Thread: New iPhone - It's Wonderful!

So, back OT:

funny how apple is singled out, when HTC has this problem:

Poor reception signal strength on HTC EVO - HTC EVO

Re: Poor Signal/Reception - Major Issue - DROID INCREDIBLE by HTC (Verizon) - Android Forums - HTC Community

Operative quote:

Talked to tech at sprint and best buy , all evos and HTC phones are having major reception problems

...yet people with HTC phones come over here and gripe about Apple when they don't even have the iPhone.

Wasn't there someone on here who claimed that "NO OTHER PHONES ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM!"

Uh huh....

EVERY phone with an antenna like this will experience minor degradation.

However, the iPhone 4 fails to work where even legacy iPhones do.

It's a design flaw, simple as.

How many more excuses?

"Your holding it wrong".
"Every phone has this problem".
"We're reporting the signal wrong".
"You need to buy a bumper".

Come on Daffy, you look silly defending this.

If Jobs just said "give everyone a 10 cent bumper and move on" it would be fine, rather than trying to screw another 30 bucks out of them.

If you approve of this treatment of customers, then you really must be either brainwashed or too proud to admit that your hero has let you down.

Apple shares fall on poor review
Apple shares fall on poor review

Apple Inc. shares lost over 2 per cent Tuesday after a poor review by Consumer Report on it hot-selling iPhone 4 regarding the alleged defective signal reception of the device.

The report caused widespread concerns about possibility of a recall for the iPhone 4 which sold 1.7 million units worldwide in its first three days.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Come on Daffy, you look silly defending this.

I'm not defending this either way - my point was in response to some people that argued that "NO OTHER PHONE HAS RECEPTION PROBLEMS" (then again, the owner of that statement seems to have gone rather quiet since he had his ass handed to him, so this is purely academic).

Of course there is a problem. Of course, it is being experienced by a minority of people, and of course I know that, and how, Apple is handling it.

This'll all be over before too long, and it won't involve free bumpers to anyone (except that weird situation in the UK - whatever)

Originally Posted by mc2

Apple shares fall on poor review
Apple shares fall on poor review

Apple Inc. shares lost over 2 per cent Tuesday after a poor review by Consumer Report on it hot-selling iPhone 4 regarding the alleged defective signal reception of the device.

Best news I read all week.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Come on Daffy, you look silly defending this.

I'm not defending this either way - my point was in response to some people that argued that "NO OTHER PHONE HAS RECEPTION PROBLEMS" (then again, the owner of that statement seems to have gone rather quiet since he had his ass handed to him, so this is purely academic).

Of course there is a problem. Of course, it is being experienced by a minority of people, and of course I know that, and how, Apple is handling it.

This'll all be over before too long, and it won't involve free bumpers to anyone (except that weird situation in the UK - whatever)

Weird situation? I'd say it's really clever marketing! I expect some clever US company to do the same, if they aren't already!

FREE BUMPER! (Only $30 P&P).

Wow, £2.50 = $30 in your world?

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Wow, £2.50 = $30 in your world?

Wow you really get sarcasm, don't you.....

And the nightmare continues....

In light of what has become a PR nightmare over the faulty reception issues of Apple's iPhone 4, could the tech giant be considering a recall? PR experts say it'd better.

In a recent Cult of Mac post, PR experts outline the dangers of Apple continuing to skirt the recent accusations of a bad antenna design, especially after yesterday's news of Consumer Reports magazine claiming it is unable to recommend the iPhone 4 after recent tests found too many faults with the phone's hardware. “Apple will be forced to do a recall of this product,” Matthew Seeger, an expert in crisis communication, told Cult of Mac. “It's critically important. The brand image is the most important thing Apple has. This is potentially devastating.”

Upon purchase, many users discovered that placing a finger over the bottom left of the phone could reduce the phone's signal, or even cause the call to drop entirely, a glitch Apple blamed initially on a miscalculation within the formula used to determine how many service bars should be displayed. An optical illusion, simple as that – except that it's not. In its report, Consumer Reports called into question Apple's explanation of the issue, prompting many to wonder just how far the company would go to mask the problem. The answer? Pretty far.

Last night, The Unofficial Apple Weblog took note of a string of deleted forum threads on Apple's web site, all pointing to the decision reached by Consumer Reports. All discussions dealing with the issue had been mysteriously erased, and lead users to one message: "Error: you do not have permission to view the requested forum or category." Apple, it seems, has issued a total blackout of iPhone 4 reception dialogue, even directing its support team to call reception reduction due to handling your phone "a fact of life in the wireless world."

“Their response has been lackluster,” Former Vice President of Crisis Management at Motorola Larry Barton told Cult of Mac. “It's been borderline irresponsible. They are in danger of betraying customers' trust and hurting the brand, which is infinitely more valuable than any one product. Consumer Reports is a well-respected publication with a long history of being impartial and fair. Their advisory is a serious one.”

Though Apple promised a free software update would be issued “within a few weeks” that more accurately displays signal strength, there has been little comment from the company or figurehead Steve Jobs, who was quick to apologize for Apple's decision to drop the price of the iPhone just two months after it went on sale in 2007. In an open letter, he repented for the company and issued each iPhone owner a $100 store credit for their pain. Now three years later, Apple's image is a target once more, only this time, a $100 store credit may not provide enough of a distraction to customers who can't seem to make phone calls.

Will be interesting to see how long it takes Stevie boy to cave, or will he just hold out for the class action lawsuit and try and bury it in lawyers? Surely caving is the best alternative.

Android phone makers must be rubbing their hands with glee as they rush to bring out new models for the holiday season. I bet even M$ are having a quiet chuckle.

NOW I know why Daffy is so keen to put a protective (probably splash proof) cover on his iPhone 4....

Video Sex Calling Services Popping Up For iPhone 4 - Techland - TIME.com

Strong they aint

This is fun:

Microsoft calls iPhone 4 Apple's Windows Vista | Electronista

Microsoft really does elevate putting their foot in their mouth into a new artform.

One word : "Kin"
--
Microsoft calls iPhone 4 Apple's Windows Vista
MS exec thinks iPhone 4 may mimic Vista's failure

Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner skewered Apple's missteps with the iPhone 4 in his talk at the Windows Partner Conference today. He noted that Windows Phone 7 devices shouldn't have problems with holding the phone and likened the iPhone 4 to Microsoft's own experiences with Windows Vista, where development problems helped competitors gain ground. A stumble by Apple in public perception would help Windows Phone 7 attract customers just as Microsoft itself needs to restore its image.

"It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that," he said. "We're back in the game [at Microsoft], and this game is not over."

The statements reflect a growing sense that Apple may need to institute a recall or case giveaway to avoid a public image problem, but they also prove ironic given Microsoft's own recent difficulties. In addition to continued slides in Windows Mobile share as customers either opt for Android and iPhone devices or wait for Windows Phone 7. A very public death of the Kin has also raised questions about the company's ability to develop mobile projects without executive rivalries and an arbitrary use of code triggering delays or limiting features.

Microsoft itself is tentative about Windows Phone 7 and treats it as a 1.0 release that has dropped features like multitasking to make its late 2010 shipping target.

I guess there's a lot of iPhone 4 fever at MBK right now, with them selling for astronomical prices = high demand.

(good opportunity for Android to eat up the Palm and Rim customers -- oh, wait, they all want iPhone 4).


----

iPhone 4 triggers collapse of interest in BlackBerry | Electronista

iPhone 4 triggers collapse of interest in BlackBerry
New iPhone hurts RIM, Motorola and Palm demand

The run-up to the launch of the iPhone 4 may have gutted interest in RIM's BlackBerry as well as Motorola and Palm, ChangeWave determined in a new study.

Those planning to buy an iPhone in three months' time logically surged from 31 percent in March to 52 percent in June, but BlackBerry demand was hit especially severely as it fell from 14 percent at the end of the winter to just six percent this spring. Motorola's lack of an update to the Droid also pushed it down to just nine percent, and Palm's quiet following the acquisition by HP has killed its demand altogether.

HTC was the only major challenger to see demand grow, as the combination of the Droid Incredible and Evo 4G pushed it from 12 percent of planned phone buys in March to 19 percent in June. The balance may change with Motorola's Droid X nearing release.

Analysts blamed RIM's decline almost exclusively on happiness with BlackBerries. The number of owners who said they were "very satisfied" with the phone sank to an all-time low of 30 percent in June, down from 38 percent in March and well below the high of 55 percent from 2008. The age of the OS and a lack of interesting devices has seen the BlackBerry lose its "cool factor," ChangeWave wrote.

Apple was slightly lower in June as well, but at 73 percent had much more overall satisfaction than even HTC, which reached just 39 percent. RIM wasn't the lowest; companies that depended heavily on Symbian or Windows Mobile, such as Samsung, Nokia and Sony Ericsson, ranged as low as 20 percent.

"It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that," he said. "We're back in the game [at Microsoft], and this game is not over."

Is that finally an admission that Vista was a complete pig's arse?!

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

"It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that," he said. "We're back in the game [at Microsoft], and this game is not over."

Is that finally an admission that Vista was a complete pig's arse?!

Exactly. Open mouth, insert foot, chew.

Microsoft - nobody does it quite like their execs.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

"It looks like the iPhone 4 might be their Vista, and I'm okay with that," he said. "We're back in the game [at Microsoft], and this game is not over."

Is that finally an admission that Vista was a complete pig's arse?!

Exactly. Open mouth, insert foot, chew.

Microsoft - nobody does it quite like their execs.

I wasn't even talking about the "We're back in the game" nonsense, although Win 7 is extremely good; mind you in comparison to Vista that wasn't difficult.

fanboy
1. A person who is completely loyal to a game or company reguardless of if they suck or not.
2. An arrogant person who goes into an outburst every time something he likes is questioned.
3. Fanboys usually use the word 'own3d' if they beat someone.
Another annoying feature of a fanboy is that if he is loyal to a console, he usually goes to rival console forums and spams the place up with inults about how his console is 'better'.
4. DaffyDuck

Urban Dictionary: fanboy

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Apple has announced that they will be holding a press conference this Friday, July 16, to formally address the issue.

the poor, sad little fanboys , have they given up hope about the "software fix" yet ?

From CNN's Mashable

(Here's the link Daffy, so you can go and check
What Apple must do to stop the iPhone 4 bleeding - CNN.com)

It'd be an understatement to say that this has been a terrible week for Apple, and we haven't even reached the halfway point.

On Monday, Consumer Reports dealt a devastating blow to the iPhone 4 when it declined to recommend the device to consumers due to the antenna reception problem.

Consumer Reports concluded from its tests that cell reception is indeed lost if you cover up the small gap between the two metal bands on the bottom left corner (as it's facing you) of the phone. The media quickly picked up the story.

Tuesday wasn't any better for the tech giant. Consumer Reports slammed Apple for not providing a fix to customers at no extra cost. Some have even suggested that a recall was imminent -- an endeavor that would cost the company $1.5 billion.

All of this news resulted in a sharp dive in Apple's stock price, although it has since made a partial recovery. There are even class action lawsuits waiting in the wings.

Apple has a nightmare on its hands, and no software fix will make the problem go away. The issue has taken on a life of its own.

The situation isn't impossible for Apple to recover from, though. However, the company needs to take action, and it needs to do it quick. Here are what my top five priorities would be if I were in Steve Jobs' shoes:

1. Acknowledge that the antenna problem is real

While you can't call the data conclusive, you can say that the data overwhelmingly points to one conclusion: the iPhone has an antenna problem. The iPhone antenna issue has been replicated in countless YouTube videos and by multiple media organizations, including us. Apple's internal documents show that they know the issue is real.

This is almost certainly a hardware issue, and it's time that Apple stopped being coy and just admit that the phone does have an issue with its reception. The current string of denials and half-truths won't have any legs as the pressure mounts and the lawyers come knocking.

The best thing the company can do is issue an open letter on the antenna issue, ideally from Steve Jobs himself. The key to making this go away is transparency.

2. Go into the technical details

Once Apple acknowledges the problem, it needs to give up details, such as the science behind the antenna issue, why the company didn't catch it during testing, and different potential fixes.

Don't spare the public the complicated and scientific issues behind the iPhone's design and how different grips affect reception -- anything less won't appease a critical public.

3. Roll out the software update

Apple has promised a software update earlier this month to "fix" the formula used to calculate signal bar strength display, which the company pointed to as the root of the iPhone antenna problem.

While we believe that the software fix was meant to be a decoy to the real hardware issue, the company has already committed to the software update, and it should roll it out as promised. Don't keep trying to point to software as the problem, though: most people are aware that it's not a software bug causing the antenna issue and treating it as such is just demeaning and condescending to iPhone users everywhere.

4. Make the bumpers free

Out of all of my suggestions, this one is the key. Those iPhone bumpers may cost $29.00 in the Apple Store, but in reality the rubber and plastic mold only costs a fraction of that price (possibly around $1 per bumper).

Providing that accessory to customers for free solves the antenna issue, as bare skin has to touch the iPhone 4's metal casing in order to drop signal. It's not an ideal fix, but it's far better than the other option: a recall.

5. No matter what, don't issue an iPhone 4 recall

Some have suggested that Apple should recall the iPhone 4. That isn't a simple affair. In fact, most users would be more annoyed and upset than pleased with the Cuptertino-based company.

Let's play out the scenario. Apple performs a recall of its devices. Millions of people are annoyed as they either have to give up their device or keep a clearly defective one. Apple, already at peak production capacity, would take weeks -- if not months -- to replace the phones. Estimates place the cost of a recall in the billions.

Here's the truth: The iPhone 4 antenna issue isn't a hazardous one. It isn't exploding in people's hands, it isn't cutting anyone's palms randomly, and it isn't suddenly bursting into flames. Those are critical issues that would require a recall.

The antenna issue, while important and a problem that Apple should have found and addressed before the product's launch last month, doesn't rise to that level. Recalls are meant only as a last resort. Do you think Ford is going to recall all of its cars for a faulty radio?

Apple, while it may be feeling the pressure, can't cave to it. There is a balance here. It has to be truthful with what's actually wrong with the iPhone antenna and what is not. It has to keep its emotions in check as it discusses the antenna independent of the iPhone 4's many other amazing features. And finally, the company has to give customers something to solve the issue.

Free bumpers seem like the appropriate middle ground. A recall is over-the-top extreme and hurts rather than helps consumers in the end.

Fascinating stuff. Be wonderful to see how they're going to try and dig themselves out. Announce the iPhone 4G probably.

Press conference on a Friday afternoon? Don't want bad news on the front page of the dailies, do we. <snigger>

Originally Posted by mc2

the poor, sad little fanboys , have they given up hope about the "software fix" yet ?

MUST. NOT. SAY. ANYTHING..... (oh, this is just too precious)

(copied for later claim chowder time)

jesus christ the fanboy is still in denial...

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Fascinating stuff. Be wonderful to see how they're going to try and dig themselves out. Announce the iPhone 4G probably.

Lots of good advice, from sources that have little understanding how Apple operates. If a recall is in the best interest of the consumer, Apple will do a recall -- because that ends up being in the best interest of Apple. It just won't be called a 'recall'. ;-)

The cost of a recall is irrelevant - Apple has a war chest of $ 50+ billion. $1-$2 billion to foot a recall is nothing, particularly since Apple would make up the expense in no time.

*IF* a recall were to happen, Apple will most likely have a mechanism in place to make the downtime to consumer as minimal as possible - i.e. come to an Apple Store, and get your iPhone 4 replaced, no questions asked - and will most likely include a financial compensation to existing consumers, in the form of a $$ voucher for the Apple Store. (They have done so in the past, both after the reduction in cost of the iPhone first generation, and after the display issues for the 27" iMacs).

Thus, in the end, this would achieve several objectives:


- it will restore consumer confidence, pushing those consumers waiting for the resolution to this, to return to buying mode.

- consumers will come to Apple Stores with $50-$100 vouchers. They will leave with $150-$200 in merchandise.

- consumers have the option to purchase bumpers with the vouchers or have their iPhones replaced, if they so choose. Apple usually gives several choices. Return and full refund is another option.

- Apple would collect the first batch of iPhones, return them to the factories in China, where they get refinished, and will be reissued as refurbished devices - these will be available in Apple Stores as new parts stock, or on the Apple refurbished stores (AT&T refurbished) at reduced prices - usually $100 or $50 off.

- it would kill any class-action lawsuits currently being prepared cold in their tracks. Judges know that class action participants would, at most, get less than $10 at the end of such a process, so anything in excess of $50 vouchers from Apple would kill those.

The success of any such program, finally, would really royally piss off HB, and mc2 -- and that alone would make it worth it.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Press conference on a Friday afternoon? Don't want bad news on the front page of the dailies, do we. <snigger>

I'm surprised you know how this stuff works. Bravo.

Let me guess - you originally read about it on a blog. Right?

The cost a big issue but not the main issue. the brand name has been tarnished, and I don't think the brand name will fully recover.

i feel genuinely SONG SAN for the poor apple fanboys.

Originally Posted by mc2

jesus christ the fanboy is still in denial...

Goodness gracious, this is too good.