MacDailyNews Take: “Highly respected” by grandma when she’s in the market for a new toaster, that is. Consumer Reports sucks at reviewing and quantifying computers and electronic devices. When they do get it right and miraculously choose the right computer or smartphone, it seems to be by sheer dumb luck, not by any design.
Schwarz continues, “Consumer Reports mentions that this is unique to the iPhone 4 model compared to past iPhone’s and it is also unique to the AT&T network as no other phones suffer from like reception issues. If the market was at a high this kind of news would cause AAPL to sell off $10. But because the market is near the low end of its trading range the stock is able to overcome the negative news. A market wide focus on low valuation is helping AAPL on a day like today.”
Schwarz has four thoughts on the matter:
1. This is nothing new… Consumer Reports is merely releasing an independent analysis that is hitting Wall Street today.
2. Nobody is in a hurry to return the phone. Apple users are confident that the problem will be fixed.
3. The Apple model of dealing with problems is that they don’t tell us anything until it is resolved.
4. These reception issues are not affecting sales. iPhone 4 is sold out everywhere.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Arline M.” for the heads up.]
Give it a few days. Word will spread, Android fan boys and Gizmosdo will see to that.
By whose definition does CR suck, or only matter to grandmas, MDN? Cite your sources, please.
Our iPhone 4 experience has been exemplary – the FUD flying around the Intertubes is pure bunk.
My iPhone 4 arrives August 3rd. Since a lot of people claim that they have no problem, I plan on thoroughly checking mine to make sure it’s not an issue. If I can replicate the problem, I’ll keep returning it until I get one that works fine. If I can’t locate one – I’ll just buy another 3Gs.
Hold it different is bullshit. And no – I don’t like using a case. I’ve had all three iPhones and have never cracked a glass.
CR has repeatedly given Apple computers high marks in the past, but I guess that was “sheer dumb luck”, huh? You can’t disregard them because you don’t like the results.
So, MDN, If Consumer Reports’ review and evaluation methods are questionable, as you suggest, then how does that reflect on Apple’s number one rating in Consumer Reports for Technical Support for the last ten consecutive years? Do you make a distinction between their hardware evaluation methods, and how they evaluate Technical Support effectiveness and efficiency? Please elaborate.
Umm.. I’m usually with you, MDN, but let’s also not forget that Consumer Reports has named Apple’s customer support #1 for all technology companies every year since 2003. It’s up to me as a responsible consumer to get as much information as possible before buying a product. I bought an iPhone 4 and my experience has been terrific regardless of what they say about reception issues. But just because I’m not having that issue, it doesn’t mean that others aren’t.
However, I do agree that if they had the resources to test the phone in their own (extremely expensive) controlled environment, they really should have tried the $29 bumper while they were at it.
hmmm…funny how MDN had no problem with Consumer Reports (ever) before today:
http://macdailynews.com/index.php/search/results/c98f6be0d809c945520a0a093d8f906f/
MDN = hypocrites, crybabies, and unfaithful.
OK, so I didn’t look at my own link; MDN called CR a “garbage publication” as recently as 2006 (and of course, MDN (or is that IDN – iPod Daily News?) itself represents the “highest standards” of whatever it is).
However, why quote “garbage” sources when the news is positive, without a disclaimer about the unreliability? As others have said, it’s disingenuous to use a source favourably only when it suits you; you’re only hurting your credibility…
Maybe that explains why as good a repository of stories as MDN is, the headlines, notes and takes here are becoming increasingly disposable.
Last week they recommended it this week they don’t – why do we trust them?
Whenever you release new hardware with a significant upgrade to the software, you should expect issues. Apple’s no different than any than software company. I’d expect the problems to go away when the update comes out. My phone has worked well in both the San Francisco Bay and in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I still get dropped calls from time to time. I look forward for Verizon to balance the load.
MDN has gone off the rails on this one.
Buy a case to protect the edge of the iPhone 4 and you can’t touch the shiny metal (with your wet conductive hands). People really need to get grip on this. Get a cover and enjoy the world’s best smart phone or buy 1 get 1 free of those want-to-be RIMM berry phones.
If it doesn’t affect the signal too much, their best bet is to disable the bottom section of the antenna when the signal starts to attenuate, or just disable it entirely. This would mean a design change / hardware fix, and a possible recall for people who want it. Before I noticed this issue, I was going to get a case as soon as Incase has them available.
Customer satisfaction results are based directly on reports by consumers and polls of consumers. Actual customers.
Testing and rating products is done by Consumer Union itself.
There is a major difference between the two. (Their hi-fi evaluations are just awful. They try to use a few parameters to determine overall quality. Does not work.)
That is, CU customer satisfaction ratings.
Let’s be fair: If Apple is really, genuinely experiencing a problem with one of its products then what is the harm in genuinely acknowledging it? I get that what we are in reality fighting here is the hordes of haters who have detected a chink in the king’s armor and are swarming in to take advantage of it, but bashing back at them seems somewhat beneath us (or should be). Why worry about them? Their words are nothing but petty and jealous blog attacks. Who gives a shit, seriously? I know Apple makes fantastic products, I know they back them up with outstanding and thorough support, and I know they have earned my respect and customer loyalty. That is all that matters. Clearly they are experiencing an issue with this, but they will fix it. Clearly the antiMac crowd has jumped on it, but that ammo will soon be removed from their arsenal. Do you think Martin Scorcese goes out of his way to start pissing all over any film critic that doesn’t get his latest film? No. Why? Because who gives a shit what they think?! I just get a little bit worried about the pedestal (no matter how much they’ve earned it to date) that we automatically place Steve and Co. on. The fall is going to be HUGE when and IF the ever fail. And believe me, EVERY company fails eventually. Until then, again, who gives a shit what they say…
My parents used to subscribe to consumer reports. Every time they reviewed cars, they would recommend some Chrysler or the Ford Tempo.
I went for the BMW anyway.
I must also say, like everyone else here, that MDN…jeez…you really did drop the ball on this one…OBJECTIVITY…Say it with me…
Consumer Reports is a fraud. They have been since the 90s when they ranked the Mazda Navajo much higher than the Ford Explorer. The funny part is that both vehicles were identical and built on the same assembly line. Any differences were the badges and branding on the vehicles.
Wolf!
On my second iPhone 4 (1st one gave me temp warning) and I love it dearly. However the antenna is a real problem for me and many users. I’ve learned to cope with it and I am very confident that Apple will address the issue. THERE IS NO WAY I go to android. I envy those who have no issues at all but let’s not rip other people who are experiencing the issue. It’s a real issue.
I enjoy and appreciate the articles from this site, but I really get annoyed by the owner’s unrealistic zeal for Apple products and attempts to discredit any naysayers in the “MDN’s Take:” It gets tiresome and is absurd. I think Consumer Reports is more well-respected and renowned among the tech world and Wall Street than say, Mac Daily News. I realize this is a place for Apple enthusiasts, and I’m as big of an Apple supporter as the next guy, but the “takes” expressed here not only lack objectivity but are often illogical and unfounded.
It’s ok for someone not to like an Apple product. The world (or Apple) won’t end as a result. But to blatantly discredit Consumer Reports is just absurd. It had legitimate reasons for calling Apple out on the iPhone 4. I own one and have had issues with the antenna. I’ve also had problems with the hypersensitivity of the screen when it’s close to my face. These are issues I hope Apple will resolve, but they have been very nonchalant in their admission of any errors, when obviously, the problems exist.
But MDN really needs to evaluate its own credibility and how we Apple admirers even view its approach.
This is what I don’t get: Why do we not hear reports of this being a problem on Vodaphone, Softbank, O2, Orange, etc? iPhone 4 isn’t just sold in the US. What’s the word from foreign carriers?
Damn! Don’t expect getting any love from MacDailyNews anytime soon Consumer Reports.
I don’t care….I don’t care…..I don’t care….
“Highly respected” for what? Their schtick about being not biased because they don’t take advertisements is bunk.
I don’t care….It has the Why-Fies….I want a white one…. I want the one with the bigger GeeBeez….I don’t care….because it is an iphone….
We can mock CR as much as we want, but they have some credibility. Unlike those sites like Gizmodo or CNET/ZDNET who are just a bunch of hit whoring bloggers. CR actually has a voice that people may listen. I think Apple may be in for a hurt with this one.
@ottawamark
By me, too.
@Exregis
They do the testing themselves, except when they don’t.
I’ll never forgive them for the cover story they did about ten years ago on vitamin supplements. Essentially, they republished the bullshit spewed by one Victor Herbert, author “The Vitamin Pushers.” He had to go through contortions to ignore a competitive product ours for another which did not belong in the comparison in order to cite it as a poor value.
I’ll look at their tire ratings, appliance rating, etc., but for the most part, all they know is the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Any of you morons red the Jason Schwarz article, or are you just here to practice your drivel?
Any of you morons read the Jason Schwarz article, or are you just here to practice your drivel?
I never was a fan of CR because I’m in the automobile industry and boy do they get it wrong most of the time when it comes to cars. But its their call on what the problem is with the new iPhone4. Everybody experience seems to be different regarding the antenna issue. I finally took off my case today because I was tired of hidding the beauty of my iPhone4. I love the design but fear dropping it, so this is why mine was in a case. I am not having the same issue others claim to have, so results may very. For those who are getting upset because they are having issues, please return the phone and move on. Its been less then a month and their is no need to get nasty toward Apple or anyone who isn’t having the same issue. You have a choice. Put up, or shut up. Return the phone or live with the issue if it is hardware related. The ball is in your court. Droid Does!
MDN is a little harsh, but generally correct with their criticism of CR. When it comes to electronics, they really don’t seem to have much of a clue.
They test many things over and over again, bit often only come to a pre determined conclusion about a piece of electronic equipment.
For example, when they tested PowerPC macs, the magazine routinely ignored the platform as insignificant and not worth buying. After the intel switch, they started doing hardware to hardware comparisons, and left out the OS from their opinion.
Now because of Apple’s market presence they have gone to the trouble of using their customer service and products and ranked them best in class. Except that every time they review an iMac they don’t put it next to a compatible desktop model, and apple laptops are typically compared against themselves with another manufacturer typically winning the category. (just hardware comparisons, no mention of software or os. Also a convenient lack of the mention of the malware deterrent ability of apple products)
So, while I agree that MDN may be a little over zealous in their criticism of CR, theydo have a valid basis for said criticism because of past behavior on CR’s part.
I meant comparible, not compatible.
CR isn’t the most qualified to evaluate technology gadgets, but it does look at products it reviews from the general consumer’s point of view. The other factor is that CR isn’t swayed by freebies, extra advertising, etc., so its reviews are about as neutral as it gets.
Also don’t forget, the review of the iPhone 4 puts it at the top of the smartphone list, but it earned a “not recommended” because of the reception issues. That reception issue is real, and should not be in the iPhone 4. Apple will fix it, but Apple will have to deal with the negative publicity for some time.
Recently Consumer Reports has come around about Apple products. However, for many years before, the Consumer Union testers and reviewers demonstrated an antipathy for Apple and its Mac products.This latest negativity does seem calculated. If all that stands between the iP4 and top-rated-ness is a small piece of duct tape, it is odd that CU is making a stand on principle vs. giving a rational opinion. Their testing makes the iP4 out to be great. So why not say it is great vs. quibbling about a “problem” that millions of us have not experienced and is not preventing us from enjoying our iP4s?
Hey, what happened to the 3rd page of comments on the recent article “Consumer Reports: We cannot recommend Apple iPhone 4”????
I had a post there that disappeared along with that page.
Consumer Reports states that the problem of recetion drop off could not be replicated in a Palm Pre or other earlier models, then they go on to state that perhaps the statement of dropped calls may not due to AT&T;’s network problems. Yet we’ve been hearing about dropped call problem since the first generation IPhone, and you can’t replicate the problem in Apples earlier models. So which is it? Faulty experimentation leads to faulty data and improper conclusion and this bad recommendations. IthinkDN has a point. Still I doubt this will have much effect as the phone remains a hot seller , there
aren’t a rush of returns like with the
Pre or some Android units and were not hearing any loud echos from the overseas markets about this problem. Hopefully Consumers Union will keep the units they bought and when the software fix is implemented, do a reevaluation of their results. In the mean tim how about doing real world comparisons rather than lbad lab tests.
I’m not so happy with reception on my iPhone 4 compared to my 3G. If the $29- bumper is the solution, Apple should be giving them away or selling them at cost. I’m an Apple fan and a shareholder, but I have to admit, this thing drops more calls- a lot more- than my 3G. Even so, I wouldn’t trade it. . . but what a shame to step backwards.
I’m confused. A couple of weeks back MDN was holding CR up as some sort of reliable authority when it said the iPhone 4 antenna problem was a non-issue…
MW: step. As in, dare to step out of line and mdn will take you down.
Consumer Reports gave my front-loading GE washer their highest rating. Had I read the user comments, I would’ve realized in advance it was an aggravating POS and should have bought a Samsung.
I subscribe to CR- but it is not infallible. I first discovered this years ago with their ratings of VCR’s. They are totally off the mark on many things- coffee- and operating systems, for example. A Mac is a PC is a computer. Macs get “fewer viruses.” They rate Apple’s tech support and frequency of repair on reader feedback, not their own “Geniuses.”
You know… Just about everyone I know now has an iPhone and I’ve only seen 2 that weren’t in a case. Honestly…2. And those 2 people have repeatedly told me that they want a case, but haven’t found one they like. The new phone is mostly glass, and now people don’t want to use a case??? Why? Because the new phone is such a gorgeous design? So were the first 2 designs. I put my new iP4 directly into a case (and my kids iP4) before we even did a Face Time. The thing is 95% GLASS. Protect it as best you can… And the antenna issue magically disappears as a bonus. Also, most everyone knows AT&T;’s 3G coverage can be a problem for some, so turn off the 3G and use Edge. I have never had a dropped call on any of my 3 iPhones and the first thing I do is turn off the 3G (due to its battery devouring) and life has been good and my battery life is better. And I do hold my iP4 any way I want to. Get a case!!! I picked up a Rocketfish case at Best Buy for $20. So far, best case for any iPhone I’ve owned.
Cheapest, too.
SO sick of MDN’s flip-flopping. That’s enough. I’ll read TUAW
@ Voice of Reason. I agree. I recall reading computer reviews by CR in the 2004-2007 time frame. Typically, they would give the computer hardware good reviews because of the component and build quality, but invariably would cite the high cost of the computers compared with, say, Dell, and advise people that they may well consider getting a Dell or HP because they present good “value”. They seemed to miss the point of the value of OSX.