Steve Jobs: iPhone 4 Antenna Problem a "Non Issue," You're Holding it Wrong
Steve Jobs: iPhone 4 Antenna Problem a "Non Issue," You're Holding it Wrong
Posted 06/25/2010 at 7:34am
| by Paul Lilly
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Having recpetion woes with your new iPhone 4? Don't blame the device, you're just doing it wrong, suggests Steve Jobs and the rest of the Cupertino gang, who dismissed the reception complaints as a "non-issue."
"Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas," Apple said int a statement. "This is a fact of life for every wireless phone.
"If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of the many available cases."
The above statement is an expanded version of Steve Jobs' initial answer to an email asking what Apple plans to do about the signal dropping issue. Short and to the point, Jobs simply stated, "Non issue. Just avoid holding it that way."
Spencer Webb, an antenna designer, goes into a bit more detail on his blog, explaining that the iPhone 4 has two symmetrical slots in the stainless frame. When covered, the antenna performance inevitably suffers, he says.
"There is no way around this, it's a design compromise that is forced by the requirements of the FCC, AT&T, Apple's marketing department, and Apple's industrial designers, to name a few."
Caveat emptor.
More like this
Meatgrinder
June 28, 2010 at 6:48am
iPhone 2G. I still haz it. Because it's got a metal back and I drop-kicked the shit out of it (accidently) at least twenty times, sometimes onto pavement or concrete. And it never breaks. Sure a dent here or there and a crack in the plastic, but going on 3 years now. I thought people who bought the 3G were rubes. The 3GS - there was some justification for buying it (the processing speed in the 2G is maddening sometimes).
It's not the antenna that bugs me about the new phone though , it's the fact the front and back are made of glass. Dumb. Like monumentally dumb. People will still buy the shit, probably even me because I want GPS and a good camera, blah blah. But I'm definitely getting the manliest case I can get for it, or insurance. I've never liked cases and thought people who bought cases smoke a lot of pole. Same goes for holsters. "Hey, I'd like to smoke your pole. How'd I know you would like it? You have an iPhone holster."
Caboose
June 28, 2010 at 7:58am
Why not get an Android phone, and free yourself from Apple's strangle hold. Unless you enjoy being Steve Job's bitch...
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Caboose
June 27, 2010 at 8:03pm
*buddhist
And what does that have to do with anything? This a karma related statement?
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Zachary K.
June 27, 2010 at 5:21pm
everyone is wrong but me!!! you are the ones doing it wrong!!! now, mac fan, tell me....why are you not kissing my ass!!! 3 months of windows for you!
it is only a matter of time before he is sent to the nut house.
Caboose
June 26, 2010 at 11:07am
I wonder what the mactard sheeple say about this...
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Mark17
June 26, 2010 at 6:26pm
They say: "Stop holding it wrong."
What would expect them to say? They're sheeple and Steve Jobs is their leader. So as far they know, anything Jobs says must be true.
WayneW
June 26, 2010 at 9:38am
Simple work-a-round-
Just tape a popcycle stick to it for a handle.
Problem solved.
TheElite1x721987
June 26, 2010 at 8:22am
Weird...because I can hold my Samsung Omnia anyway I want and I get the same signal strength. I'm pretty sure they had to follow those same FCC rules right? In all honesty, my phone DOES have a sticker on the bottom middle on the back that says "internal antenna area avoid contact for best performance" . However, I always touch that area while holding it and it doesn't seem to do anything.
Hey Steve, my crappy Windows Mobile phone does something better then your iPhone. I can actually make phone calls on it.
Talcum X
June 26, 2010 at 6:48am
The're Appholes!
***********
Every morning is the dawn of a new error.
"In Ireland, there are more drunks per capita than people." - Peter Griffin
yardGNOME
June 26, 2010 at 3:50am
Totally off-base here, but doesn't Steve Jobs look like he is transforming into a Revanent from the Doom series????
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm
not sure about the former.
M-ManLA
June 25, 2010 at 7:00pm
And people wonder why I don't buy too many Apple products. I'm a southpaw too.
Electronically charged
imagonex
June 25, 2010 at 1:52pm
Apple's official stance on this is...
Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.
(Available on DailyTech website.)
MAXIMUMPC should conduct a test on other products, such as the Blackberry, Droid and others, to see how they fare against the iPhone.
I think a lot of people will have the natural tendency to hold this 4th generation model with the bottom in their palm. Honestly, I think this is an epic fail considering it's a 4th generation and it cost $200US or more.
stradric
June 25, 2010 at 1:35pm
This is so Apple. This is part of their core beliefs. Everything they do is perfect, until they make it better. If you need more than one mouse button, your application is too complicated... until Apple gives you a multi-button mouse. If you're not getting a signal with your perfect phone, you must be holding it wrong... until Apple releases the new iPhone 4a that fixes that issue (and millions of idiots line up in sweltering heat for hours to purchase at $500).
sammy_sam
June 25, 2010 at 1:50pm
Mark17 your right:
Crapple has a "bumper" product out that will help with reception for $29!!!
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC597ZM/A?afid=p210|frgl&cid=AOS-US-SHOP-Froogle
Unbelievable
Glycerin
June 25, 2010 at 4:07pm
"It's a fun and unique way to personalize your iPhone 4."
If everyone buys it, how is it unique? How is putting a piece of rubber around your phone fun? Please Apple, tell us about other "FUN" (and retarded) ways you can try to take our money!!
This is exactly why I stopped supporting Apple (not that I ever bought a Mac cuz I HATE Macs, but I bought an iPod). You release a product for a shitload of money, and when it has problems, you blame the CONSUMER? Oh HELL NO you best not be telling me that i'm holding your piece of shit phone wrong, and thats why it doesn't work! Go to hell Steve "Gives" Handjobs.
—ANTI-APPLE—
Glycerin
June 25, 2010 at 4:05pm
"It's a fun and unique way to personalize your iPhone 4."
If everyone buys it, how is it unique? How is putting a piece of rubber around your phone fun? Please Apple, tell us about other "FUN" (and retarded) ways you can try to take our money!!
This is exactly why I stopped supporting Apple (not that I ever bought a Mac cuz I HATE Macs, but I bought an iPod). You release a product for a shitload of money, and when it has problems, you blame the CONSUMER? Oh HELL NO you best not be telling me that i'm holding your piece of shit phone wrong, and thats why it doesn't work! Go to hell Steve "Gives" Handjobs.
—ANTI-APPLE—
Mark17
June 25, 2010 at 2:24pm
That is unbelievable. I just read the MaximumPC review of the iPhone and apparently that "bumber" thing fixes the problem. I think it's truly unbelievable that they could release a product like the iPhone 4 and have a huge problem like that. Just give them $29 dollars and the problem is solved. Again, wow.
fiXXer
June 25, 2010 at 12:12pm
As tapple said, I've never had this type of issue with any of my phones. Currently have BB Curve via Verizon and I have signal in places most people don't. For Jobs to say his customers are getting the basic functionality of their PHONE wrong is unbelievable.
I have an iPod but that's the only piece of Apple hardware I own. No more for me!
Shadai
June 25, 2010 at 11:48am
If you're holding it your left hand, we failed.
Did everyone turn off their wifi?
Steve
Sent from my Mac (iPhone AND iPad have no coverage)
Mark17
June 25, 2010 at 11:04am
In a few weeks they will probably release an accessory like an external antenna to attach to it. Don't worry though, it will probably only cost $39.99.
steakkills
June 25, 2010 at 10:21am
This is why apple makes so much money. they make a somewhat good device first then make it better and yet more better and then just get lazy and go to the Pub
Mark17
June 25, 2010 at 10:28am
If they made it perfect, then how could they make it better the next time?
Foxfire15
June 25, 2010 at 10:20am
From an IT stand point, that might be the worst possible way to respond to that issue. As a lefty, and someone who drives a manaul vehical, I don't hold the phone in my right hand. ever. You never EVER tell customers "you're doing it wrong" when the problem is an obvious design flaw in your product >_<. This is a deal killer for me EVER buying an iPhone.
___
Quando omni flunkus moritati / If all else fails, play dead.
don2041
June 25, 2010 at 10:18am
DOES THIS MEAN I NEED TO STAND ON MY HEAD WHILE JUGGLING 6 MACS TO GET A SIGNAL
Havok
June 25, 2010 at 10:08am
Was I the only person who never heard the words 'it just works' when they were talking about the iPhone 4? I would hate to see what happens when you put the damn thing in a protective case!
YES! This post made it through the Spam Filter!
Mark17
June 25, 2010 at 10:27am
You didn't read the disclaimer.
iPhone 4 "It just works."*
* Doesn't actually work.
bathtbgin
June 25, 2010 at 9:45am
If you want to want to make phone calls with your iPhone 4, just stop being left handed, problem solved.
bling581
June 25, 2010 at 9:33am
I have severe problems with connection on my 3GS, so this article is no surprise and rather disapointing. I had no issues with my Razer or work cell where I live with Verizon, but I'm lucky to get half to a full bar of signal strength with my iPhone. I walk outside and bam, full signal. I'm constantly getting dropped or can't talk to people because they cut out. Sorry Steve, but after my contract is up in a year and a half :( I'm switching to the Droid.
tapple
June 25, 2010 at 9:25am
Holy sh*t. In no way that I hold my HTC Incredible, or held my G1, or HTC Wizard, or HTC 2125, or three different Black berries (2 pearls and a curve), does it/did it ever make the signal drop from near perfect to nearly no signal. Wow, Steve Jobs has dropped into a new level of douchbaggery.
Elric
June 25, 2010 at 8:49am
What did you expect, it can't be the iPhone's fault. It's perfect, therefore by process of elimination, it's YOUR fault. :)
Glycerin
June 25, 2010 at 8:46am
So you have to hold the thing a certain way to make it work? Haha have fun with that! Steve you are such a douche!
ANTI-APPLE
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