Thread: New iPhone - It's Wonderful!

Quote:
Originally Posted by harrybarracuda (New iPhone - It's Wonderful!)
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?

No Daffy, we had a labour government in Blighty, remember?

They were the absolute *masters* of burying bad news.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Originally Posted by mc2

jesus christ the fanboy is still in denial...

Goodness gracious, this is too good.

Oh yes i forgot, apple will release a software patch to increase the bars on the display to mask the faulty antenna design, wont they daffy
another stroke of genius by jobs , thank god the fanboys like daffy are so gullible to swallow his shite

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

TThe recall option would be hideous. Yes, the cost to is not a killer, but I don't think people will accept an Apple voucher. They want a phone that works. I think they'll take the refund and go and buy an EVO, a Droid X or whatever else. Doesn't look like a viable option for Stevie, don't you think?

You haven't been paying attention to what I wrote.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

TThe recall option would be hideous. Yes, the cost to is not a killer, but I don't think people will accept an Apple voucher. They want a phone that works. I think they'll take the refund and go and buy an EVO, a Droid X or whatever else. Doesn't look like a viable option for Stevie, don't you think?

You haven't been paying attention to what I wrote.

Oh I have Daffy, I just don't agree with it.

Lots of good advice, from sources that have little understanding how Apple operates.

So come on then oh self-proclaimed guru of Apple ways.

What's the announcement going to be tomorrow then?

And don't give me vague "ifs" given your unwavering certainty that you are the font of all Apple knowledge.

Will it be a recall? A free bumper? A voucher for a later swap? A voucher for anything in the Apple shop that actually works? A bumper AND a voucher?

Or just another load of tired old bullshit attempting to convince people that Apple are right, when they're quite obviously not?

The latter is my preferred solution, as it gives Android a huge boost (I wouldn't imagine RIM, Nokia and the rest would be too unhappy, either).

Come on know-all. Let's hear your visionary prophecy.

This is such a waste of time.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

This is such a waste of time.

Oh for fuck's sake, I'm only asking you to give us the benefit of your "wisdom".

Why don't you just admit that, like the professional industry watchers that actually DO know how Apple operate, that you haven't got a clue WHAT they're going to do, and whatever you say will be nothing more than an educated guess?

I'll stick my neck out.

I think it will be a free bumper and a voucher for a swap when the fixed version is available.

iOS 4.1 update released to developers

By Erica Ogg on 15 July 2010


Is this the solution to the antenna-related woes of the iPhone 4? Less than a month since its introduction, Apple has already released an initial version of a software update to iOS 4. iOS 4.1 was made available to developers on Wednesday.
iOS 4 installed on an iPhone 4 (left), the beta version of iOS 4 (right), on the same device. (Credit: CNET)

On top, the original iPhone signal bars. On the bottom, the newer, taller ones.(Credit: CNET)

It's likely this is the update Apple promised two weeks ago. In an open letter, Apple said that the problem some people are having with reception and bandwidth dropping off when gripping the iPhone 4 in a certain way is linked to software that incorrectly displays the phone's signal bars. The update was promised to make the signal bars display more accurately and more clearly. In the example above and to the right, it does appear that our iPhone 4 with iOS 4.1 installed does have slightly taller signal bars.
It's not clear, however, that the signal bar display has anything to do with the antenna "death grip" issue. The antenna problem appears to be hardware-related (the antenna is integrated into the metal strip running around the exterior of the phone), and whether the signal bars are displaying incorrectly wouldn't affect whether a call is actually dropped or a signal is lost.
Though we'll be doing more rigorous testing, we did an initial trial of the new software. On the same phone with iOS 4 where we experienced dropped calls while covering the lower left part of the iPhone 4, we still had dropped calls with iOS 4.1. But this time, the calls were dropping with two signal bars still showing. Previously, they would drop with zero signal bars showing. As we wrote before, the antenna issue seems to vary from phone to phone and in different locations.
Via CNET.com

On top, the original iPhone signal bars. On the bottom, the newer, taller ones.(Credit: CNET)

If you can see this, very interesting

Apple knew about iPhone 4 antenna design flaw - Technology & science - Wireless - msnbc.com

BBC News - Apple plans surprise briefing on iPhone 4 antenna issue

Apple plans surprise briefing on iPhone 4 antenna issue


The iPhone4 was first released in early June
Apple has called a surprise news conference on 16 July at 1800 (BST) to talk about the iPhone 4 as the clamour for the company to resolve antenna problems with the new device intensified.
The company has refused to give details about whether the event will address reception problems that some users have reported with the phone, launched just last month.
Apple has faced mounting criticism from analysts and consumers over its handling of the issue.
Industry watchers said the firm was in danger of damaging its "rock star" reputation over how poorly it had dealt with what would normally be a minor problem.
"It seems there has been a real crisis of leadership here," said Patrick Kerley, senior digital strategist for Levick Strategic Communications which deals in crisis managment and reputation protection.
"There are so many conflicting reports about this issue and a lot of confusion in the marketplace. They need a plan of attack. Today's companies have to react quickly before chatter on Facebook or Twitter turns into news headlines as is the case here," Mr Kerley told BBC News.
That was a view echoed by a number of other brand managers and industry analysts.
"They have not handled this well at all and they have turned this into a bigger problem than it needed to be," said Van Baker, senior vice president of research at Gartner.
Escalating issue Reports of problems with the iPhone 4's antennas began around the 24 June launch date when users who pre-ordered phones were among the first to claim signal strength fell away and calls were dropped when they gripped the phone on the lower left side.

The antenna is built in to the iPhone 4 case
Some posted videos on YouTube complaining about the reception issue.
Days later an e-mail that purported to have been sent by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs did the rounds after one user contacted him to find out if there was a fix for the problem.
BoyGeniusReport.com, an gadget news blog, printed the transcript in which Mr Jobs e-mailed back "you are getting all worked up over a few days of rumours. Calm down".
The authenticity of the exchange was denied by Apple, though BoyGenius maintains it is authentic. The controversy over its veracity helped to light a fire among critics and fans alike who marvelled at the tone of the messages.
"The arrogance of this e-mail, true or not, escalated the problem for Apple when what they should have done was get out in front of the problem and said here is the deal," said technology analyst Rob Enderle of the Enderle Group.

“I believe that this fiasco with the iPhone 4 is an excuse to attack a company that is becoming such a giant”

Olivier Blanchard President, Brand Builder Marketin
On 2 July, Apple issued a statement explaining that it was "surprised" by reports of reception problems and that an investigation found there was an error in the how the signal bars were displayed, rather than the signal itself.
The casing of Apple's latest phone is made of stainless steel and also serves as its antenna.
Tests carried out this week by Consumer Reports confirmed a problem with the iPhone 4's reception. In what was seen as a body blow to Apple, Consumer Reports said it could not recommend the phone to users because of this flaw.
Recall The tests by Consumer Reports has helped to keep the iPhone 4 antenna problem in the headlines over the last 48 hours.
There have been requests to have the phone recalled but that is seen as unlikely given the damage that would cause to Apple's bottom line and its reputation.
"Apple is probably one of the most important brands of the last 50 years," said Olivier Blanchard, president of Brand Builder Marketing.
"They are rock stars in that sense and I believe that this fiasco with the iPhone 4 is an excuse to attack a company that is becoming such a giant. Five years ago when they were the underdog this would have been a non-issue," Mr Blanchard told BBC News.
Analysts have estimated a recall could cost up to $1.5bn (£1bn) whereas the cost of issuing free rubber bumpers to alleviate the problem would be cheaper. Estimates based on the retail costs of bumpers suggest giving out the protectors would cost nearly $180m (£118m).
Despite the negative headlines, a number of analysts have reported that consumers are not turned off.
"So far, in our supply chain and industry checks, we have not seen any change in build plans or demand patterns and thus we are not changing our estimates looking for 7.5 million iPhones in the June quarter and 40 million in 2010," said Shaw Wu of Kaufman Bros.
"In fact, our sources indicate that Apple is still having difficulty keeping up with strong demand due to screen supply constraints. Should this antenna issue become a bigger deal, there could be a risk to iPhone estimates."

Originally Posted by sccrhound

If you can see this, very interesting

Apple knew about iPhone 4 antenna design flaw - Technology & science - Wireless - msnbc.com

I'm guessing he's the one whose job they were advertising.

Apple - iPhone - New features in the iOS 4 Software Update.

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/07/15/...With iOS 3.2.1

Software updates for iPhone 4 and iPad. Download via iTunes.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Apple - iPhone - New features in the iOS 4 Software Update.

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/07/15/apple-releases-ios-4-0-1-for-iphone-4-3gs-and-3g/]Apple Addresses iPhone Signal Strength Display With iOS 4.0.1 and iPad Wi-Fi Connectivity With iOS 3.2.1

Software updates for iPhone 4 and iPad. Download via iTunes.

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Apple - iPhone - New features in the iOS 4 Software Update.

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/07/15/apple-releases-ios-4-0-1-for-iphone-4-3gs-and-3g/]Apple Addresses iPhone Signal Strength Display With iOS 4.0.1 and iPad Wi-Fi Connectivity With iOS 3.2.1

Software updates for iPhone 4 and iPad. Download via iTunes.

Yes Daffy, but what do *you* think Apple will do?

The value of apology and transparency in business, or, Apple, Inc. and its missed opportunities
Linda Stamato

Apple has a problem. The latest version of its iPhone, iPhone 4, has a flaw, which isn’t a big deal, but the company’s stock value plummeted by $5.00 a share, losing $5 billion of market value on Tuesday. The problem is not the product so much, it’s Apple’s “attitude.” To put it bluntly, Apple lacks a direct and effective public relations and communication strategy and, in business, that matters a lot.

“Apple has never done humble or open particularly well. When its chief, Steve Jobs, became ill, the company first said he had a virus, then a hormone imbalance. He went on medical leave and received a liver transplant before shareholders were informed.” (“Downside of Secrecy,” Reuters Breakingviews, Fiona Maharg-Bravo and Robert Cyran, in the New York Times, July 14, 2010)

Apparently, Apple just doesn’t get it. One of the earliest indications came with the first iPhone. Apple reduced the price of its highly touted, long-awaited iPhone by a third only a little over two months after the phone first came to market. This is the phone the company had hyped for one year, so successfully, in fact, that people camped out overnight and waited in lines for a chance to be one of the first to own one.

And, since Apple rarely discounts its products, customers who had purchased the phone for $599 could legitimately feel a sense of betrayal when the company made its unexpected announcement that the phone would cost only $399. For taking that action, and disappointing so many of its loyal customers, Steve Jobs, founder and CEO, apologized.

But, then as now, the message(s) fell flat, didn’t fly. A coach and strategic communications expert and blogger, Ruth Sherman, for example, subjected Job’s apology to her standard and found it considerably wanting, as follows:

“Apparently, the emails poured in and Steve Jobs and his marketing team knew they had a problem. So they sprang into action and posted a letter to the Apple website. After several paragraphs making the business case for the price cut, the one line that has any meaning appears: “Our early customers trusted us, and we must live up to that trust with our actions in moments like these.” It’s the only line with any heart.

But if actions speak louder than words, then Apple’s attempt at mollifying irate phone owners was a dandy. Apparently “living up to that trust” means a $100 store credit. Some people were placated, but others felt used and let their feelings be known. As one irate customer put it, “I was a $200 phone beta tester for Apple.” This could have something to do with another line in the letter that really gets to the crux of things: “This is life in the technology lane.” BAM! Any hope an early phone customer might have had that Steve Jobs felt their pain was wiped out. He might as well have yelled, “Suckers!”

This is known as the “Sorry, but” form of apology. “Yes, we admit it, and we're sorry but you were stupid to think we wouldn’t” or some other form of blame-the-victim.

According to the “rules” for apology I laid out last week, Apple and Jobs failed at every, single one… Bottom line, Apple screwed its customers that it professes to value so highly. And its efforts to make amends are half-baked, at best. This is not leadership in my book and it certainly doesn't pass for an apology.”

Fast forward to this week. Buyers of the latest iPhone have complained about the antenna; they were initially told to hold the device differently; then they were told a software bug was to blame because it showed that the phone was getting better reception than was the case. But the central claim—dropped calls—which lead Consumer Reports to question Apple’s explanation and recommend against the phone was not addressed.

Curious, this development, for, according to the Times article…

“Everything from the screen to how fast it draws up Web pages is improved (over the handset the iPhone 4 replaces). And signal is on a par with, or even better than, rival phones.”

…but, not surprising given how badly the issue was handled.

Apologies and explanations that don’t pass the credibility test can prove to be counterproductive and set back efforts to restore customer loyalty and attract new customers and clients (and impact stock value).

Questions of timing are critical. The longer it takes a business leader to acknowledge his or her mistake, the more likely the undecided folks will turn against him or her. Business leaders need to understand that if, in the end, it is going to be disclosed that they have erred, it’s better to own up as quickly as possible in order to have a hand in making repairs.

Apologizing by admitting a mistake—to co-workers, employees, customers, clients, the public at large—tends to gain credibility and generate confidence in one’s leadership. Acting defensively, on the other hand, undermines it. Credibility requires that an apology be immediate, unforced, sincere and specific in terms of what exactly one did that was wrong and who specifically has been hurt (or what process flawed or product or service affected).

Not all mistakes require an apology but when the stakes are high, it’s better to seize the opportunity to right things, to offer a sincere apology and face up to the error and to be transparent about it, not hide behind a spokesperson or shift the blame to someone else (or forces beyond his or her control). Perception matters. So do conviction and passion.

In short, there is value in taking the hit: “I’m responsible, I’m sorry. Here is what we’re going to do to make things right.”

Apologies may prove to be essential—in operations, customer and client relations and, generally, to maintain public regard—and they may be expected, increasingly, as more public apologies are made.

Failing to meet expectations can be costly; dealing with genuine—and perceived—shortcomings require action. What makes an apology matter is where it leads, what it generates, what, in the final analysis, happens as a result. The author and theologian Tryon Edwards, had it just right: “Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past.”

Apple may get there but it missed an early—and crucial—opportunity. Reports in today’s press suggest that, in the end, Apple will recall its iPhone 4 for a fix. Stay tuned. An announcement is coming on Friday.

And from the Indy:

Shelly Palmer, technology consultant and founder of Advanced Media Ventures, said critics were underestimating the ferocity with which Apple's fans would stick by the company through its difficulties.


"Apple is not a company, it is a religion. You are a supplicant of Steve Jobs, who is a world leader in making you buy stuff you don't need with money you don't have. People do lose religion - but I'm not sure they will over this antenna problem."

Oh dear, even Wozniak is chiming in.

Et tu, Brute!

Criticism of iPhone 4
"I assume there is no fix then. If this is legit, I have lost all respect for Apple and just want to go back to Verizon and get a nice Android phone. [...] I have bought just about every Apple product made in the last 20 years and this is the first time I am ashamed to be a Mac fan. This is just sickening."
BGR reader's email to an Apple engineer, posted on BGR, 1 July.
"The kind of non-apology apology that politicians give out when they're caught making outrageously offensive comments about a major ethnic group."
Mitch Wagner, Computer World, on Apple's response to the signal loss criticism, 2 July.
"Unless a lot of smart people are suffering from mass hallucination, I don't see how the software glitch Apple detected (completely) explains what's going on here. And Apple, being full of smart people itself, understands that. Right?"
Harry McCracken, Technologizer, on Apple's explanation for the fault, 2 July.
"It's a design flaw, Apple. Sure, it's not as bad as the exploding gas tanks on the Ford Pinto, but an iPhone without the phone is nothing but an overly-expensive iPod Touch."
Jacob Friedman, The Next Web, 2 July.
"The latest Apple iPhone has been riddled with issues since its launch, such as yellowing screens, broken displays and the now infamous signal loss."
Luke Johnson, T3, 9 July.
"It's like the AT&T dead zone has been extended with this new phone."
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak discusses the signal loss in an interview with Henk van Ess.

mc2 = you do realize we are talking about 4.01, and *not* 4.1?

HB & mc2 : maybe you would be well served to wait until:

- after the 4.01 firmware update first impressions roll in.
- after tomorrow's press conference.

Just a well-meaning suggestion, you know.

Detailed Analysis of iPhone 4 Signal Strength Dropoff

Summary from here: Apple's iPhone 4: Thoroughly Reviewed - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Anandtech has managed to provide a detailed analysis of the iPhone 4's potential antenna signal issue. Their analysis may shed some light on people's experiences with the iPhone 4 and the drop-off in signal when the device is being held in hand.

The issue has generated a lot of press since the iPhone 4 launch due to a variety of user reports on the issue. Apple has maintained that a certain amount of signal loss is normal when mobile phones are held in hand. In a leaked support note, they have also insisted that the iPhone 4 antenna performance is better than that of the iPhone 3GS. Based on Anandtech's analysis, it appears Apple is correct in this statement, though with some caveats.



First, Anandtech managed to hack together a way for the iPhone 4 to report actual signal strength instead of the usual 5 bar signal strength scale. As has been noted by many, this 5 bar scale can be a poor representation of the actual signal strength. As seen above, nearly 40% of the range of possible signal levels is reported as 5 bars. Because of this broad range, there could be a huge difference in actual signal strength despite the same "5 bars" being displayed.

They then ran several tests comparing the signal degradation from holding the iPhone 4 in hand in various positions:



As it turns out, the iPhone 4 does have a significantly greater drop-off in signal strength in all positions as compared to the iPhone 3GS which preceded it. Perhaps the most notable difference is in the "Holding Naturally" position which could theoretically "bottom out" a 4 bar signal or bring the low-end of the 5 bar signals down to 1 bar. Holding the iPhone 4 tightly, of course, accentuates the problem. All phones do exhibit the same behavior, though the iPhone 4's external antenna presumably exaggerates the effect.

However, Anandtech points out that in their testing they found the iPhone 4 antenna is indeed improved over the 3GS -- adding validity to Apple's previous statements. In their testing, Anandtech found that at very low signal strengths (down to -113), the iPhone 4 would hold onto calls far better than the iPhone 3GS.

It's amazing really to experience the difference in sensitivity the iPhone 4 brings compared to the 3GS, and issues from holding the phone aside, reception is absolutely definitely improved. I felt like I was going places no iPhone had ever gone before. There's no doubt in my mind this iPhone gets the best cellular reception yet, even though measured signal is lower than the 3GS.

All in all, the findings may help to explain some seemingly discrepant statements and observations. While the iPhone 4 is likely to perform better at the same signal level as the iPhone 3GS, the signal of the iPhone 4 may be more greatly reduced by attenuation when being held in the same position. This could explain all but the most extreme issues depicted. In the end, Anandtech also suggests using a case may be best move and that with a bumper case, the iPhone 4 has the same attenuation performance as other other smartphones.

Daffy, you clearly don't understand enough about wireless to understand the truth of the matter. Stop pretending you do.

Look at the signals (no pun intended) Apple has sent out so far instead of scrounging around looking for whatever crumbs of hope you can find on the internet to avoid the inevitable truth about your beloved iPhone4. Apple fucked up big time. Deal with it.

Hey Daffy, remember I said a bumper and a voucher eh?

In a note sent out Thursday morning, Ashok Kumar, an analyst at Rodman & Renshaw, said the long-term fix is mechanical. "Our supply chain checks reveal that Apple has instituted a design fix for the iPhone 4 that more adequately insulates the transceiver module," he wrote in the note.
How, or when, Apple would implement a fix for existing iPhone 4 owners, however, is unclear.
Ever since the iPhone 4 was released on June 24, some iPhone owners have complained that when gripping the phone around the lower left-hand corner of the device, the signal degrades or calls are dropped.

Apple's iPhone achieves joke status.

My favourite: "Apple is holding a press conference on Friday, but will they hold it the right way?"

Bwahahahahaha!

Apple has achieved what might once have seemed impossible: it has made the iPhone a bigger joke than Microsoft Bob. The iPhone 4’s defective antenna design has now featured on the BBC’s Top Gear programme, and been the subject of a David Letterman “Top 10” list.

It has also inspired lots of cartoons and humorous photos, including a wooden iHand, for holding the iPhone, and a new Apple slogan: Hold Different.

Perhaps my favourite from the compilation of iPhone joke photos assembled by OS X Daily is the first one. It’s based on the standard routine where Steve Jobs is chatting with Bill Gates. Jobs says: “Hey, have you tested out the new iPhone?” Gates says “No” and Jobs delivers the punchline: “Me neither.” Ho ho.

It’s pretty shocking that Apple managed to ship millions of phones without the design flaw being found and dealt with, but that does seem to be the case. And I’d guess the reason is that, due to Apple’s culture of extreme secrecy, the phones were “tested” inside different cases, like the one mislaid in a bar. Either way, it has tarnished Apple’s reputation for good design.

Verizon has been making fun of AT&T and Apple’s iPhone in its US television advertising, and Apple has also been ridiculed by Google, but both of those companies are out to make a buck. Being mocked by Jeremy Clarkson and David Letterman on popular TV programmes is another matter.

In fact, the whole market may be turning against Apple. Dave Winer, a long-time Mac user and developer, and the man behind RSS, says: “I don't think the problem is with the iPhone 4. I think what we're seeing is Apple's charm wearing off. The Reality Distortion Field bubble is about to burst. Their run as the Exceptional Company is about to end.”

He adds: “When I read their first public response on July 2, the one that said the problem was the meter measuring the strength of AT&T's signal, I couldn't believe this was meant to be taken seriously. It's the kind of story The Onion might have written on a bad day. Or Jon Stewart. That a corporate PR team wrote this says how unseasoned their people are. That they thought this answer was going to satisfy anyone says how out of touch they are with the world they are in.”

Anybody with a working brain has always known that Apple is just another multi-national capitalist corporation, and the most unusual things about it are (a) that it manages to charge far higher prices (and make bigger margins) than the Taiwanese and Chinese corporations who actually make Apple kit; and (b) that it has a small but vocal pseudo-religious following of happy-clappy people who will think whatever His Holiness Steve Jobs tells them to think, even when he does one of his famous U-turns.

In the past decade, Apple’s business has grown far, far larger than its fanboy following, and it’s no longer a beleaguered underdog at risk of going bust. In fact, it’s extremely rich. As Winer says, it’s now The Man. And it’s The Man who is now being laughed at over the iPhone 4.

Update: Apple is holding an iPhone press conference on Friday July 16, which has prompted many more jokes on Twitter. Examples include "Apple is holding a press conference on Friday, but will they hold it the right way?" ([at]GlennF) and "It is completely untrue that left-handed people will get a bad reception at the Apple iPhone 4 press conference on Friday" ([at]charlesarthur).

Of course Daffy is doing the silent treatment on the press conference because he hasn't got a clue, nor the balls to take a stab.

Watch for him claiming to have known all along once the truth is revealed....

Nothing on Bloomberg or CNBC mentiong the press conference, but I'll leave them on and flick between the two in case they decide to cover it live.

Should be quite the comedy show if they don't offer an apology.

Clogiron,

I posted earlier in the thread reports that users of legacy iPhones have reported reduced battery life since upgrading.

Have you monitered that?