By SteveJack
Seriously, is it really that difficult to make a white iPhone?
Apple first mentioned the elusive white iPhone 4 on June 7, 2010, promising it would be available “in either black or white” on June 24th.
Then, on June 24th, Apple issues a press release stating, “White models of Apple’s new iPhone 4 have proven more challenging to manufacture than expected, and as a result they will not be available until the second half of July.”
Okay, I can see that; a bit of a delay is understandable. Break given. Apple has much experience making Macs and iPods in many colors, and even in white, so they’ll correct the issue(s) in no time. They even made white iPhone 3G and 3GS models, so confidence should be high, right?
Uh, no. Next, on July 23rd, Apple released another statement, “White models of Apple’s new iPhone 4 have continued to be more challenging to manufacture than we originally expected, and as a result they will not be available until later this year.”
Now, we’ve jumped right from understandable straight into ridiculous territory.
But, that’s not all, folks! With “later this year” rapidly running out, Apple didn’t even bother with another press release, they just phoned up select media yesterday with the news that the white iPhone won’t arrive “until spring 2011.”
Yeah, right. Hey, did you enjoy your trip from ridiculous to WTF-land?
Let’s pause to recap:
• June 7, 2010: White iPhone 4 coming June 24th.
• June 24, 2010: White iPhone 4 coming “second half of July.”
• July 23, 2010: White iPhone 4 coming “later this year.”
• October 26, 2010: White iPhone 4 coming “spring 2011.”
Listen, I don’t want a white iPhone. I prefer my iPhones in black (luckily, it turns out). Because I’m a man. But, for you ladies who’ve been waiting patiently for a white iPhone, I simply have to call ’em like I see ’em. So, as I would with any other lesser company, I must point out that Apple has failed miserably here. Who’s in charge of this white iPhone fiasco? Who planned the materials, did the testing, approved the samples, and set up the availability timeline? Steve Ballmer?
There’s no other way to look at it: Microsoftian is what this is; a laughable comedy of errors. Obviously even Apple is embarrassed, and rightfully so, hence the lack of a third press release announcing their inexplicable inability to produce an iPhone 4 in white.
It shouldn’t be this hard, Apple. It really shouldn’t.
SteveJack is a long-time Macintosh user, web designer, multimedia producer and a regular contributor to the MacDailyNews Opinion section.
Can we say Verizon?! Why would it make sense to make two different versions this close to a Verizon release? It wouldn’t! Apple will put all their manufacturing efforts into the new Verizon version that will run on the two largest US wireless companies networks.
Can we say Verizon?! Why would it make sense to make two different versions this close to a Verizon release? It wouldn’t! Apple will put all their manufacturing efforts into the new Verizon version that will run on the two largest US wireless companies networks.
“Apple didn’t even bother with another press release, they just phoned up select media yesterday with the news that the white iPhone won’t arrive “until spring 2011.””
Is it because you were not one of the select media to be given the news?
Whatever it is, this post sounds like whining and you don’t say what Apple could have done. Why don’t you spell out what Apple should have done? For example:
1. Say the color of the home button doesn’t match the rest of the phone, say the phone turns yellow after 2 months of use, you want Apple to release the phone knowing this? They already got enough press for the antennagate issue.
2. Apple should do a press release that there will NOT be a white iPhone 4. May be this is straight-forward and they can concentrate on the problem getting it resolved on time for iPhone 5.
If your article had called for Apple to simply do the latter, it would have been great. But, this article is merely a rant – for something that you don’t want,
“Apple didn’t even bother with another press release, they just phoned up select media yesterday with the news that the white iPhone won’t arrive “until spring 2011.””
Is it because you were not one of the select media to be given the news?
Whatever it is, this post sounds like whining and you don’t say what Apple could have done. Why don’t you spell out what Apple should have done? For example:
1. Say the color of the home button doesn’t match the rest of the phone, say the phone turns yellow after 2 months of use, you want Apple to release the phone knowing this? They already got enough press for the antennagate issue.
2. Apple should do a press release that there will NOT be a white iPhone 4. May be this is straight-forward and they can concentrate on the problem getting it resolved on time for iPhone 5.
If your article had called for Apple to simply do the latter, it would have been great. But, this article is merely a rant – for something that you don’t want,
SteveJack maybe you should take into account the level of sales of white iPhone sales compared to those that are black higher volume means more attention to one or the other most people don’t want white. Secondly I would think in order to make white iPhones it would mean a halt in production of black to set the machines for production of white iPhones not happening considering the volume of black ones they already sell. Think of it like this here’s an example. I’m a lefty and I’m a musician of sorts well when I go to the guitar store for example I can see 2 guitars 1 for the rightys & 1 for the leftys same model same color. Well sure I want the lefty one but guess what? It’s like $100.00 more! Why, well because it’s considered a speciality item. Or what about notebooks for leftys so my wrist isnt sitting on the spring I could go on… Bottom line majority wants black iPhones so that’s what apple focuses on . Honestly I can’t understand why white?!? They look horrid if I had this elusive white iPhone I’d sell it and get a black myself they look cleaner and more professional.
SteveJack maybe you should take into account the level of sales of white iPhone sales compared to those that are black higher volume means more attention to one or the other most people don’t want white. Secondly I would think in order to make white iPhones it would mean a halt in production of black to set the machines for production of white iPhones not happening considering the volume of black ones they already sell. Think of it like this here’s an example. I’m a lefty and I’m a musician of sorts well when I go to the guitar store for example I can see 2 guitars 1 for the rightys & 1 for the leftys same model same color. Well sure I want the lefty one but guess what? It’s like $100.00 more! Why, well because it’s considered a speciality item. Or what about notebooks for leftys so my wrist isnt sitting on the spring I could go on… Bottom line majority wants black iPhones so that’s what apple focuses on . Honestly I can’t understand why white?!? They look horrid if I had this elusive white iPhone I’d sell it and get a black myself they look cleaner and more professional.
“Listen . . . I prefer my iPhones in black . . . Because I’m a man. But, for you ladies who’ve been waiting patiently for a white iPhone….”
REALLY?!? That was definitely a “trip from ridiculous to WTF-land”. And, no, I did not like it. I’m assuming you have a lot of issues.
“Listen . . . I prefer my iPhones in black . . . Because I’m a man. But, for you ladies who’ve been waiting patiently for a white iPhone….”
REALLY?!? That was definitely a “trip from ridiculous to WTF-land”. And, no, I did not like it. I’m assuming you have a lot of issues.
3rd partys have been making replacement white parts for at least 3months how is it Apple can’t? the reason – i think they can, but wont for some reason.
3rd partys have been making replacement white parts for at least 3months how is it Apple can’t? the reason – i think they can, but wont for some reason.
This article is not merely a rant. The issue isn’t about Apple delaying a product until they are able to get it right; the problem is with them making promises that they are not in a position to deliver. We have come to expect this Microsoft, even AT&&T. We expect better from Apple.
This article is not merely a rant. The issue isn’t about Apple delaying a product until they are able to get it right; the problem is with them making promises that they are not in a position to deliver. We have come to expect this Microsoft, even AT&&T. We expect better from Apple.
The bit about the black phones being for men and white phones for women is obviously tongue-in-cheek. And I say this as a man who owns a white iPhone.
The bit about the black phones being for men and white phones for women is obviously tongue-in-cheek. And I say this as a man who owns a white iPhone.
What if you call your iPhone a ‘she’ just like a boat or car and you want it in white because it’s female?
What if you call your iPhone a ‘she’ just like a boat or car and you want it in white because it’s female?
Read the same Cult of Mac article and have to say that the color white can be very tricky in the transmission of light. Paint in general can be made of most anything, but paint used on houses/buildings are not the same as those used on glass. House paint usually contain some kind of metal (most recently ceramic) particles that is used to block light transmission and reflect light thus keeping the house cooler and allows the paint to stay in its original color shade for longer period of time. But those kinds of paint drys in thick layers. In regards to paint used on glass, they do not have this added particle to block light transmission and can be layered on very thinly. Light transmission is highly dependant upon the color. Obviously, black paint is best at absorbing light, while white will allow a lot of light transmission.
A couple of ways I could see them solving this light transmission problem would be to make the glass thinner and apply a thicker coating of paint. But this would present an increase in the problem of glass breakage. Another possible solution would be to eliminate the paint and use a dense plastic in two layers. The top later would be white and the bottom later could be black. This would then cause the white coloring to be uneven. One more possible solution would be to surround the LED flash with a thin metal cylinder and sink the LED a little deeper into the casing. This could help alleviate the light tranmission problem from the flash and thereby solving the overexposure problem. But this will alter the design and possible look of the iPhone to a very small degree.
Well that’s my 2 cents worth.
Read the same Cult of Mac article and have to say that the color white can be very tricky in the transmission of light. Paint in general can be made of most anything, but paint used on houses/buildings are not the same as those used on glass. House paint usually contain some kind of metal (most recently ceramic) particles that is used to block light transmission and reflect light thus keeping the house cooler and allows the paint to stay in its original color shade for longer period of time. But those kinds of paint drys in thick layers. In regards to paint used on glass, they do not have this added particle to block light transmission and can be layered on very thinly. Light transmission is highly dependant upon the color. Obviously, black paint is best at absorbing light, while white will allow a lot of light transmission.
A couple of ways I could see them solving this light transmission problem would be to make the glass thinner and apply a thicker coating of paint. But this would present an increase in the problem of glass breakage. Another possible solution would be to eliminate the paint and use a dense plastic in two layers. The top later would be white and the bottom later could be black. This would then cause the white coloring to be uneven. One more possible solution would be to surround the LED flash with a thin metal cylinder and sink the LED a little deeper into the casing. This could help alleviate the light tranmission problem from the flash and thereby solving the overexposure problem. But this will alter the design and possible look of the iPhone to a very small degree.
Well that’s my 2 cents worth.
I was thinking of becoming a doctor.
But the sight of blood upsets me and decided not to when I couldn’t get a black lab coat.
I was thinking of becoming a doctor.
But the sight of blood upsets me and decided not to when I couldn’t get a black lab coat.
Addendum
“I was thinking of becoming a doctor.
But the sight of blood upsets me and decided not to when I couldn’t get a black lab coat,”
A former pre-med student
Addendum
“I was thinking of becoming a doctor.
But the sight of blood upsets me and decided not to when I couldn’t get a black lab coat,”
A former pre-med student
“…because I’m a man?” hit-whore!
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“…because I’m a man?” hit-whore!
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Why does this Stevie Asshat cares about the white iPhone? He sounds pissed that he can’t get a white iPhone that he has to go rant about it.