RIM co-CEOs pull no punches responding to Apple's antenna statements
By Chris Ziegler 
posted July 17th 2010 12:56AM
posted July 17th 2010 12:56AM
Here's the full statement:
"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."
@Skizem
Just like you won't see it on an iPhone 4 when in a strong reception area.
@hill60 My point was that I don't see the issue on my Bold, in either strong or weak signal areas. When I worked in the wireless industry doing network development, I don't ever remember having to test 'various ways customer is possibly holding the phone' as part of our set-up on new towers....
Bazinga!
sue!
@webmastir
wheres samsung and HTC to continue to bite the apple?
Done and done.
Werd
This is how competition works. EVERY company that has competition tries to up their product. People need to get over the huge hype of a product and just realize that Apple isn't the only company that cannot make mistakes. JEEZ people!
@dahveed
There's no problem with the mistakes they commit as long as they humbly apologize instead of bringing other companies down with it. Also faking tests is not a nice thing to do if you want your customers' trust. Seriously, Steve's still a kid. A rich, spoiled kid with low EQ and no manners.
ok look at it this way, would you rather have a phone that you could take the case off of if you get tired of it, or have a phone that needed a case at all times...kinda like a bandaid. i pick android sorry apple, you just pissed me off too much today
Amen.
Bravo RIM. Bravo. Now, let's get it on!
People should except other phone do it too. The iPhone 4 is the greatest phone ever. Apple loves us and RIM is dying. See now I'll get the lowest rank for this topic. HAHAHAHA
So after the "deathgrip" demo, are you guys basically saying that's not how regular human beings hold their phone?
If those videos are fake, go ahead and sue Apple. Unfortunately they can't.
@Ben64 Before threatening to sue Apple, these other companies should challenge them to reveal their methodology and test environment as this simply an issue that people have been reporting on those other phones beyond videos showing a bar or two of reduced coverage rather than the 4-5 apple can supposedly manage.
There's a RIM->Jobs joke in here somewhere, I can feel it.
The only way it could be improved upon is if he added "YO MAMA" at the end.
My BB Tour is a champ when it comes to reception, regardless of how I hold it. Suck it, Apple.
@Astaroth
And your phone sucks balls compared to iPhone, and those guys all get a free case whether they have the issue or not. (and it looks like only 2% do!)
Hate all you want, but that's a sweet deal.
I mean, seriously, people still us BB?
@angstwad
The phone works as it was designed, which is more than you can say about the iPhone 4. You'd expect that to be a basic element of the most hyped phone in history (after the original iPhone).
@Astaroth
Problem is most iPhone users don't use their iPhones as a.. well.. a phone, so Apple doesn't recognize that this really is a widespread issue. Heh.
@angstwad
BB are for suits. Big guns that make 7 figures a year. iPhones are for regular joe's that don't care about signal drops, play games and listen to their rap music all day long. I am totally the later and I totally understand how big a deal is for suits dropping a call on an important client if using the iPhone 4. The reality is RIM is really better and more reliable for suits. iPhones are boys' toy. Just look at the percentage of rich ppl and u'll understand what I'm saying. Rich ppl don't play with their phones. They make money with it. Their toys are more sophisticated. FYI, that is women.
@andyusa
Keep thinking what you've been told to think.
@Astaroth
LOL, just a theory of course. But obviously there's some truth in it.
@Astaroth
I kinda sorta agree. I think that most business people do use BlackBerries, but I think the iPhone 4 is geared to those who want to have a simplistic experience and use their smartphone as an entertainment all in one device, and to occasionally make calls.
Wait... Blackberry's are smartphones?? Wow I really am out of the loop on RIM these days
@zoedge
Yeah it's a smartphone. It's so smart that you can enter a series of numbers on it, then it will connect to the identified recipient, and from that point on you can actually hear their voice. SERIOUSLY! I am not joking. I forgot what the app was called. But I know Apple doesnt have this yet. Rim, HTC, and Palm names this particular app "a call" and let's you have real conversations, it's something society does no-a-days.
Skizem:
You didn't read the "live blog postings" very well. As was stated during the conference, the test were all conducted in areas with marginal signal strength. At no time did anyone claim that in areas of robust signal, the phones would drop the same number of bars. Maybe you need to work on your reading (or maybe you should go to the source instead of simply skimming blog postings as you did).
Regarding the statement by these clowns, if all they bring is a statement then they are admitting what Apple is saying is true. After all, if what Apple is saying is false, RIM will have no trouble going to court and getting a preliminary injunction barring Apple from using the Bold on its site as it has. But that suit isn't coming, because let's face it, RIM can't afford to get into a legal battle with Apple, what with its flagging business and all.
@Perspective no facts please...
I can't wait to see the next round of RIM & Nokia Vs. Apple. I hope they kick Jobs ass.
Now we need Google/HTC statement and we will be good to go!
@AlienSix
I think it's not worth Eric's time fighting back at his ex-company's claim. Eric had a much higher EQ is Jobs' definitely not worth his time. He doesn't need to speak a word, everybody knew Jobs's claims aren't trustworthy enough to give a damn about it. "Engineered glass" my ass, I'm surprised no one ask steve about this ultra durable and super scratch resistant glass they're selling.
i own a blackberry and a iphone.
1. rim should never use the word innovative and their design in the same sentence. all their phones are the same excluding the storm, flip and the new slider.
2. lighten up stop acting like a bunch of freakin high school kids.
3. u say u dont need a case for the antenna to work, well i do need to pull the battery to fix anything on the phone
@RileyFreeman :
[quote]1. rim should never use the word innovative and their design in the same sentence. all their phones are the same excluding the storm, flip and the new slider.[/quote]
And Apple makes HOW many phones again?
[quote]2. lighten up stop acting like a bunch of freakin high school kids.[/quote]
..says the guy leaving the blatant fanboi comment.
[quote]3. u say u dont need a case for the antenna to work, well i do need to pull the battery to fix anything on the phone[/quote]
That didn't even make any sense. Nice bit of self-ownage there, Einstein.
@RileyFreeman 1) When they says innovated, I think they're referring to antenna designs
2) I believe this was handled quite mature, don't see how they're acting like a bunch of "high school kids". Something like this could hurt their reputation and I'd be frustrated if a company compared their own issue to that of mine.
3)Never had that problem with my old BB, but it was a irritating phone, so I feel your pain. lol
@psycros you sir are an idiot. How can i be a fanboy when i own both phones on 2 active lines. I have had a blackberry for 2 years. starting wiht the pearl 8130 for about 2 weeks, then the curve 8330 until the tour 9630 came out in approx august then switched to the 9700 in december.
i have had an iphone 3gs since feb. and prior to that i was windows mobile. if anything THATS where my allegiance is. i am just waiting on windows mobile 7.
no fanboy comment. something idiots say when someone gives an opinion opposite to theres.
u try to bring up the fact i laugh at rim saying innovate as all their phones look the same. are you going to seriously say apple hasnt accomplished more in the few years they have been around compared to rim? like the storm isnt trying to copy apple's success? wheres the qwerty iphone trying to copy rim's success? yea thanks. sit down. shoot apple had HTML email enabled BEFORE RIM. thats rim's specialty. oh and im in the land of rim. waterloo is about an hour from toronto canada where i live.
next. number 2 was stupid and i already addressed it.
number 3. it didnt make sense probably cuz u dont own a blackberry. anyone that owns a blackberry knows when something goes wrong, u gotta do a battery pull to fix it.
@EggoEspada if you use a rim product, you wont be swayed by what apple shows you. you will go based on what you know. i dont think this has any effect on rim. especially since the videos on their website display the same effects on about 3 other phones.
in the end i think at&t crappy network is mostly to blame for this. that guy that unlocked the iphone 4 from canada. he has one and he said no issues. iphoneincanada.ca tried to replicate the issue and could not.
i dont even like apple. i think they are control egotistical company. but the fact remains i think this whole antenna issue is ridiculous and blown out of proportion.
Sucker PUNCH in the PAAAYYCEEE!!! (Sorry, I recently spoke to my friend who has a P/F problem).
Looking forward to hearing why their "industry-leading wireless data products" were unable to defy the laws of physics, as demonstrated.
@Geshpenst iPhone 4 has two separate issues, the others only have the one issue (that all phones have).
Pay attention to the demos, by the way. Some of the grips they were using aren't comfortable ways to hold a phone. That's the big difference, iPhone 4 doesn't have to be put in a death grip since the weak spot is at the surface and poorly-placed at that.
I would say the same thing. Don't throw a company under the bus because you are having trouble with your iPhone Jobs! He is like a little kid. Brags when he is on top, and cries and blames others when he gets in trouble.
@MManLA
Obviously you don't see a problem throwing apple under the bus
Articles are from late JUNE. found them in 30sec
NOKIA - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/28/nokia_hands/
MOTO - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/06/30/motorola_droid_x_ad_mock_apple/
HTC - http://www.straightupsearch.com/archives/2010/07/oneupweb-htc-buys-ppc-ads-to-capitalize-on-iphone-4g-antenna-problems.html
this is an overly hyped issue that every other company is willing to cash in on (rightfully so, capitalism). but you see a problem when apple does it to defend its product?
@Col Forbin Awww comon man don't tell me you think that Apple Job's Justify himself!!! Every company wants to look better than the other, but this was a problem that Apple should of addressed with the customers. The screwed up, but then they didn't act like they was sorry, then start blaming RIM and Nokia for having faults. YOU DON'T SAY THAT WHEN YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE LOOKING FOR YOU FOR AN ANSWER OF THE FLAWED PRODUCT YOU RELEASE EVEN THOUGH YOU KNEW IT WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN!!! I don't care what you say Col Forbin, there is a place and time for bashing, and that was not the place nor time. The best answer he had for the problem was the bumper. That don't solve the problem! (Read Anandtech http://www.anandtech.com/show/3821/iphone-4-redux-analyzing-apples-ios-41-signal-fix article since you are in an apple link defense mode). I'm sorry. Apple messed up big time. I can say that since I use Apple Products in my profession. .
HTC next?
As much as I agree with RIM every BlackBerry on Verizon/Sprint ( no not AT&T or T-Mobile because they both suck as 3G networks ) that I've had had bars that jumped up and down even if I didn't hold the phone. I do see the problem and call it how it is. Yes they made a mistake, no it doesn't make that big of a difference yet every hater wants to think so. I will stick with BlackBerry either way.
So happy to see this. Apple is a joke. I'm no Apple hater or a fanboy of any company. But Apple's conference today was a joke. Jobs talks down to everyone and now dragging other companies through his mud. Really? It's a shame and I'm so damn happy to see RIM jump over all this and so quickly.
Nice response.
Ok people prove apple wrong I want videos of other phones dropping calls and signal stat
Steve should be so embarrassed being caught lying.
It's from all the bad karma Steve generated when he had those lame, smug TV ads slamming Vista.
Gettin' a little hot under the turtle neck Steve?