Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[How would you change Apple's iPhone 4?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/27/how-would-you-change-apples-iphone-4/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/27/how-would-you-change-apples-iphone-4/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/27/how-would-you-change-apples-iphone-4/#comments We know, half of you aren't even going to read past the headline before you start angrily banging away about Apple's admitted antenna gaff and the still-not-totally-fixed proximity sensor, but we're urging you to look deeper. Think harder. Critique your criticisms. In all seriousness, Apple's iPhone 4 garnered more attention (negative or otherwise) than any other phone released this calendar year, and for good reason -- in fact, Apple itself had to hold an emergency press event just to announce what could've been announced in a PR blast: everyone's getting a free case. That said, Cupertino has still managed to move millions of units in just a few months, and that demand doesn't seem to be dropping off at any significant rate. If you're one of the lucky (or unlucky) ones that have managed to procure Apple's latest iPhone, we're overly anxious to hear your thoughts on changing it. How would you have addressed the antenna issue? Would you have preferred a less drastic departure from the 3GS form factor? Would you have offered more colors than white and black? Thrown in Bluetooth 3.0 for kicks? Go ahead, the floor's yours -- just don't abuse it, cool?

How would you change Apple's iPhone 4? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueantennagateAntennaIssueappleapple iphoneapple iphone 4AppleIphoneAppleIphone4attfeaturesfixHow would you changeHowWouldYouChangehwyciosios 4Ios4iphoneiPhone 4Iphone4problemproblemsreceptionreception issueReceptionIssuesmartphoneFri, 27 Aug 2010 22:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy to offer free invisibleSHIELD 4fix to aggravated iPhone 4 owners]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/best-buy-to-offer-free-invisibleshield-4fix-to-aggravated-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/best-buy-to-offer-free-invisibleshield-4fix-to-aggravated-iphone/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/28/best-buy-to-offer-free-invisibleshield-4fix-to-aggravated-iphone/#comments It's hard to say for certain what exactly this flyer means, but it sure looks as if at least some iPhone 4 owners will be able to snatch a free invisibleSHIELD 4fix (valued at $9.99 or so) from their local Best Buy. Based on a number of tips that we've received, we're getting the impression that the yellow-tagged retailer could be handing out (and installing) completely free side coverings for any iPhone 4 owner that waltzes into a store, presumably as a proactive measure to fend off returns or to upsell consumers on an entire invisibleSHIELD / separate case. Nothing about this notice makes clear that you actually have to buy your iPhone 4 from Best Buy in order to take advantage, but we probably wouldn't waste a lunch break giving this a go without a verbal confirmation from your local store manager. Until it's made official, of course.

Update: We've heard from another tipster that the deal is indeed legitimate, and it's for any human with an iPhone 4, not just those who purchased their phone from Best Buy. We'd recommend calling your local store to double check, but things are looking up.

Update 2: Ah, so we've finally received the full skinny from another tipster. The offer only applies to those who purchased their iPhone 4 from Best Buy / Best Buy Mobile or for Best Buy Reward Zone members. Granted, it's pretty easy to sign up for the aforementioned reward program, but those are the stipulations. The official BB name for the product you'll be getting is the Zagg SideShield, which would cost you $9.99 otherwise.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Gallery: Best Buy's free invisibleSHIELD 4fix for iPhone 4 offer

Continue reading Best Buy to offer free invisibleSHIELD 4fix to aggravated iPhone 4 owners

Best Buy to offer free invisibleSHIELD 4fix to aggravated iPhone 4 owners originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueantennagateAntennaIssueappleapple iphone 4AppleIphone4Best BuyBestBuycaseexclusiveinvisible SHIELDinvisibleSHIELDinvisibleSHIELD 4fixInvisibleshield4fixiphoneiphone 4Iphone4reception issuereception issuesReceptionIssueReceptionIssuesSideShieldzaggWed, 28 Jul 2010 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple begins iPhone 4 Case Program: apply for your free case or Bumper now]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/apple-begins-iphone-4-case-program-apply-for-your-free-case-or/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/apple-begins-iphone-4-case-program-apply-for-your-free-case-or/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/apple-begins-iphone-4-case-program-apply-for-your-free-case-or/#comments Well, there's nothing like masking bad news with good news, right Apple? Just moments after quietly announcing that the white iPhone 4 is now scheduled to ship sometime between tomorrow and your New Year's Eve party, the company has also fired up its iPhone 4 Case Program. Just as Jobs promised last week at an emergency press event, this program will ensure that anyone who purchases an iPhone 4 prior to September 30th will be able to receive an iPhone 4 Bumper or select third-party case from the company at no charge. 'Course, you need to be located in a country or territory that Apple actually ships to, but if that's all squared away, feel free to hit up the App Store to download the iPhone 4 Case Program app. Once there, you'll need to sign into your iTunes Store account, select your Bumper or case and wait oh-so-patiently (read: "3 to 5 weeks"). Better hurry -- wouldn't want the servers to get overloaded, now would we?

Oh, and if you happened to have already purchased a Bumper, the company should be hitting your credit card with a full refund (including any applicable taxes and shipping) momentarily. As for the case / Bumper choices? Every single option is available in any color you like... so long as it's black, of course. There's a black Apple Bumper option, an Incase Snap Case, Belkin Shield Micra, Griffin Motif, Griffin Reveal, Speck Fitted and Speck PixelSkin HD, but again, don't go in hoping to select your favorite hue. Yeah, you're free to bicker about free things -- we won't judge.

Update: If you're one of those wise guys who purchased an iPhone 4 right away just to sell it, you can forget about getting a free case for the handset you no longer own. Apple has arranged this so that only one case can be ordered per iPhone 4, so even if you ordered two under your account name, you'll need two phones to place both of those orders. Check out the error message below if you still don't believe us.

Gallery: Apple iPhone 4 Case Program app

Apple begins iPhone 4 Case Program: apply for your free case or Bumper now originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antenna issueantennagateAntennaIssueappapp storeappleapple bumperapple iphoneapple iphone 4AppleBumperAppleIphoneAppleIphone4AppStorebreaking newsBreakingNewsbumpercasefreeiphoneiphone 4iphone 4 case programIphone4Iphone4CaseProgramissueproblemreceptionreception issueReceptionIssuerefundFri, 23 Jul 2010 08:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple starts refunding Bumper purchases automagically]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/apple-starts-refunding-bumper-purchases-automatically/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/apple-starts-refunding-bumper-purchases-automatically/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/apple-starts-refunding-bumper-purchases-automatically/#comments Automatic refunds, or so the email says. We've been on the receiving end of a deluge of tips this morning pointing out that Apple has begun funneling cash back into its users' pockets -- a most unusual event, to be sure -- to live up to its retroactive promise of free Bumpers for all (who buy their iPhone 4 before September 30). If the particular wording is to be trusted, that should mean that even those who haven't yet bothered to put in a claim, but did purchase a Bumper, will find themselves enriched in due course. Apple estimates this bandaid solution to its antenna problems will cost $175 million in real cash money, but we suspect the biggest price to pay will be in the form of pride and reputation.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Apple starts refunding Bumper purchases automagically originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueappleapple refundAppleRefundbumperbumperscasecasesfreeiphoneiphone 4Iphone4refundFri, 23 Jul 2010 01:32:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone 'End Call' sticker is an ironic solution to your reception problem]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/iphone-end-call-sticker-is-an-ironic-solution-to-your-receptio/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/iphone-end-call-sticker-is-an-ironic-solution-to-your-receptio/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/22/iphone-end-call-sticker-is-an-ironic-solution-to-your-receptio/#comments Not sold on those iPhone Antenna-aid bandages? Fret not, as we've got a whole 'nother round of laughs coming your way. What started as a concept has landed on Etsy as a buyable product: the 'End Call' vinyl sticker. As you'd expect, you simply place this guy over the iPhone 4's "weak spot" and then press it whenever you'd like to conveniently drop whatever call you're on. The only problem? This $4 add-on actually won't accomplish what it says in plain English.

iPhone 'End Call' sticker is an ironic solution to your reception problem originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antenna issueantennagateAntennaIssueappleapple iphoneapple iphone 4AppleIphoneAppleIphone4comedyend callEndCallfunnyiphoneiphone 4Iphone4receptionreception issueReceptionIssuestickerThu, 22 Jul 2010 18:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Antenna-aid bandages your iPhone 4 reception issue, hopes for role in next Eminem video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/antenna-aid-bandages-your-iphone-4-reception-issue-hopes-for-ro/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/antenna-aid-bandages-your-iphone-4-reception-issue-hopes-for-ro/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/antenna-aid-bandages-your-iphone-4-reception-issue-hopes-for-ro/#comments Oh, Steve -- you should've known better. You show up and remove a laptop from a manila envelope, and Earth's most creative go and create a case fashioned out of one. You go and suggest that Eminem could "come out with a band-aid that goes over the corner" of your controversial iPhone 4, and well... this happens. You could wait for a free case, or you could buy six of these Antenna-aids for five bucks. The choice is obvious.

Antenna-aid bandages your iPhone 4 reception issue, hopes for role in next Eminem video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntenna-aidantennagateAntennaIssueappleapple iphoneapple iphone 4AppleIphoneAppleIphone4band aidband-aidBandAidcomedycoveragefunnyhilariousiphoneiphone 4Iphone4receptionTue, 20 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung joins the crowd, rejects Apple's Omnia 2 antenna claims]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/samsung-joins-the-crowd-rejects-apples-omnia-2-antenna-claims/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/samsung-joins-the-crowd-rejects-apples-omnia-2-antenna-claims/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/samsung-joins-the-crowd-rejects-apples-omnia-2-antenna-claims/#commentsSamsung joins the crowd, rejects Apple's Omnia 2 antenna claims RIM and Nokia aren't the only ones saying "WTF Steve!?" after last Friday's press conference attempted to draw the competition into the Antennagate saga. Samsung has issued its own choice reaction about supposed problems with the Omnia 2, though this one is somewhat less sternly worded than the others:
The antenna is located at the bottom of the Omnia 2 phone, while iPhone's antenna is on the lower left side of the device. Our design keeps the distance between a hand and an antenna. We have fully conducted field tests before the rollout of smartphones. Reception problems have not happened so far, and there is no room for such problems to happen in the future.
Why is Samsung being rather more polite? Because it's full of really nice people? Or, is it because the iPhone 4 is stuffed with Samsung memory chips? We'll let your level of cynicism be your guide here.

Samsung joins the crowd, rejects Apple's Omnia 2 antenna claims originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueantennagateAntennaIssueappleiphoneiphone 4Iphone4omnia 2Omnia2samsungstatementsteve jobsSteveJobsTue, 20 Jul 2010 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[HTC fires back at Apple antenna demo with percentage pew-pew]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/17/htc-fires-back-at-apple-antenna-demo-with-percentage-pew-pew/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/17/htc-fires-back-at-apple-antenna-demo-with-percentage-pew-pew/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/17/htc-fires-back-at-apple-antenna-demo-with-percentage-pew-pew/#comments Apple's Friday press conference may have left a bad taste in some rival handset manufacturer's mouths, but not all of them are taking Cupertino's derision of their devices seriously -- HTC's Droid Eris was arguably the most affected by the grip of doom, its bars dropping to zilch when held, but the Taiwanese company's keeping any controversial opinions to itself for now. Instead, it's sharing a simple percentage to help clear the air. Whereas Apple claimed over 0.55 percent of customers called AppleCare with reception-related complaints, HTC's Eric Lin told Pocket-lint the Droid Eris technical support rate was 0.016 percent, nearly thirty-four times lower -- though even with a seven-month head start, we have to wonder if the Eris sold close to three million by the time Verizon brought the axe down.

HTC fires back at Apple antenna demo with percentage pew-pew originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Jul 2010 20:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueantennagateAntennaIssueAppledesignDroidHTCHTC Droid ErisHtcDroidErisiPhone 4Iphone4receptionsignalVerizonverizon wirelessVerizonWirelessVZWSat, 17 Jul 2010 20:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple affirms: no software fix for iPhone 4 antenna issue]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-affirms-no-software-fix-for-iphone-4-antenna-issue/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-affirms-no-software-fix-for-iphone-4-antenna-issue/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-affirms-no-software-fix-for-iphone-4-antenna-issue/#comments In case it wasn't obvious enough from Apple's agitated response to our question during today's iPhone 4 Q&A session in Cupertino, there's no software fix in the pipeline for the antenna issues that are plaguing users today. A prior report in the New York Times seemed fairly confident that the troubles could (and would) be solved in the near term by a simple software update, but the company's own Scott Forstall called said report "patently false." So, there you have it -- the only thing that'll be fixed via software is how big your smallest bar of signal is. Beyond that, you'll need to grab some Duct tape, a free case or a white glove if you're looking to avoid attenuation entirely.

Apple affirms: no software fix for iPhone 4 antenna issue originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueantennagateAntennaIssueappleapple iphoneapple iphone 4AppleIphoneAppleIphone4debunkiosios 4Ios4iphoneiphone 4Iphone4issueproblemScott ForstallScottForstallsmartphonesoftwareupdateFri, 16 Jul 2010 17:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple to give away free cases to iPhone 4 users]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-to-give-away-free-bumpers-to-iphone-4-users/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-to-give-away-free-bumpers-to-iphone-4-users/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-to-give-away-free-bumpers-to-iphone-4-users/#comments Apple's not really ready to say it's sorry about the iPhone 4 antenna design, but it is willing to give all you darn squeaky wheels free cases for your trouble. Since Apple can't build its own Bumpers fast enough, it will give you a few options and let you decide, then send it your way for free as long as you purchased the phone before September 30th. Not good enough for you? Well, if you already bought a bumper from Apple you'll get a refund, and you can also return your phone for a full refund within 30 days as long as it's unharmed.

This solution comes at the end of 22 days of Apple engineers "working their butts off," according to Steve, with "physics" ultimately being pinned as the main culprit. Apple claims you can replicate the left-handed "death grip" bar-dropping problem on the BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II, and that "phones aren't perfect." Steve also claims that only 0.55% of people who bought the iPhone 4 have called into AppleCare to complain about the antenna, and the phone has a 1.7% return rate at AT&T, compared to 6% with the 3GS, though he would cop to a slight increase in dropped calls over the iPhone 3GS. For this Steve has what he confesses to be a pet theory: that 3GS users were using the case they had from the 3G, and therefore weren't met with the horrible reality of a naked, call dropping handset. Hence the free case solution, which will probably satisfy some, infuriate others, and never even blip onto the radar of many of the massive horde of consumers that's devoured this product in unprecedented numbers.

Update: Our own Richard Lai just waltzed down to the Regent Street Apple Store in London with his iPhone Bumper receipt in hand. A few minutes later he left with cold, hard cash, and kept the Bumper to boot. Seems as if the refund effort is a go, at least over in the UK.

Update 2: We've heard from several tipsters saying Apple no longer does Bumper refunds at its stores; customers will now have to make an online claim instead. Looks like we got super lucky.

Apple to give away free cases to iPhone 4 users originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueapplebreaking newsBreakingNewsbumperscasesiphoneiphone 4iphone 4 antennaiphone 4 bumpersiphone 4 caseiphone 4 casesIphone4Iphone4AntennaIphone4BumpersIphone4CaseIphone4CasesFri, 16 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple: iPhone 4 drops 'less than one additional call per 100 than the 3GS']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-iphone-4-drops-less-than-one-additional-call-per-100-tha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-iphone-4-drops-less-than-one-additional-call-per-100-tha/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/16/apple-iphone-4-drops-less-than-one-additional-call-per-100-tha/#comments It's fairly obvious that the howls around the web for Apple to address this antenna issue has gotten underneath the skin of one Steve Jobs, and in a fashion that's very much unlike Apple (or AT&T, for that matter), the aforesaid CEO has actually handed out a bit of hard data surrounding dropped calls on the iPhone 4. According to Jobs, AT&T won't reveal the exact amount of call drops for competitive reasons, but they did manage to push out a meaningful delta. As of today, they've noticed that the "iPhone 4 drops less than one additional call per 100 than the 3GS." In other words, the iPhone 4 has actually been dropping more calls than the 3GS in the three weeks that the former has been on the market. Of course, Steve's also playing up the fact that just a fraction of a percent of all buyers have bothered to call in about their bout with dropped calls (and why would you, knowing there's no cure?), but it's still interesting to finally get some cold, hard facts on this disaster. Even if it's but a snippet.

Apple: iPhone 4 drops 'less than one additional call per 100 than the 3GS' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueAppleattcallcallingdroppeddropped callsDroppedCallsios 4Ios4iphoneiphone 4Iphone4returnreturn rateReturnRatesmartphoneFri, 16 Jul 2010 12:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Bloomberg: Apple engineer was concerned about iPhone 4 antenna early on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/bloomberg-apple-antenna-engineer-was-concerned-about-iphone-4-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/bloomberg-apple-antenna-engineer-was-concerned-about-iphone-4-a/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/15/bloomberg-apple-antenna-engineer-was-concerned-about-iphone-4-a/#comments As if we needed any more drama in this situation, Bloomberg has someone "familiar with the matter" that claims Apple's own antenna expert, Ruben Caballero, told Apple management that the iPhone 4 antenna design could cause reception problems, dropped calls, and a serious engineering challenge. Caballero is a senior engineer for Apple with a large quantity of antenna patents under his belt, and while we certainly don't know the whole story -- perhaps his claims were somehow quelled by Apple's own testing -- it certainly adds a twist to this story if Steve Jobs and co. had been alerted to this very real problem during the design phase. The Bloomberg article also claims, from a different source, no less, that a carrier partner also raised antenna concerns before the release. Apple and Caballero naturally did not comment on this report. We're not really sure about the real-world implications of all this behind-the-scenes drama, but we suppose we'll see what Apple has to say for itself tomorrow.

Bloomberg: Apple engineer was concerned about iPhone 4 antenna early on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueapplebloombergiphoneiphone 4Iphone4Ruben CaballeroRubenCaballeroThu, 15 Jul 2010 10:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Yes, the iPhone 4 is broken / No, the iPhone 4 is not broken]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/yes-the-iphone-4-is-broken-no-the-iphone-4-is-not-broken/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/yes-the-iphone-4-is-broken-no-the-iphone-4-is-not-broken/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/13/yes-the-iphone-4-is-broken-no-the-iphone-4-is-not-broken/#comments The controversy over the iPhone 4's antenna issues continues to grow, particularly after Consumer Reports confirmed yesterday that every iPhone 4 suffers from signal attenuation when the phone is held with the lower left corner covered -- a report that we confirmed with results from our own custom signal metering app. At this point, there's no longer any question in our minds that the iPhone 4's antenna can be made to lose signal by holding it "wrong" -- and we definitely think it's more than a little silly that simply holding the phone in your left hand has been nicknamed the "death grip."

That said, however, it's not at all clear what the real-world effects of the antenna issue actually are for most people -- as we've repeatedly said, several iPhone 4s owned by the Engadget staff (including our review unit) have never experienced so much as a single dropped call, while others suffer from signal issues that results in lost calls and unresponsive data in a dramatic way. What's more, at this point Apple's sold well over two million iPhone 4s, and we simply haven't heard the sort of outcry from users that we'd normally hear if a product this high-profile and this popular had a showstopping defect. Honestly, it's puzzling -- we know that the phone has an antenna-related problem, but we're simply not able to say what that issue actually means for everyday users.

So we're doing what we can do: we've collected reports from every member of the Engadget staff who's using the phone, as well as reached out to a variety of tech industry colleagues for their experiences. As you'll see, most of our peers seem to be doing perfectly fine with their iPhone 4s, but the people who are having problems are having maddening issues in an inconsistent way. We'd say it all comes down to the network -- particularly in New York City, where AT&T just completed a major upgrade -- but even that isn't a consistent factor in predicting experience. Ultimately, we just won't know what's really going on until Apple comes clean and addresses this issue (and the growing PR nightmare it's become), but for now we can say with some certainty that not everyone is affected, and those that are seem to be in the minority. Read on for the full report.

Continue reading Yes, the iPhone 4 is broken / No, the iPhone 4 is not broken

Yes, the iPhone 4 is broken / No, the iPhone 4 is not broken originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueapplefield reportFieldReportiphoneiphone 4Iphone4reportTue, 13 Jul 2010 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple deleting mentions of Consumer Reports' iPhone 4 piece on forums, can't delete your thoughts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/apple-deleting-mentions-of-consumer-reports-iphone-4-piece-on-f/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/apple-deleting-mentions-of-consumer-reports-iphone-4-piece-on-f/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/apple-deleting-mentions-of-consumer-reports-iphone-4-piece-on-f/#comments ...or can they? In case Apple has somehow managed to perfect the art of selective disremembrance across a wide population, here's a refresher: Consumer Reports has thrown down the gauntlet, stating that it "can't recommend" the iPhone 4 until the antenna issues are fixed, issues that its labs and ours have verified quite substantially. Apple apparently isn't happy about that, and has taken to deleting threads about the Consumer Reports article from its support forums. Now, Apple deleting threads from its support forums is nothing new; outside of "regular" moderation, the company routinely deletes discussion of hardware flaws that it's not ready to 'fess up to, or just generally negative lines of thought about its products. Good thing the internet's a big place, and if Apple's not going to admit the antenna issue, there are plenty of ways to gripe about it. Feel free to express yourself in the comments below, for instance!

Apple deleting mentions of Consumer Reports' iPhone 4 piece on forums, can't delete your thoughts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueappleconsumer reportsConsumerReportsiphoneiphone 4Iphone4Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/consumer-reports-confirms-iphone-4-antenna-problems-and-so-do/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/consumer-reports-confirms-iphone-4-antenna-problems-and-so-do/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/12/consumer-reports-confirms-iphone-4-antenna-problems-and-so-do/#comments Although there's never been any question that there's something going on with the iPhone 4's fancy new antenna system, we really haven't seen any rigorous testing confirming that the issue is real, severe, and affects every phone. That just changed: Consumer Reports tested three iPhone 4s and several other AT&T phones in their RF isolation chamber that simulates varying levels of signal from every carrier, and found that the iPhone 4 was the only handset to suffer signal-loss issues. What's more, CR directly says that its findings call Apple's explanation of a miscalculated signal meter into question since the tests "indicate that AT&T's network might not be the primary suspect." CR found that simply putting duct tape over the bottom-left corner is enough to alleviate the issue -- we're guessing that's Jony Ive's worst nightmare -- and says that while the iPhone 4 has the "sharpest display and best video camera" of any phone it's tested, it simply can't recommend the device until Apple comes up with a permanent and free fix to the antenna problem. Ouch.

Of course, we couldn't sit around waiting for someone else to test the iPhone 4 in a more controlled way, so we actually asked our good friend Erica Sadun from TUAW to write us a bespoke signal strength app for iOS 4. Obviously we couldn't submit it to the App Store, but we've been running it on all of our phones here at Engadget and we can independently confirm Consumer Reports' finding that there's a serious signal attenuation issue with the iPhone 4's antenna -- every phone we've tested displays dropped signal when held with the bottom left corner covered. Now, what we don't know is whether that signal attenuation consistently affects call quality and data rates, which we suspect is more directly related to the network in the area; some of our iPhone 4s drop calls and experience low data rates with alarming frequency, while others -- like our review unit -- have almost never dropped a call and have had no data problems. However, now that we've confirmed and clarified that the antenna issue affects every iPhone 4, we can take on the next step, which is sorting out exactly when and where the issue is most severe. Either that, or Apple can do something to actually fix the issue -- we'll just have to wait and see. For now, check our app in action after the break.

Update: To clarify, "here at Engadget" is a virtual location -- our iPhone 4s are actually located across the country in San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and we saw the app respond that way regardless of location. Dropped calls and other effects weren't as consistent, however, and we're still testing to sort out when the effects of the antenna issue are the most severe.

Continue reading Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we

Consumer Reports confirms iPhone 4 antenna problems -- and so do we originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueappleconsumer reportsConsumerReportsiphoneiphone 4Iphone4signalsignal strengthsignal strenth issuesSignalStrengthSignalStrenthIssuesvideoMon, 12 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Droid X ad pokes fun at iPhone 4 antenna troubles]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/droid-x-ad-pokes-fun-at-iphone-4-antenna-troubles/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/droid-x-ad-pokes-fun-at-iphone-4-antenna-troubles/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/droid-x-ad-pokes-fun-at-iphone-4-antenna-troubles/#comments The world of corporate cheap shots has today been enriched in its number with one supersized ad for one supersized phone. BGR reports that Motorola took out a full-page spread in the New York Times on this final day of June, which was ostensibly dedicated to promoting the positives of its mighty Droid X. But Moto has also followed in the footsteps of Nokia in making a not so subtle jab at the latest king of the smartphone realm. According to the ad, one of the most important things about the Droid X is that:
"It comes with a double antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like and use it just about anywhere to make crystal clear calls."
Glad we got that established -- next Moto will be telling us the alarm clock on its phones works just fine too. Skip past the break for the untrimmed ad.

Continue reading Droid X ad pokes fun at iPhone 4 antenna troubles

Droid X ad pokes fun at iPhone 4 antenna troubles originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adadvertadvertisingantennaantenna issueantennaeAntennaIssueappledroiddroid xDroidXiphoneiphone 4Iphone4mockmockerymockingmotomotorolamotorola droid xMotorolaDroidXnew york timesNewYorkTimesproblemreceptionWed, 30 Jun 2010 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Does adjusting or trimming the iPhone 4's micro SIM fix the antenna issue? Probably not.]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/does-trimming-the-iphone-4s-micro-sim-fix-the-antenna-issue-pr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/does-trimming-the-iphone-4s-micro-sim-fix-the-antenna-issue-pr/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/does-trimming-the-iphone-4s-micro-sim-fix-the-antenna-issue-pr/#comments Ever since Apple decided to do little about the iPhone 4's pronounced reception issues except suggest that users hold the thing differently and / or buy a nice case, the voodoo engineering remedies have been flying in full force -- sure, we'll admit we tried sticking some tape over the side of our phone (no dice), but we stopped short when people suggested we try a couple coats of nail polish (insanity). Even we have limits, after all. But the latest snake oil fix is definitely the craziest we've heard so far: according to a 13-page (and growing) thread at MacRumors, the iPhone 4's reception issue can be fixed by adjusting or even trimming the micro SIM so the contacts don't touch the metal tray. The popular belief is that touching the side of the phone somehow shorts across the micro SIM, causing (mumble mumble) and leading to dropped signal. Making things more interesting, Apple and AT&T are apparently using several different types of micro SIMs, including one with a significantly larger contact area -- you can check a shot of two of our iPhone 4 micro SIMs side-by-side after the break.

So does all this hocus pocus actually work? In a word, no. We tried it on a few of our particularly bad iPhone 4s -- the ones that consistently demonstrate the issue -- and achieved no meaningful results. We even went so far as to line the edge of one of our trimmed micro SIMs in electrical tape (pictured above) to ensure that no contact was being made, and we were still able to flatline the phone using the "death grip." Sorry folks -- we wanted this to work too, but it looks like people are just being hopefully optimistic. We'd say the real fix is going to have to come from Apple -- and given the growing discontent over this relatively severe issue, the sooner the better.

Continue reading Does adjusting or trimming the iPhone 4's micro SIM fix the antenna issue? Probably not.

Does adjusting or trimming the iPhone 4's micro SIM fix the antenna issue? Probably not. originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antennaantenna issueAntennaIssueapplebugbugsiphoneiphone 4Iphone4micro simmicro sim cardMicroSimMicroSimCardproblemreceptionreception issueReceptionIssuesimsim cardSimCardWed, 30 Jun 2010 00:32:00 EST