New Iphone can do everything but make phone calls

[NoSaint]

Hardly appears unique to Apple. Just checked a few of them but they were all real. I guess iPhone gets noticed because it's the big boy. Meanwhile, it appears to happen to almost all phones.

 

 

 

* Samsung I9000 Galaxy S:

 

* HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag

 

* Samsung Galaxy 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

 

* Samsung Galaxy 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCQdYtPihg

 

* Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk

 

* Droid Incredible (With Network Extender in Room): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEQH...eature=related

 

* Nexus One:

 

* Nexus One vs. iPhone (start at 1:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvMoV4_C4aA

 

* Nexus One: http://posterous.com/getfile/files.p...n_-_iPhone.m4v

 

* Nexus One (after Google's update to correct):

 

* Nexus One:

 

* Android G1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDaxhjUs9M

 

* "Major signal degradation when Nexus One is picked up": http://www.google.com/support/forum/...9184c33e&hl=en

 

* BB Bold 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LWzVInwd4w

 

* BB Storm:

 

* BB Bold 9700:

 

* BB bold 9000: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAiKKiNlZ5g

 

* BB Tour:

 

* BB Curve:

 

* BB Curve 8900:

 

Not always the case but I really think a lot of the biggest bashers, for whatever reason, have never even held the new iphone. its a problem no doubt, but not near as uncommon as youd be led to believe among other phones, and REALLY easy to fix (hell, most would have never known as a large number use cases anyway). I have not had any problem with dropped calls pre or post purchase of my case.

[Fezmid]

Hardly appears unique to Apple. Just checked a few of them but they were all real. I guess iPhone gets noticed because it's the big boy. Meanwhile, it appears to happen to almost all phones.

 

* BB Bold 9700:

 

I checked the video for the Bold, and holding the phone didn't affect the signal strength at all. It dropped down a bar (and very briefly, two) when he gripped it tight, but it was very brief and seemed to recover to 5 bars quickly.

 

So not all of those are proving your point.

[Fingon]

Hardly appears unique to Apple. Just checked a few of them but they were all real. I guess iPhone gets noticed because it's the big boy. Meanwhile, it appears to happen to almost all phones.

 

 

 

* Samsung I9000 Galaxy S:

 

* HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag

 

* Samsung Galaxy 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

 

* Samsung Galaxy 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCQdYtPihg

 

* Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk

 

* Droid Incredible (With Network Extender in Room): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEQH...eature=related

 

* Nexus One:

 

* Nexus One vs. iPhone (start at 1:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvMoV4_C4aA

 

* Nexus One: http://posterous.com/getfile/files.p...n_-_iPhone.m4v

 

* Nexus One (after Google's update to correct):

 

* Nexus One:

 

* Android G1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDaxhjUs9M

 

* "Major signal degradation when Nexus One is picked up": http://www.google.com/support/forum/...9184c33e&hl=en

 

* BB Bold 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LWzVInwd4w

 

* BB Storm:

 

* BB Bold 9700:

 

* BB bold 9000: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAiKKiNlZ5g

 

* BB Tour:

 

* BB Curve:

 

* BB Curve 8900:

Hmm, i guess Apple's slogan should be:

 

The Iphone, just like every other phone.

[John Adams]

I checked the video for the Bold, and holding the phone didn't affect the signal strength at all. It dropped down a bar (and very briefly, two) when he gripped it tight, but it was very brief and seemed to recover to 5 bars quickly.

 

So not all of those are proving your point.

 

HE holds it, it goes down. Imagine it's your head on the other side of that phone when he covers it, because that's essentially the same thing. The bars will go down. So yours is like the iPhone. Filing a class action lawsuit soon?

 

I could make one of those vids and show how my iPhone doesn't react at all. Because it doesn't.

 

I looked at just a few of those videos. The one you looked at loses bars when held. So does the iPhone. The software issue where Apple's top two signal bars react to small changes probably didn't help their cause.

 

It's just funny how people are eager to throw stones at the top dog and it's clear that nearly every phone has the identical issue.

[Fezmid]

HE holds it, it goes down.

He holds it like a phone, it doesn't go down.

 

He holds it so that it's unusable, it goes down a bar..

 

Not quite the same thing as far as I can tell, although you're right that it's just a single data point and like you pointed out, nothing happens on your iPhone when held either.

[John Adams]

He holds it like a phone, it doesn't go down.

 

He holds it so that it's unusable, it goes down a bar..

 

Not quite the same thing as far as I can tell, although you're right that it's just a single data point and like you pointed out, nothing happens on your iPhone when held either.

 

When he holds it normally face up, it oscillates between full and partial power.

 

He holds it with his hand around front and back, it goes down. When a person holds it, the hand covers the back. The head covers the face. Pretty similar to the way he held it when the signal went down.

 

The point is that no matter what phone you have, covering the antenna makes the signal drop. It got more attention with the iPhone because the software shows the antenna strength improperly and because there are so damn many of them.

 

I have had what seems to be improved signal strength with mine. And that's even using overtaxed AT&T.

 

I can't imagine holding the iPhone in the way that is supposed to get a signal drop. Right or left handed, my hand never wraps around that corner of the phone.

[Chilly]

It's just funny how people are eager to throw stones at the top dog and it's clear that nearly every phone has the identical issue.

 

Define "top dog"

[John Adams]

Define "top dog"

 

One of the best-selling phones on earth.

[linksfiend]

Jason Lohn, a professor of electrical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, said the competing phones Apple used in its videos "don't have the antenna's bare metal exposed to the hand, so I'd be surprised if the effect of the hand would be as pronounced as it was on the iPhone 4."

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/artic...mpts-new-debate

[NoSaint]

I'm throwing it out there again, are any of the people upset in this thread iPhone owners? It seems everyone that has claimed ownership (note: didn't read all 7pgs) has been happy and sans major issue. If you have posted repeatedly and don't have one, do you mind if I ask why? I know that may read hostile, but I'm really just curious. Like I said I have a friend that is gung ho anti apple and doesn't really have a reason - I'm just curious why phone choice has such strong opinions.

[The Dean]

I'm throwing it out there again, are any of the people upset in this thread iPhone owners? It seems everyone that has claimed ownership (note: didn't read all 7pgs) has been happy and sans major issue. If you have posted repeatedly and don't have one, do you mind if I ask why? I know that may read hostile, but I'm really just curious. Like I said I have a friend that is gung ho anti apple and doesn't really have a reason - I'm just curious why phone choice has such strong opinions.

 

 

Are you suggesting the people who have complained to Apple about their phones don't own them?

[Chilly]

One of the best-selling phones on earth.

 

Worldwide market share:

 

1.) Nokia (35%)

2.) Samsung (20.6%)

3.) LG (8.6%)

4.) RIM (3.4%)

5.) Sony Ericsson (3.1%)

6.) Motorola (3.0%)

7.) Apple (2.7%)

8.) ZTE (1.7%)

9.) G-Five (1.4%)

10.) Huawei (1.3%)

 

If it happens on RIM's phones (and flagship Blackberry Bold 2), like you say it does, and people like to "throw stones at the top dog", then why isn't RIM taking more heat for it? Or Samsung, with their 20.6% market share?

[Fingon]

I'm throwing it out there again, are any of the people upset in this thread iPhone owners? It seems everyone that has claimed ownership (note: didn't read all 7pgs) has been happy and sans major issue. If you have posted repeatedly and don't have one, do you mind if I ask why? I know that may read hostile, but I'm really just curious. Like I said I have a friend that is gung ho anti apple and doesn't really have a reason - I'm just curious why phone choice has such strong opinions.

I own two Ipods, with one being a mini-Ipad, and I will not hesitate to show my disgust for the company. My beef is their draconian application policies, apple tax, arrogance, and mindlessly obsessed fan boys.

 

I consider myself to not be beholden to any one tech company, rather I try and buy the best that is out there. I own a Windows gaming rig, HP laptop, Ipod touch, Ipod nano, Xbox 360, PS3, Linux netbook, and Blackberry Tour.

 

I'm looking for devices that are well priced (no ridiculously huge markups like Macs or store bought HDMI cables) and work well. If i was interested in a status symbol or being "hip" I would buy more Apple products, but price vs performance greatly trumps style, in my book.

[Chilly]

Jason Lohn, a professor of electrical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, said the competing phones Apple used in its videos "don't have the antenna's bare metal exposed to the hand, so I'd be surprised if the effect of the hand would be as pronounced as it was on the iPhone 4."

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/artic...mpts-new-debate

 

Yup. There's a reason why the iPhone is taking the heat - it's more pronounced due to the antenna being on the outside. There also hasn't been a reaction by RIM's, Samsung's, etc's customers complaining about their particular phones. If that were to happen, the tech sites would be all over it (they haven't been treating RIM any nicer lately than they've treated Apple).

[NoSaint]

Are you suggesting the people who have complained to Apple about their phones don't own them?

 

It just seems like a 7 pg debate between actual users saying things are fine, and nonusers telling them they are wrong. That doesn't seem strange to you? If someone had a negative experience with it, I wouldn't discount it. Any new tech has issues, and with mine, and many others style of use the issue really isn't existent. What I find odd is all the nonusers posting articles etc about a phone they don't have and don't want.

 

I'm far from a fan boy- iPhone is all I own from apple. It has worked well and I have had each version since the initial offering. I have no real loyalty to apple, it's just been the best phone on AT&T in my opinion and that's what I have a contract through. At this point I'm more interested in the psych of the bashing then the tech being offered up.

[Acantha]

Worldwide market share:

 

1.) Nokia (35%)

2.) Samsung (20.6%)

3.) LG (8.6%)

4.) RIM (3.4%)

5.) Sony Ericsson (3.1%)

6.) Motorola (3.0%)

7.) Apple (2.7%)

8.) ZTE (1.7%)

9.) G-Five (1.4%)

10.) Huawei (1.3%)

 

If it happens on RIM's phones (and flagship Blackberry Bold 2), like you say it does, and people like to "throw stones at the top dog", then why isn't RIM taking more heat for it? Or Samsung, with their 20.6% market share?

Those are companies, not phones. I have no idea how the iPhone sells compared to other individual phones, and I don't really care, but your post didn't have anything to do with what he said.

[billsrcursed]

It just seems like a 7 pg debate between actual users saying things are fine, and nonusers telling them they are wrong. That doesn't seem strange to you? If someone had a negative experience with it, I wouldn't discount it. Any new tech has issues, and with mine, and many others style of use the issue really isn't existent. What I find odd is all the nonusers posting articles etc about a phone they don't have and don't want.

 

I'm far from a fan boy- iPhone is all I own from apple. It has worked well and I have had each version since the initial offering. I have no real loyalty to apple, it's just been the best phone on AT&T in my opinion and that's what I have a contract through. At this point I'm more interested in the psych of the bashing then the tech being offered up.

 

Nope, you're actually pretty dead on. Things like this always turn into a "fanboy vs. hater" type of thread. Not just here, either.

 

The iphone4 is my first Apple product, and I absolutely love it. It's been perfect since the first time I turned it on, zero issues. I hope those who have had issues can find a solution, though...

[Chilly]

Those are companies, not phones. I have no idea how the iPhone sells compared to other individual phones, and I don't really care, but your post didn't have anything to do with what he said.

 

He implicated *every* single RIM phone they've made since the Bold, which they released in November, 2008. If you're looking at popular phones that potentially had the problem over that long of a timeframe, then the only easily available measure that I know of is current market share.

 

This means that while looking at it as an individual phone from an Apple perspective might make sense, it doesn't when you start comparing it to other manufacturers, who release more phones, more often. It's an Apple to oranges comparison to take it at the individual-phone level.

[Acantha]

He implicated *every* single RIM phone they've made since the Bold, which they released in November, 2008. If you're looking at popular phones that potentially had the problem over that long of a timeframe, then the only easily available measure that I know of is current market share.

 

This means that while looking at it as an individual phone from an Apple perspective might make sense, it doesn't when you start comparing it to other manufacturers, who release more phones, more often. It's an Apple to oranges comparison to take it at the individual-phone level.

But you're comparing one thing to make a point about another. Comparing the companies sales doesn't have anything to do with how well individual phones sell and why one particular phone would become the target of a smear campaign (not my opinion).

 

The iPhone is the most recognizable smartphone in the US right now. Whether it's the best or not isn't the point, it's the phone that every other phone is compared to. Saying that it is "top dog" is dead on, and it's also very accurate to say that there is a large, very vocal group that has to tear down everything that is considered to be the best. People hate Microsoft because Windows is so big (and therefore the target of virus' etc...), though when the Playstation got so big it became the bad guy and the X-Box was the only way to go (Microsoft hatred forgotten). As far as computers, stay away from Windows and get the Mac; Apple is the good guy. Until of course the iPhone becomes the picture of "trend" and now it's the devil. These are just a very few examples, but the whole XXXX is big and powerful and bad is annoying to me.

[Chilly]

It just seems like a 7 pg debate between actual users saying things are fine, and nonusers telling them they are wrong. That doesn't seem strange to you? If someone had a negative experience with it, I wouldn't discount it. Any new tech has issues, and with mine, and many others style of use the issue really isn't existent. What I find odd is all the nonusers posting articles etc about a phone they don't have and don't want.

 

I'm far from a fan boy- iPhone is all I own from apple. It has worked well and I have had each version since the initial offering. I have no real loyalty to apple, it's just been the best phone on AT&T in my opinion and that's what I have a contract through. At this point I'm more interested in the psych of the bashing then the tech being offered up.

 

And it seems like you're willing to extract your personal use case to everyone else. Right now, I think there are a few things that are proven, and a lot of anecdotal evidence.

 

Here's what it seems like we do know:

 

1.) The way a human holds a phone can interfere with the way the antenna operates

2.) FCC rules regulations cause antennas to be placed in a non-ideal spot

3.) External antennas can exaggerate the effect of the way a person holds the phone on the antenna

4.) Not every person holds the phone that way

5.) Some (unspecified) number of people are reporting problems

6.) Some (unspecified) number of people are using the phone without any issue

 

What we don't know:

 

1.) The number of people actually having problems

2.) That everyone having problems is solely because of the antenna (I'm inclined to believe signal strength has a lot to do with it)

3.) How this number compares to previous iPhone designs

4.) How this number compares to phones made by other manufacturers

5.) Of the people having these problems, how big of an impact it actually is on their phone satisfaction

 

Unfortunately, without all that data, it's hard to have an informed opinion. I'd think that the only group that has enough of that data to know is Apple, but it's hard to judge from their behavior as a lot of it could just be PR based.

 

Personally, I feel like a large number of iPhone 4 owners are extrapolating their experience for the entire group, potentially underestimating the impact of it. I also think that the issue is a lot more complicated than the way the media is framing it (surprise), so it's hard to get a real understanding of the impact of the problem. I do think there is a design flaw, but the impact of that flaw is so cloudy at this point, I have no idea what it is.

 

BTW, I'm typing this from my MacBook Pro