If there's one company in the world who knows more about gripping phones than anyone else, it's Nokia -- you know, the creator and sole proprietor of
sidetalkin'. So on that note, you might want to sit up and pay attention to this little piece over on
Nokia Conversations detailing four popular grip styles that won't kill your signal, including the four-edge -- a work of art that we've attempted to demonstrate for you with limited success in the picture above. We totally buy the claim that this particular grip causes zero signal degradation in virtually any cellphone ever launched (the curious stares you get are just a bonus), but Nokia goes on to boast that "realistically, you're free to hold your Nokia device any way you like... and you won't suffer any signal loss." Thing is, hands have
never really gotten along with phone antennas -- see the shot of a Nokia user's manual explaining this phenomenon after the break, along with a video of an
E71 exhibiting some signal drama when touched the wrong way -- but seriously, just use the four-edge and you should be good to go. Come on, do it.
posted June 28th 2010 12:12PM
@ArticiaS
Who mentioned anything about an iPhone? I thought we were talking about 2 nokia devices
@Mr Lizard
We're talking about a Nokia device that switches from 3G to GSM in the video you showed above. It has nothing todo with the reception problem that Nokia describes in the blog as a reference to the recent iPhone hardware design failure.
@ArticiaS
I'm not so sure. I watched the video again, and the display continued to show 3G in the corner.
He held the phone in a particular way, and the bars went to zero. When he put it back on the table, the bars reappeared.
@Mr Lizard
Did the person with the phone disable the dual-mode setting on the phone?
Quite often in cases where 3G signal at 1900Mhz in the area he was in for example (carrier-dependent) then even simple walls will have detrimental effects on cell reception. But if the phone is able to drop down to EDGE it could still make a call and then switch back to 3G when coverage is better. But its still bad that his phone does that. Never had an issue like that with any other Nokia that I've owned.
1.7 million iPhones sold.....
With a startling defect..............
1.7 billion people entertained.
I suppose when they implemented multi-tasking, something had to be traded off. And from a corner of the meeting room, a Snapple Apple voice said :
Guys. Its simple. Let's just drop the call.
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/6720765
Contains foul language
Oh, the irony.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amPG52DVQuk
Nokia hasn't been relevant in the phone business since 2007. Sure, they move a ton of devices, but they're cheap devices they don't make any money on. Ultimately a smart business will take revenue over market share, which I guess explains why Nokia has gone the opposite direction.
@Perspective
Isn't symbian like 40% of the phone OS market? Also with iPhone only available in the US, what was the rest of the world using. Believe it or not, most of the world accepted smart-phones before the US did due to our carrier subsidy system.
I have a hard time believing that the dominance of android and iOS that we see in the US is a global trend. Id've agreed with you a few weeks ago, until a few comments of mine got down-ranked to oblivion and I went looking a little bit.
@someguy7234
Q. How did Nokia get 38% of the smartphone market in 2010?
A. By starting with 60% of the smartphone market in 2007.
LOL!
Shouldn't be that surprised Apple would wrap the antenna around the phone. They did something similar with the Magic Mouse. When companies got the word the rubber ball collected dust and dirt and went the "optical" direction, Apple determined the problem was the rubber ball should come in direct contact with your hand and put it on top the mouse.
We lost one in a bar.
Let's make 'em all lose some bars.
--
Sent from my iAmBad
Last video didn't work
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiJ2vB7-MYE
Why does my HTC Touch work just fine now matter how I hold it?
WHy do phones from all other makers work fine no matter you how you hold them?
Because the problem is an Iphone problem.
Because Iphone is poorly designed pile of crap.
@obobo Did you just completely miss all the previous posts of Nokia's E71 losing bars depending on your grip? And the discussions of the Nexus one having the same problem?
Or the Touch Pro 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Eo7uFtAKDY. Antenna appears to be at the top of the phone, which seems to be against FCC regs, but you should get the point that covering the antenna on *any* phone can degrade the signal.
The iPhone is not unique in this regard, and not everyone is seeing the problem with their units, protected or no. Some people may have units more susceptible to the skin contact, some may be like me, who can replicate the effect on many different phones, indicating my hands are more conductive, or something.
@Cromagazine
The severity of the issue is unique. Its also newsworthy as they made a big deal of their new antenna, and it basically doesnt work that well. Why are you defending such poor engineering? Attenuation always happens, also with Nokia phones, but the severity with these new Iphones is ridiculous.
@JFH Where do you get this idea of unique severity? Comparing the videos and the written descriptions of the issues with the iPhone and others, I see no evidence that the behavior differs greatly between each model. Unless you're saying there's a greater number of iPhones with this problem. Even so, I'd like to see that as a percentage of units, rather than raw figures, considering the sales volume over its short sales history.
I'm not condoning poor engineering, I'm objecting to the idea that this problem is solely an iPhone issue, and the ridiculous statements by some, like the idiot I replied to, that *no* other manufacturer has *ever* had this issue.
Chris, what was the point of this rubbish? Fancy your reception-less iPhone much?
Same thing happens on nokia phones too...
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/28/nokia_pokes_at_iphone_4_death_grip_gets_called_on_it.html
@Christopher02
So the phones mentioned as suffering from the problem are a 50 dollar nokia phone, the gimped e71x that noone in their right mind should buy and the E52 thats all but discontinued? Wow, you people really are desperate for something to show that apple isn't the only one with a problem.
Do you realize that there is a difference between doing something to deliberately that you know will kill the signal and holding the phone and the same happening?
In any case, Nokia isn't running around touting their antenna design as something remarkable and ground-breaking and revolutionary.
Apple was, and got a good deal of egg on their faces.
@Christopher02
That site is not only a waste of time, but its the most shallow rebuttal ever. Apple fucked up the antenna. Nokia is the undisputed champion of antennae. They have every right to make fun of them, and all they do is some banter. Nothing snarky. Stop defending poor engineering.
@JFH
Dude take a chill pill. Check the video posted in May of an E71 with the same problem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amPG52DVQuk&feature=player_embedded
On a Droid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk
On a Nexus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2g5J4qPp54
@Christopher02
The video of the E71 doesnt show how he is holding it when he starts to lose reception. Faraday cage anyone?
But hey it happens to everyone so its fine that apple touting their antenna as the solution to their dropped calls issue have a bit of egg on their faces for failing a significant percentage of their buyers?
@spartandre217
I'm sure apple isn't pleased with the negative press from this issue. And though I can get some bars to drop on my iPhone when I squeeze the bottom of the phone, I haven't had a dropped call yet.
So far I really love the device. If I wasn't on ATT I would have considered one of the many attractive android offerings, although I know I would have been jealous of those with the i4.
@Christopher02
I'm on AT&T waiting for the N8 or something better. Can't get a $50 nigh unlimited plan anywhere else. The AT&T dropped calls issue is iphone exclusive I can guarantee you that.
I can't get my 5800 to drop reception no matter how I hold it.
I'm somewhat jealous of iphone users for one reason, games.
@spartandre217
Nokia makes damn good phones. I've heard good things about the N series. I had a 6820 for a couple years while I was an undergrad: http://regmedia.co.uk/2004/06/01/nokia_messaging_phone.jpg
That was probably the best phone for texting I've ever used (though I'm finding I can type real fast on the iPhone's keyboard because of its excellent auto-correction)
@spartandre217
Wasn't the first release of the 5800 recalled due to reception issues?
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/02/28/nokia-5800-xpressmusic-nam-pulled-from-nyc-nokia-store/
I guess you could always take it back to the Nokia store.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B85GQ20091210
Well maybe not.
you know what nokia? I have your phone, the E71x, and it has the most crappy quality build to it! The software isnt even good! I am getting me a iPhone 4 right when my contract ends, so suck it!
@jimwinn
Liar.
@jimwinn
If you actually have an e71x then you should be shot for buying a nokia phone from a carrier. Further, the E71 has been hailed as the thinnest and probably best built Potrait QWERTY ever.
Signal or no signal, iPhone 4 is the best smartphone on the planet right now.
@grumpy old man
If it has no reception then its a MID, and/or gaming device, NOT a phone lol.
@spartandre217
My iPhone has great reception, in fact much better than the blackberry it replaced. Trying to replicate the "death grip" reduces my reception to what my blackberry usually read.
@Christopher02
I'm not saying that you don't :-P
Just saying that if it has crappy aka 0 reception its no longer a phone :-P
The reason other phone manufacturers and anyone not obsessed with Apple find the whole thing funny is that not only did Apple claim that their new 'innovative' antenna supposedly over come the problem, but when it was clear it didnt and in fact suffered worse than any other phone, they got all huffy about it..
People who buy Apple products have no self respect. Seriously its sad.
Dont companies like HTC and Nokia make about 20 or more handsets types each year, with different screen types , hardware , and form factors . So yea maybe one or two of their handsets have problems, Apple make a single type phone.
Most Nokia phones have had some of the best call quality in my opinion. The iphone 3GS was on the other hand not great, and now the iphone 4 seems to have gone backwards and has a large design fault.
Apple getting a taste of its own medicine, perhaps? Mac vs. PC, rmember?
Im still waiting for Steva Jobs to show us how to hold the Apple very expensive phone...2 fingers?
Hold your phone however you want..........just suffer signal loss if the antenna. Nokia......disappointing
Tried doing that on my Nokia E71x and it did work. oh-snap
I tried this out many times .. but didn't see any signal drop issue with my E71. This piece of phone just might be one piece-off.
nokia 1100 = $20
Iphone4 bumper = $30
For any phone there are going to be marginal signal conditions where you need to hold your phone as in the picture in order to get a stable connection. This is simply a consequence of the basic physics. So is this more frequent with the iPhone? That's a statistical question, and anecdotal complaints shed little light (especially now that everybody knows what is the worst-case grip position for the iPhone). So far, reviews from reliable sources seem to be finding that it is a minor issue, and that overall the iPhone has good reception, at least for AT&T.