iPhone 4 Super Thread: iOS 4.2 Released. Find my iPhone now free

[QuadCityImages]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

Not to say that this technical issue isn't way overblown, but are people really going to call applecare for an issue that is so well known that it is the butt of late night jokes?

Exactly. If a tree takes out power to a neighborhood, and only one person out of 20 calls in, does it mean the power isn't out, or that everyone assumes someone else already called?

The press conference was about what I expected though. Not fully admitting much, but throwing people a bone. I don't really see this getting them off the late night monologues though.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by nfotiu

http://news.cnet.com/ATT-Wireless-ow..._3-947069.html

sounds like 1%-2% is the ballpark.

Using that number, plus Steve J's, you'd get a 50-100% increase in dropped calls vs old iphone.

This really shows how slight variations in the statistic you're using can be used to frame it in a more positive or negative light. If it drops 1 more call per 100, the user IS 1% more likely to have a dropped call. That is completely accurate.

On the other hand you are framing it as the percentage increase, which is much worse sounding. If the old phone dropped .1 calls per 100 vs. now it is 1 call per hundred, that is a 1000% increase. But still only 1% of calls are actually dropped.

[FanIn80]

I'd like to see some per-capita stats. I'd bet there are less dropped calls than the 3GS once you factor out NYC (which is where the majority of the dropped calls from bridging the antenna are coming from).

[Redliner]

I think this whole thing has been massively overblown. Maybe the thing doesn't have perfect reception, but neither has any cellphone I have ever owned - LGs, Motorolas, Nokias, the works. I currently have an LG Shine (all metal) and if I am in an outlying area the quality of the reception does vary depending how I hold the phone. Same thing happened with the Moto RAZR - if you held it along the bottom the reception took a nosedive. Bottom line - they're cellphones. You're talking through the air.

I have never owned an iPhone and I'll be buying the iPhone 4. It's just too cool not to - and besides, Stevie says I get a free case.

[Roast Beef]

Originally Posted by Redliner

I think this whole thing has been massively overblown. Maybe the thing doesn't have perfect reception, but neither has any cellphone I have ever owned.

Yes it has been overblown but Steve Jobs and Apple's initial response were the equivalent of throwing water on a grease fire. "You're holding it wrong" is not an acceptable answer from a junior tech intern let alone the CEO of the company. This issue could be caused by poor quality control due to having to manufacture so many units in such a limited time. It could be a design flaw. Either way I think this issue will sort itself out in later production runs of the phone. Either the quality control will get better, or they will fix the issue by moving the gap in the antennas to a different spot, or cover the antenna with a clear non-conductive coating.

Stevie Boy only has himself to blame on this one.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by Redliner

I think this whole thing has been massively overblown. Maybe the thing doesn't have perfect reception, but neither has any cellphone I have ever owned - LGs, Motorolas, Nokias, the works.

You sound a lot like Steve.

Yes, our phone has issues but so does everyone else.

And I have no idea what they did to the BB he was holding, but no one over at CrackBerry can duplicate the bar drop issue holding their phone any damn way, so me thinks Jobs was twisting the truth a bit.

RIM's official statement regarding Apple dragging them into this: http://crackberry.com/rim-official-s...nna-propaganda

One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.

[Russic]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

You sound a lot like Steve.

Yes, our phone has issues but so does everyone else.

And I have no idea what they did to the BB he was holding, but no one over at CrackBerry can duplicate the bar drop issue holding their phone any damn way, so me thinks Jobs was twisting the truth a bit.

RIM's official statement regarding Apple dragging them into this: http://crackberry.com/rim-official-s...nna-propaganda

I understand what apple was doing by saying that other phones have the problem too, but by focusing so hard on them (and showing video), the are perhaps inviting competitors to respond and as a result create a negative campaign against them. It may have been better to just say "this problem can be reproduced on any cell phone" and leave it at that.

This problem was also exasperated by steve being quick to comment stupidly. It's great that a CEO can be as accessible as he's been lately, but when it comes to damage control that kind of stuff is often best left to PR people. This problem didn't get off the ground until Steve offered his "solutions".

[photon]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

And I have no idea what they did to the BB he was holding, but no one over at CrackBerry can duplicate the bar drop issue holding their phone any damn way, so me thinks Jobs was twisting the truth a bit.

RIM's official statement regarding Apple dragging them into this: http://crackberry.com/rim-official-s...nna-propaganda

Jobs has even got CP users twisting the truth!

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...&postcount=661

Water attenuates a radio signal, we're bags of water, physics doesn't change because you're one phone maker vs. another.

[kobafett]

Originally Posted by photon

Jobs has even got CP users twisting the truth!

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...&postcount=661

Water attenuates a radio signal, we're bags of water, physics doesn't change because you're one phone maker vs. another.

To be fair I only have the Curve 8900 and I'm probably a bigger bag of water than most people. I'm a fan of the blackberry but I don't think think they are perfect. Just google "blackberry dropped calls" to see they have their own share of problems.

I think the real test of how wide spread the iphone problem is will be the return rate now that Steve Jobs pretty much just publicly told everyone if you don't like it return it. I would think that if the issue is as bad as the media says people would be returning their phones.

[photon]

I agree, I think the point that a lot of people didn't call in or return their phones because of the media coverage of this has some validity.. unfortunately unless it's a HUGE percentage we'll never know what the real numbers are. The call rate could be triple and the return rate could be double that of the 3GS and Apple would probably still continue on the path they've taken.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by kobafett

I'm a fan of the blackberry but I don't think think they are perfect. Just google "blackberry dropped calls" to see they have their own share of problems.

Well, also to be fair, no one said that BB's were indeed perfect. It's a cell phone, of course you will get dropped calls from time to time. I'm amazed quite frankly they work as well as they do (all cell phones).

Point was, Apple, it's your issue, leave others out of it. Mudslinging like this drives me crazy.

[Azure]

More I think about it, more the whole 'free case' thing is ridiculous.

.05% of users have a problem, therefore we're going to appease the other 99.5% and give them free cases.

Because there is no problem, and we're not perfect. But you're still holding it the wrong way.

[Azure]

RIM responding.

"Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple."

[OilKiller]

Um, didn't you see my post above Azure?

[kyuusei]

Originally Posted by Azure

More I think about it, more the whole 'free case' thing is ridiculous.

.05% of users have a problem, therefore we're going to appease the other 99.5% and give them free cases.

Because there is no problem, and we're not perfect. But you're still holding it the wrong way.

.05% of users reported the problem. I bet a lot didn't even call AppleCare, just went to whine and bitch on forums, etc. instead. Or right to AT&T. Or, people are only experiencing the problem some of the time, or not as bad, etc. and just didn't think it was bad enough to call Apple.

Still it's a problem enough that's given Apple a lot of bad press so I guess this is their way of doing some damage control...

[Azure]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Um, didn't you see my post above Azure?

I didn't actually.

Sorry.

[silentsim]

Cant wait till i can pre order the unlocked iPhone 4 on the apple canada site

I was able to replicate the death grip on my bold 9700 work phone in the past, but only in areas with awful reception.

[FlamesKickAss]

any word on when we can preorder from Rogers?

[mykalberta]

Very low ball of Apple to mention someone else's device at their press conference, classless one might say. For my work Bb Curve I dont need a case and it works fine.

[silentsim]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

any word on when we can preorder from Rogers?

They have not done preorders in the past, so rumor is they might not do them. Never know though. Apple.ca will only pre order the unlocked unsubsidized models.