Egan writes, “From what I can see in the reports, Consumer Reports replicated the same uncontrolled, unscientific experiments that many of the blogging sites have done.”
“I’m not saying that Apple has no h/w problem and they surely have a s/w issue. But I’m still wondering that if the software signal algorithm was not AFU’d in the first place how many, if anyone would talking about this ‘problem,'” Egan writes. “I also don’t know what part of this problem is Apple’s and what part is related to the AT&T network. And we don’t know how the observed effect is, or is not, similar to other devices.”
Egand writes, “We also don’t know if placing a finger on the antenna bridge is detuning the antenna or detuning the receiver itself. And neither does Consumer Reports.”
Full article, which explains in more detail why Consumer Reports’ iPhone 4 study was flawed, here.
MacDailyNews Take: We couldn’t be less surprised.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dale S.” for the heads up.]
Well, that’s the last word on that, I’m sure!
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It’s a software problem; it’s a hardware problem; it’a a software and a hardware problem; CR is right or wrong; Apple is right or wrong, or maybe a little of each. Apple is totally right, anybody that disagrees is a tool; Apple is wrong, anybody that disagrees with that is a total fanboy.
Anybody that disagrees with Apple’s position is an idiot or an obvious M$ plant; anybody that agrees with Apple’s position is up SJ’s ass, or at least a fanatic.
There’s a problem; there isn’t a problem; to some there is a problem; to some there is not a problem.
Does this about cover where we’re at with this?
We also don’t know if placing a finger on the antenna bridge is detuning the antenna or detuning the receiver itself. “
Who cares which is being detuned? Holding it in a normal manner drops the call or kills the data. This is true for all 3 of my iP4s here at my desk, and never true for my 3 3GSs or the earlier 3G. Is that scientific enough for ya?
@Wingsy
why the hell do you have 3 iPhone 4s at your desk?
i’m a gadget whore but one is usually enough to get my fix.
I can’t begin to express my frustration with the way this whole thing is being justified and back pedaled and who said what. Do yourselves a favor and make you own decisions in life and stop relying on over payed opinions by middle aged dolts.
You want the phone, then BUY it, if you don’t want the phone because you have to wait for every little review and bug fixes and article hypnotizing you to make a decision, then you’re a lost cause.
@Wingsy,
No, it isn’t, señor troll.
Wonder how the prices of iPhone 3GS’ are holding up?
Not sure what all the fuss is about. My iPhone works perfectly no matter how I hold it.
first of all the ‘phone’ part of the iPhone has never been the draw, the OS and the functionality of the device is what the draw is here. Yes it has a phone which everyones finds useful but I use the device for a hell of a lot more than to just make phone calls.
The general public doesn’t care abouth the under the hood tech details. They bought the phone to make calls. It’s called an iphone, because it is a cell phone.
If holding it a certain way drops calls, then it fails as a phone. It’s really that simple.
Had my iPhone 4 almost a week. Love it.
@ jambo
Couldn’t disagree more. It’s a device that happens to make calls, I didn’t but this device to make phone calls,there are plenty of cell phones out there. This is more than just a cell phone. Also, if the ipod touches came out first I would have that instead of the same device with a phone. That’s the case here.
A very scared non-Apple world is desperately doing what it can to slow the ever increasing Apple momentum.
THAT is what this is ALL about…
A storm in a teacup no matter how hard you bark…
Remember that they tried to say that the iPad antenna was faulty too in the first few weeks of iPad availability….
This will be a good test of the Apple/ATT relationship…
ATT Reception in the NYC area has been faulty and abysmal for the past few months (as evidenced by ATT issuing thousands of dollars rebates to many customers in acknowledging this) despite their declaraction that a huge upgrade to their equipment is in place, which was announced with thebrelease of iPhone 4.
I would bet that ATT equipment still needs to be fine tuned and tweaked with iPhone 4 and iOS 4 I wouldn’t rule out a firmware fix and software update solution….
Apple is even bigger than a sum of all it’s parts
@Macaday,
You hit it right on the nose!
Went to 2 local ATT stores a couple of days ago and found that they have not had a single returned iPhone 4, and had none in stock to sell. The sales people I spoke with all covet the “4” as their next phone and have heard few or no complaints about call quality.
I am observing the dramatic swing in stock prices around these antena articles and feel sorry for the inexperienced Apple investor pigeons who are being plucked by the manipulators. This happens so consistently every quarter that it has become something I watch with detached fascination.
@ jabo,
You’d have to own an iPhone 4 to know your statement is full of shit. Too bad you don’t own one. Troll away asshole.
why so angry? he didn’t attack you personally or bang yer mom. i think the asshole is you.
on topic: my phone drops calls like crazy, unless i hold it steve’s special way. i guess big al must have tiny lady hands, since he’s so upset with a flaw that affects many others.
If the iPhone 4 loses signal and drops calls if held in a certain way, even for a small percentage of people, then it has a design flaw, whether software or hardware. And Apple needs to fix it.
The problem is that none of these “tests” can be reproduced easily in different locations because of the variables in mobile networks, terrain, and even the sweatiness of people’s hands. But it is consistent for certain people in the same place, and that warrants Apple doing something about it.
Good time to BUY a few more shares!
Don’t float this s h i t anymore please!
If Apple has to provide everybody “the bumber” it will make total of something like 15-20 million dollars losses at the same time when The Company makes billions of profit. If it is “the software” fix.. well then the losses are summer time pr what ever.
In any case Apple could do it big time and offer everybody a $30 ticket towards the Apple Store so that you can buy what ever case you want.
The much bigger question is that when do we get those white iPhones here in Finland! Others shut the f up.
There’s a pretty easy way to determine what portion of the problem is related to software: wait for the software update.
Until then, the flapping lips and keystrokes are producing nothing but heresy – including MDN’s tireless rant about Apple giving away bumpers for free.
While I can hold my iP4 in my hand and see the signal meter drop like a rock after a minute or so, I have yet to drop a call while using my iP4. I guess I don’t hold it like I’m throwing a fastball while I’m talking on it.
Now the proximity sensor issue, that’s another story! I have accidentally muted, or activated Facetime during several calls. The result of which is, I now use my earbuds much more frequently while making calls from iP4 than I ever did with any previous iP.
Still have not bought or used a bumper.
No problems at all, but I did buy a bumper day one. So, no problems with reception. Though I could not use it without a case of any type. Glass will shatter if a strike on it’s edge is enough to release the tension. The glass edge on the iPhone is exposed and that is why I use a case.
If anyone feels really safe without a case, well go for it. But glass is glass- do not let it fall on the edge. Bad things can happen!
It has landed on pavement a number of times with the bumper and it has survived. So I do not think it is a worthless item- overpriced yes. Cheaper than a repair? YES.
This is completely irrelevant at this point as most consumers are not electromagnetic engineers. Most are actually completely illiterate technically/scientifically and wouldn’t even understand this article.
This is a PR issue at this stage, not technical.
Apple better get off their a** and do better than have SJ send off a stupid, dismissive email.