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[andycapps]

I asked her if she needed my address. "Excuse me?" To send me a bumper. "If you want to order one..." No, you should send me one. "Umm...sir?"

That's when she said she'd transfer me. Right around when my call was appropriately dropped.

Well I'm not going to tell you what to do, but if it were me that would piss me off enough to be done with the phone. :lol That is extremely inconsiderate to say the least. You have every right to demand a free bumper, IMO. So you can either say screw it and get another phone or go back to your previous phone or hang in there for a few days and see what they do about this.

 

[KHarvey16]

If you omit the part where I say, "based on a series of assumptions you've made", that might have been accurate. In light of what I actually said, it's not.

I didn't say you dismissed D because you believed A. I said you dismissed D and believed A because you assumed B and C.

I haven't dismissed anything. I specifically mention that any judgments I make are based on the available information at the time and will almost certainly change when we learn more. That's the exact opposite of dismiss.

 

[SnakeswithLasers]

Well I'm not going to tell you what to do, but if it were me that would piss me off enough to be done with the phone. :lol That is extremely inconsiderate to say the least. You have every right to demand a free bumper, IMO. So you can either say screw it and get another phone or go back to your previous phone or hang in there for a few days and see what they do about this.

I'm calling them back now--on hold again. I'd still be fine with a free bumper at this point. My worry (that I may have to explore) is whether ATT will let me out of my contract if I have to just return the phone.

 

[taylor910]

what is steve's email?

 

[AstroLad]

I'm calling them back now--on hold again. I'd still be fine with a free bumper at this point. My worry (that I may have to explore) is whether ATT will let me out of my contract if I have to just return the phone.

Oh noes, but Carc! This is why I have an iTouch and a real phone and provider to complement it.

 

[andycapps]

I'm calling them back now--on hold again. I'd still be fine with a free bumper at this point. My worry (that I may have to explore) is whether ATT will let me out of my contract if I have to just return the phone.

I'd definitely make clear to them that you're taking it back if you don't get a free bumper, it's the principle of the matter.

Spoiler

Even if you haven't made that decision

I think all the carriers have that 30 day policy that if you're not happy with their phones that you can bring them back and get your money back, I'm guessing you signed a new 2 year contract?

Spoiler

Get an EVO if you take this back. Shameless pimpage of my phone. :lol

 

[Tobor]

You can hold it with your fingers and reproduce the problem. Waiting for a fix is a perfectly appropriate response right now. So is deciding that's its not a big enough deal for you personally. What is not cool, imo, is downplaying the problem like rubx did until he experienced it first hand, though I give him credit for honesty.

Well, no, I can't reproduce it with my fingers. I can reproduce it by gripping the phone unnaturally. So I'm leaning towards "This doesn't effect me". I'll take a free bumper, though, or at least a gift card for the one I already purchased.

@andycapps, yeah, because the Evo has no problems. /rolls eyes

 

[joeyjoejoeshabadoo]

We must have been watching the wrong keynote.

"One more thing...you'll need to buy this $30 piece of rubber to make your phone work."

 

[EviLore]

We really needed another thread for this?

You don't make that determination. And, 700 replies later, clearly we did.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=397195

try too keep it all in one thread.

No.

 

[arab]

what is steve's email?

sjobs@apple.com

 

[RedStep]

Just got off the phone.

40 minutes.

"The engineers are aware of it, and we hope to have some answers in a week or so. In the mean time, avoid holding it that way, or put it in a case."

Right.

I know it's only been two days, but this is a fuckup approaching X360 proportions. I can't even go back to my old 3G... So I'm stuck with a phone that doesn't work when I use it, from day one.

Just acknowledge the problem, and make it right. A free bumper should be a given, if it solves the problem.

 

[dark10x]

Just got off the phone.

40 minutes.

"The engineers are aware of it, and we hope to have some answers in a week or so. In the mean time, avoid holding it that way, or put it in a case."

Right.

I know it's only been two days, but this is a fuckup approaching X360 proportions. I can't even go back to my old 3G... So I'm stuck with a phone that doesn't work when I use it, from day one.

Just acknowledge the problem, and make it right. A free bumper should be a given, if it solves the problem.

You really can't use it? I find that hard to believe. Seems over dramatic to me.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

Just got off the phone.

40 minutes.

"The engineers are aware of it, and we hope to have some answers in a week or so. In the mean time, avoid holding it that way, or put it in a case."

Right.

I know it's only been two days, but this is a fuckup approaching X360 proportions. I can't even go back to my old 3G... So I'm stuck with a phone that doesn't work when I use it, from day one.

Just acknowledge the problem, and make it right. A free bumper should be a given, if it solves the problem.

rofl

its not like its unusable.

calm the eff down.

 

[Gallbaro]

Oh this is funny.

Serves people right for buying, no camping out, for a new product at launch.

This is very funny.

Spoiler

Stares at shitty Storm

 

[andycapps]

Well, no, I can't reproduce it with my fingers. I can reproduce it by gripping the phone unnaturally. So I'm leaning towards "This doesn't effect me". I'll take a free bumper, though, or at least a gift card for the one I already purchased.

@andycapps, yeah, because the Evo has no problems. /rolls eyes

That was a casual recommendation and I was mainly joking as I'm not intending to stir up anything in here. Regardless, "problems" with the EVO regarding software limit capping it to 30 FPS instead of 60 FPS is not going to make me drop calls. HTC/Sprint are in processing of putting out an OTA update to fix that, may be the one that's coming on Monday as well. I'll gladly take an issue that I don't even notice to one that's causing you guys to drop calls or reduce signal drastically because of how you hold the phone.

 

[SnakeswithLasers]

Oh noes, but Carc! This is why I have an iTouch and a real phone and provider to complement it.

:lol ya, I should have thought of that!

Just got off the phone with the product specialist or whatever. Basically he said the same thing as the guy right above me: "We're aware of the issue. Our engineers are working on it; in the meantime, use your headset! =)"

So, that's what I'll do. I got a case number noting my issue and he said to call back if I am unsatisfied with their solution--I'm willing to wait it out for a few days, so if their software fix isn't satisfactory, I'm either getting a free bumper or my money back.

Edit: And I didn't camp out for my phone. I used the Apple website a week ago, clicked "pre-order" and had it shipped to me on 6/23.

 

[RedStep]

rofl

its not like its unusable.

calm the eff down.

I'm not freaking out. The statement is true. I can't use it... like a phone. You know, held in my hand, against my head, making a call. It's dropped every single call so far.

To me, that's not usable for its primary purpose.

His statement was that "more than a decent amount" of users are experiencing this.

 

[LM4sure]

Oh this is funny.

Serves people right for buying, no camping out, for a new product at launch.

This is very funny.

Spoiler

Stares at shitty Storm

:lol

Yeah, it is pretty funny. I've been sending this story to the many people who told me they were buying the new iphone. LOL!

 

[mrkgoo]

rofl

its not like its unusable.

calm the eff down.

No, didn't you know, it's a brick now. A paperweight.

 

[kaching]

I haven't dismissed anything. I specifically mention that any judgments I make are based on the available information at the time and will almost certainly change when we learn more. That's the exact opposite of dismiss.

:lol Whatever. Saying you dismissed it now doesn't mean you can't recall it later. This isn't a dichotomy.

 

[SnakeswithLasers]

No, didn't you know, it's a brick now. A paperweight.

Yes, how dare we paying customers be upset that our phone doesn't perform its PHONE FUNCTION!

It's kind of funny how people in here who either a) are fortunate enough to not have this issue on their 4 -or- b) don't even own a 4 yet are getting defensive in a manner which at least appears to be siding with Apple AGAINST those of us who were enthusiastic enough to buy this phone on day 1.

Anyway, I've got to make a long drive now. I'll check in on this later and see other people's experiences.

 

[andycapps]

:lol ya, I should have thought of that!

Just got off the phone with the product specialist or whatever. Basically he said the same thing as the guy right above me: "We're aware of the issue. Our engineers are working on it; in the meantime, use your headset! =)"

So, that's what I'll do. I got a case number noting my issue and he said to call back if I am unsatisfied with their solution--I'm willing to wait it out for a few days, so if their software fix isn't satisfactory, I'm either getting a free bumper or my money back.

Edit: And I didn't camp out for my phone. I used the Apple website a week ago, clicked "pre-order" and had it shipped to me on 6/23.

Sounds like they'll have a fix out for it. Makes sense to hang on then if you can use your headset when you make calls.

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

I'm not freaking out. The statement is true. I can't use it... like a phone. You know, held in my hand, against my head, making a call. It's dropped every single call so far.

To me, that's not usable for its primary purpose.

His statement was that "more than a decent amount" of users are experiencing this.

Then your phone must be jacked. schedule a genius appointment and get that replaced.

I'm not experiencing the antenna issue on mine.

 

[Tobor]

Yes, how dare we paying customers be upset that our phone doesn't perform its PHONE FUNCTION!

It's kind of funny how people in here who either a) are fortunate enough to not have this issue on their 4 -or- b) don't even own a 4 yet are getting defensive in a manner which at least appears to be siding with Apple AGAINST those of us who were enthusiastic enough to buy this phone on day 1.

Anyway, I've got to make a long drive now. I'll check in on this later and see other people's experiences.

Certainly not my intention. If my experience was as bad as yours, I would certainly ask for a replacement at the least. Hopefully this can be resolved for the people having serious problems.

 

[Lord Error]

They could have put an inconspicuous piece of plastic over the gap and solved this issue. This just seems extremely stupid.

They can't really even do that, unless the plastic would cover the bottom part of the antenna all the way around the curve so that your palm is not touching the metal at all while holding it. Making it like that will not make it inconspicuous, unless they can make the plastic that looks just like stainless steel.

I really have no idea how are they going to fix this unless they either put some lamination over the metal pieces (which will probably end up looking ugly, and could wear off easily) or be able to somehow filter out antenna interference either through some extra circuit in the phone or maybe even through software (highly doubtful, but would be ideal for everyone involved)

Also I definitely do not accept a free bumper as a valid solution for this. Those things are fugly as hell, I'm supposed to be using that on a device that's built to "look like an old Leica camera"?

I think the thread started out with a bit of a bang, but now it's much more leveled. The past couple pages are actually pretty well-rounded responses.

That's probably because by now just about everyone was able to reproduce this problem on their phone and has accepted it as a truth.

 

[RedStep]

Then your phone must be jacked. schedule a genius appointment and get that replaced.

I'm not experiencing the antenna issue on mine.

I asked if I should have it replaced, he said to "wait until the engineers have an answer". I'll do that, but if a bumper is a fix, they should spend the extra $500 and give them out like candy until a solution is available.

The phone is amazing, and I love it. It does many things well and is a work of art. But it's still a phone, and I feel like I can't actually make calls on it without holding it in a precarious position.

 

[esquire]

Ah poor Apple. It seems like a genuine oversight on their part.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

Yes, how dare we paying customers be upset that our phone doesn't perform its PHONE FUNCTION!

I understand this is upsetting and crippling if it happens to you, but why do you keep posting ragey shit like this? What exactly do you want? Apple can't just wave a wand and fix every phone in the world overnight, and people on forums will type whatever they want. What exactly would it take to make you stop writing nerd rage posts over and over in this thread saying nearly the same exact thing?

 

[Gary Whitta]

 

[bionic77]

That's probably because by now just about everyone was able to reproduce this problem on their phone and has accepted it as a truth.

WTF? I don't think that is true at all.

A lot of people have posted in here that their phones haven't had a problem.

 

[Jin]

Does Steve Job usually reply to emails from his customers? I thought he would have someone else do that given his busy schedule.

 

[Liu Kang Baking A Pie]

A lot of people have posted in here that their phones haven't had a problem.

They're just blind fanboys.

 

[Straightballin]

I understand this is upsetting and crippling if it happens to you, but why do you keep posting ragey shit like this? What exactly do you want? Apple can't just wave a wand and fix every phone in the world overnight, and people on forums will type whatever they want. What exactly would it take to make you stop writing nerd rage posts over and over in this thread saying nearly the same exact thing?

The title of the thread is "iPhone 4 plagued with antenna reception problem; hardware design to blame", the thread was made to discuss and vent on the frustration of the problem. Why can't he post whatever he wants about the problem?

 

[bionic77]

I'm not freaking out. The statement is true. I can't use it... like a phone. You know, held in my hand, against my head, making a call. It's dropped every single call so far.

To me, that's not usable for its primary purpose.

His statement was that "more than a decent amount" of users are experiencing this.

When did you get your phone? I got mine on Wednesday and it was dropping calls like crazy the first day. Since then it has been giving me MUCH better reception than my 3G ever did. I really don't know what the deal was with mine but it seems to have gone away.

If it doesn't go away after a day like mine did I would just return it and get another one.

 

[Straightballin]

You don't make that determination. And, 700 replies later, clearly we did.



No.

I seriously don't understand why this wouldn't deserve its own thread. It seems like the same people want to throw in a major discussion in a thread that was made for general discussion about the product.

 

[Future]

I understand this is upsetting and crippling if it happens to you, but why do you keep posting ragey shit like this? What exactly do you want? Apple can't just wave a wand and fix every phone in the world overnight, and people on forums will type whatever they want. What exactly would it take to make you stop writing nerd rage posts over and over in this thread saying nearly the same exact thing?

I don't have the energy to keep posting like some people. But I'm sure my nerd rage would subside if apple acknowledged the problem as a known issue, instead of suggesting to spend money on a case or hold it differently. God just thinking about that fuels the rage and I don't even have the damn phone yet, ha

This is somewhat similar to the 360 red ring shit. "ya know, things break." you are basically asking for nerd rage with responses like that

 

[TurtleSnatcher]

I don't have the energy to keep posting like some people. But I'm sure my nerd rage would subside if apple acknowledged the problem as a known issue, instead of suggesting to spend money on a case or hold it differently. God just thinking about that fuels the rage and I don't even have the damn phone yet, ha

This is somewhat similar to the 360 red ring shit. "ya know, things break." you are basically asking for nerd rage with responses like that

Calling their support lines which are the only people that matter seems to suggest they are working on a fix.

Listening to a guy randomly spout PR drivel isn't exactly 'tech support' which is what you seem to be confusing it with.

 

[Flo_Evans]

:lol

Glad I didn't rush out to get the new phone. You would think that by version 4 apple could design an antenna that would work.

They could software patch this (maybe)... if they modulate the frequency of the antenna to cover a wide range of resistance (people have different conductivity based on body fat, sweat on skin ect.) it could work. Not sure if the hardware is capable of modulating the antenna freq. or if they already do this just not enough.

With new hardware they could make the antenna read the resistance and modulate to suit. Can't believe they didn't think of that.

 

[Lyte Edge]

I have purposefully tried to reproduce the problem and can't get it to happen. I don't have any yellow splotches on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, either. Clearly I have gotten a superior super-iPhone 4.

But when you have Jobs saying to hold the phone differently or buy a case, that's where there's a real problem here. If using a bumper/case alleviates this issue, then Apple should just go ahead and give out free bumpers to people who are experiencing this problem.

It still seems to overblown like any other new popular tech device, though. Just looking at video games, you would have thought that 100% of all PSP-1000s and Xbox 360s were borked right out of the box from the amount of people complaining about stuck buttons/RRoDs on forums.

 

[Bluth]

Calling their support lines which are the only people that matter seems to suggest they are working on a fix.

Listening to a guy randomly spout PR drivel isn't exactly 'tech support' which is what you seem to be confusing it with.

Well when the CEO of the company says to "hold it differently" or "buy a case", I could see where issues could come up.

 

[Stat Flow]

Apple Defense Force went from obvious to chill to full on defense mode :lol

Anyways, my sisters friend who is on AT&T just said that she had this problem with her phone for the first time today, didn't happen at all yesterday. We have good AT&T coverage in Maryland, I would know because I was an AT&T customer less than a month ago, so I'm not sure what happened.

 

[Foob]

I seem to have this issue, too, but whatev I'll just hold it in my right hand

 

[Dragon]

I'm not freaking out. The statement is true. I can't use it... like a phone. You know, held in my hand, against my head, making a call. It's dropped every single call so far.

To me, that's not usable for its primary purpose.

His statement was that "more than a decent amount" of users are experiencing this.

I have the signal degradation, but I have not dropped a call yet. Which is sort of strange.

 

[Future]

Calling their support lines which are the only people that matter seems to suggest they are working on a fix.

Listening to a guy randomly spout PR drivel isn't exactly 'tech support' which is what you seem to be confusing it with.

The "guy" is Steve jobs. If anyone is a pulse on the attitude of the company, it's this guy. What's customer service gonna tell you at this point

Look, just saying it's these responses that fuel the mindless hate. Better to not respond at all then to say shit like that. Media is gonna jump all over that, and nerds will rage across the seas. Even RubX after seeing the problem first hand is feeling the sting of that response now.

M$ did the same shit with the 360 until finally acknowledged they fucked up. It's not like apple needs to do anything like that, cuz the phone is gonna sell like crack anyway. But it will make people feel a bit better I'm sure

 

[Meier]

I seriously don't understand why this wouldn't deserve its own thread. It seems like the same people want to throw in a major discussion in a thread that was made for general discussion about the product.

Most people dislike going to massive threads for news. They're daunting and it gets lost in the shuffle of general replies. News deserves a new thread.

 

[Dragon]

:lol

Glad I didn't rush out to get the new phone. You would think that by version 4 apple could design an antenna that would work.

They could software patch this (maybe)... if they modulate the frequency of the antenna to cover a wide range of resistance (people have different conductivity based on body fat, sweat on skin ect.) it could work. Not sure if the hardware is capable of modulating the antenna freq. or if they already do this just not enough.

With new hardware they could make the antenna read the resistance and modulate to suit. Can't believe they didn't think of that.

It's not about getting an antenna to work, they can't put it in certain places because of the FCC's protocols. Read http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/2010/6/24/apple-iphone-4-antennas.html for more information. Very good read if not already posted.

 

[Straightballin]

Most people dislike going to massive threads for news. They're daunting and it gets lost in the shuffle of general replies. News deserves a new thread.

...Yeah that was what I was saying.

Instead of major discussion, I should of said specific I guess.

 

[Meier]

...Yeah that was what I was saying.

Instead of major discussion, I should of said specific I guess.

Sorry, have to be honest in that I misread your post. Thought you were also saying you were not sure why it would deserve its own thread.

 

[Flo_Evans]

It's not about getting an antenna to work, they can't put it in certain places because of the FCC's protocols. Read http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/2010/6/24/apple-iphone-4-antennas.html for more information. Very good read if not already posted.

They could of still moved it to the sides and covered it in plastic. I mean that is their "solution" They choose stainless cause its "cool".

Hell if they really wanted they could of made a retractable whip antenna that actually worked well... but thats not "cool" anymore. :lol

 

[taylor910]

Well when the CEO of the company says to "hold it differently" or "buy a case", I could see where issues could come up.

This.

I'm really surprised by that comment.