“Let’s recap the problem,” Comeau writes. “A small number of people reported iPhone 4 reception problems related to how they held the phone. I say a ‘small number”‘ because there’s still absolutely zero evidence of a high return rate or widespread customer dissatisfaction.”
“Then, a whole bunch of media types started trying to recreate the problem themselves by holding their phones every which way, trying to get the signal to drop,” Comeau writes. “So while these techno-hypochondriacs didn’t actually suffer from or notice this problem, they were determined to do so once they saw the opportunity to jump all over Apple.”
Comeau writes, “Consumer Reports delivered a magnificent troll job this week when it said it ‘couldn’t recommend the iPhone 4.’ …I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, but who cares about how well the iPhone 4 performs in an isolation chamber? I don’t make phone calls from my isolation chamber. No, I only use my isolation chamber to breathe in pure oxygen and protect myself from germs.”
“But wait, there’s more,” Comeau writes. “When Consumer Reports first looked at the iPhone 4, it said “some reviewers have reported problems with reduced reception when the iPhone 4 is being held in the left hand. So far, we’ve been unable to replicate the problems.” Unable to replicate the problems. Unable to replicate the problems. Unable to replicate the problems. Get it?”
Comeau writes, “I’d like to know: How in the blue hell does Consumer Reports place admittedly ‘anecdotal indications’ from an isolation chamber above what it found in normal use?”
Read more in the full article – recommended – here.
MacDailyNews Take: Because if Consumer Reports didn’t place admittedly “anecdotal indications” from an isolation chamber above what it found in normal use, their website wouldn’t have a bunch of extra hits from a highly-desireable demographic that rarely, if ever, visits their paywall.
Seriously, if you ever find yourself reading Consumer Reports, stop! Just put it down and leave it in the doctor’s office along with the large print Reader’s Digest. If you’re subscriber… Yikes! Cancel immediately, you’re embarrassing yourself. Go read The Weekly World News instead, at least their “reports” have aliens.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “GetMeOnTop” for the heads up.]
This is really a non issue. We have 3 of the phones and UAE been unable to reproduce the problem with any of the phones. It will not drop a call no matter how we hold it. We have tried this in areas of great signal strength and meager signal strength. Not sure why but I know ally f people with this new phone in the south east Michigan area and NoNE of them have had this issue.
@Lalit
Did replacing your phone solve the problem?
RicMac said: “Cause you are a troll, that’s why. Take the phone back and get your money back, it clearly don’t work for you. Why do you need three iPhones again????”
I’m anything but a troll. I’m one of Apple’s biggest fans and strongest supporters, for all of their amazing products. But when they miss the mark I don’t bury my head in the sand.
I had 3 3G phones for a year, then 3 3GS phones for a year, then 3 iPhone 4s. Family plan, ya know? I tested all 3 iP4s extensively when we started having dropped calls (on day 1), and discovered the antenna issue before I read the first word about it. Called Apple and spent a LONG time on the phone with them about the problem. Anyway, finally returned all 3 phones and went back to my 3GSs after Apple announced what they were going to do about the problem (nothing to address the issue with signal loss).
I really want an iPhone 4, but it has to be a phone that I can use WITHOUT me having to continuously be aware of how I’m holding it. And I hate cases, always have.
MDN’s trashing of CR has certainly put them in their place. No one is paying any attention to CR now that the true protector of consumers has spoken. Thank you MDN. I’m sure all the networks will tonight be thanking you for setting everything straight.
@ Wingsy
My hero. Hang in there – you are absolutely on target and all the attacks you are suffering, all the names you are called, etc., are just signs that you are right – have hit a nerve of the lemmings populating this site whose purpose in life is to worship lord Steve Jobs. In their view, he cannot make a mistake and producing a phone that doesn’t work is just fine with them. They will buy it anyway, claim it’s wonderful, and drink some more Apple Koolaid.
Well, if enough people return their iP4s maybe I won’t have to wait until the 27 of July to get my phone. Just trying to see a positive side to this on going media drivel, the drivel on the other hand does highlight the glaring stupidity of most technical writers, journalist my ass, these people are every thing that good journalist isn’t supposed to be.
Wingsy,
I smell troll, here he`s crying about his 3 iphone 4s that don`t work, yet on CNET he`s claimed to have returned them, so which is it?…
your post..
“Anyway, my point is that, where it matters, the iPhone 4 is not for me because I need a phone first and foremost. I returned all 3 of my iP4s for a refund and went back to my trusty 3GS. I’m now waiting for iPhone 4B.”
http://www.cnet.com/8705-4_1-0.html?username=Wingsy&tag=contentMain;contentBody
@ KanMac
Wow great idea. Can go for that whole retro look with the duct tape. I’ve seen wallets and otehr things made with duct tape too and they are supposed to be durable etc.
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@ Frank M
You make sense! I agree with all your points that Apple Inc. will do the right thing and then Apple customers should report any problems. But the media? That is a group that can be snakes with lots of dead heads:-(
Go AAPL = $301 in 2010 then $401 in 2011
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Wingsy…. MDN wouldn’t forward my link, so here’s a url of me doing what you asked.
ok, after looking at the video Wingsy, it just has too much personal information for me to put out there on the web. If you can figure out a way for me to get it to you without anyone else seeing it I’d be happy to share it with you.
iChat maybe?
I tried to replicate the problem myself with my friends iPhone 4 talking to one of his friends with another iPhone 4 and was trying to attenuate the signal (with my left-hand as I am left-handed) and could not for the life of me replicate the issue. I think the issue is all hogwash!
I am offended by the anti-Consumer Reports comments by MDM and others.
I am a Consumer Reports subscriber and a Mac technician who owns an iPhone 4. I love my iPhone, but have seen firsthand the ”Death Grip” signal drop. When I hold my phone normally (right-handed), the weak signal at my office becomes ”No Signal”.
So I suggest that we step back and wait unti Friday to hear what Apple has to say about this.
Islandgirl
First off, I was merely putting into perspective the lameness of the iPhone ‘antennagate’ controversy.
Secondly, I agree with you that it is a crime to knowingly out a covert CIA agent, which is why the Plame game was so lame.
Over two years were spent on the investigation when it was known the entire time how her name ended up in Robert Novak’s column.
No charges were brought against anyone for this incident.
Scooter Libby was fed to the lions to satisfy a need for blood. His conviction had nothing to do with the actual events.
Here is who outed her.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldrich_Ames
It is also interesting (to me, at least) that Joe Wilson gave two versions of what he found in Africa.
1) The fact that the Iraqis had not bought yellowcake uranium was widely publicized.
2) The fact that the Iraqi’s had tried to open trade with Niger, whose only worthy export is uranium, was not widely reported, and was the basis for believing they were developing a need for the uranium.
http://nrd.nationalreview.com/article/?q=ZDc1NmE1ZTMwNzlhN2NkYjJjMWUzMTEzYjZmNzAwNWY=
Literacy is Your Friend:
You state that MDN has been on record, since 2005, as saying to take what CR reports… with a grain of salt.
Now, MDN says to completely STOP reading CR full stop. Just stop subscribing; stop reading them altogether. Yet, they continue to read it and report their findings here. It’s contradictory, hypocritical, biased, etc. There has been no solid argument… evidence… against CR that significantly takes away from their findings. Their test for signal strength was actually one of the most scientific to date. And they are right about not recommending it for purchase based on their testing. If it is a design flaw that cannot be eliminated with software, this is a serious flaw in the phone. And only a recall or redesign will remedy the problem.
And don’t start advancing the idea that every cell phone is prone to dropping signals like the iPhone 4 does under the death grip. That’s complete fluff and everyone knows it.
So… you’re the asshole. The reality is that Apple has an issue with the iPhone 4, how widespread it is we don’t really know. Could be 1% of owners, could be pretty much everyone if indeed it is a design flaw. We shall see. But the theme that keeps cropping up is… fanboys always run to the front lines to try and defend Apple.
Relax. Just take a breathe. So Apple might have a major problem with their phone. Life will continue…
Spill the Beans…. Wow you really have to digress to using profanity to get your point across? That’s a shame. All phones have various reception issues. The reality is there are always those that just salivate at the opportunity to try to tear down Apple. What is funny is they always end up looking life fools. The reason you ask? Apple does what is right. They are a company that has a moral compass. They only address issues once they have assessed, evaluated and resolved issues. As an Apple consumer I can be confident that issues will be addressed and the products will be some of the best products made. I know that if I am not satisfied I have a choice to return a product without question and without a problem. That is what defines a good company. If 1% of car owners felt their vehicle ride was too bumpy do you think an auto company would replace everyone’s shocks? No. Especially if you lived on a bumpy road. Odds are they wouldn’t even address the issue. Apple has already stated they would address the issue and is scheduled to hold a press event on Friday. It’s just funny how Apple haters try as hard as they can to grasp at straws to try to beat down the most advanced technology company on the planet.
Two day old iPhone 4 user. Huh? This is the best phone, smart phone, PC, that I habe ever had. What problems do I have?
Well, Weekly World News ceased publication a while ago.
Consumer Reports has Always been inconsistent, but worth checking out. What they probably don’t realize right now is that in their stupidity they’ve hurt their own credibility and reputation even more than Apple’s.
Apple’s products speak for themselves: CR speaks- BS?…
No the reason why it’s a big issue is because…
It’s soooo easily fix for soooooo little money…yet Apple still hasn’t fixed it.
It’s their biggest mistake since the Cube.
Hum.
You know what the funny thing would be. Since some people have this problem while others seem unable to replicat it this problem might actually be specifict to where you are and what cell site you are connected to so when Apple now is in the works switching to ATTs sstandard for signal strenght this fix from Apple might fix the whole problem and make everyone just shut up. JUST LIKE THAT. If that were to happen it would be really funny.
You fanboys are so pathetic.
I believe them, i just put the i phone up my own B** and jumped into the bath tub, guess what, no signal, that’s science…….so in conclusion if you need to do that to your phone, then don’t buy the i phone. i cannot recommend this phone.
Apple should man up and do a recall of all the iPhone 4s once they have developed a fix for the design flaw. Apple has become the victim of its own success. I feel Apple is spending less time on designing and product testing and more time on PR events to deliver inferior products at a premium. This free bumper just would not cut it. The name iPhone 4 itself misleads one to think that it is a 4G Phone something like HTC Evo 4G. The hallowed design is copied from Blackberry and others. I mean look at the bold 9700 for example or the Pearl and you’ll see that it too has the metallic side strip, so whats the big thing about this old design? I agree about the iPhone UI and the display etc. But the IOS 4 itself is so buggy if you upgrade on even a 3GS leave alone a 2G iPod.
Hey Apple quit whining and pointing fingers, correct your mistakes on this design defect. Putting a condom on the iPhone 4 would also do better things than your Bumper band aid fix.