others have said the same.

Yeah, but should we believe you lowly forum peasants or the inventor of the friggin’ iPhone?

 

[Tobor]

Guess it was a design problem eh Tobor?

Kinda sucks for all the people this does affect.
I had planned to buy a bumper anyway... but that doesn't excuse the problem.

Looks that way. Luckily, as a true acolyte I was granted a working phone. All hail Jobs.

 

[subrock]

holy shit, what if this is the reason he screwed up on stage in his conference? :lol :lol jobs you're holding it wrong!!

except he was on wifi

 

[C.Dark.DN]

I feel like Apple just pulled a Microsoft Xbox 360 move on me.

I love the phone, but this is a big deal. I can completely stop a page loading on 3G at will by holding the phone in my most normal position. That's out of order. I've taken to holding it even tighter than previous iphones too because I had my last one snatched out of my hands by some dick on a bike.

and I think the fact Apple have released bumpers for the first time that just happen to cover the antennae is indicative of the fact they knew about this problem and decided to go ahead with it anyway.

based on the nature of the problem, that response and their bumper-pre-emptiveness, I'm not convinced its a faulty batch, stronger signal or whatnot. There'll be some scientific explanation for how our bodies interfere with the antenna in such a way that sometimes it will trigger and sometimes not.

I'm definitely considering returning it and going back to a 3GS or switching over to Android though, going to use it in the wild and see how it goes.

But part of the Apple charm is that things just work the way I expect them to and if I can't use my super expensive iphone while I'm relaxing in my own house, thats plain wrong.

(I could use my 3GS just fine, and every other phone I've ever owned for that matter)

If they did make the case for this reason... The case is a huge profit. 30$ for 20% of a normal case.

 

[Bluth]

Fuck Steve Jobs.

 

[JPBrowncoat]

except he was on wifi

I think it affects my wifi connection too. =/

 

[subrock]

I think it affects my wifi connection too. =/

maybe we should all set our notebooks on the floor.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

Who, though? Gary can't find fault, but who else is defending blindly? Looks to me like skepticism from people who actually have the phones trying to stop FUD and alarmism with rational conversation.

It's like mrkgoo said, to some of you these things are always black or white. I share KHarvey's frustration at how dumb this shit gets. A bunch of children calling others names.

dear leader himself said that the peasants are holding it wrong. the childishness comes from the very top of the mountain.

 

[Dragon]

I think it affects my wifi connection too. =/

It doesn't for me. I see the phone signal degrade but I can still surf the net just fine. Still annoying as fuck.