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Home » Posts tagged 'iPhone 4 problems'
Apple discontinues iPhone 4 Case program after 30th September
Posted:
September 11, 2010
By: soyacincau
1 comment
Remember the whole antenna gate issue several months back? Apple had held an emergency press conference that announced Free bumpers to all iPhone 4 users who purchased their device until 30th September.
With 30th September coming, Apple has announced that its iPhone 4 Free case program is coming to an end. They added on their website that:
We now know that the iPhone 4 antenna attenuation issue is even smaller than we originally thought. A small percentage of iPhone 4 users need a case, and we want to continue providing them a Bumper case for free. For everyone else, we are discontinuing the free case program on all iPhone 4s sold after September 30, 2010. We are also returning to our normal returns policy for all iPhone 4s sold after September 30. Users experiencing antenna issues should call AppleCare to request a free Bumper case.
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Small issue they said, after all that effort attack its rivals on Antenna Attenuation. We guess Apple probably realised despite the whole Antennagate issue, its iPhone 4 sales still remained strong with or without a case included.
In Malaysia, our local carriers Maxis and DiGi have yet to release their iPhone 4 officially. We’re not sure if they are just waiting out for the free bumper program to expire considering Maxis had already start selling the iPhone 3GS 8GB which was announced together with the iPhone 4. If they launch the iPhone 4 this month, Malaysians will have to rush to redeem their free bumpers like free flight hunters on AirAsia.
[ SOURCE ]
Apple removes rival comparison on Antennagate site
Posted:
August 2, 2010
By: soyacincau
1 comment
Apple has updated its Antenna Attenuation site, removing their “how to drop signal bars on rival smartphones” content. Previously the site was focused on telling the world that other phones such as Blackberries, Nokia, Androids and Windows Mobile are just as bad as the iPhone 4 when it comes to antenna reception. Now what’s left is Apple showcasing its Antenna design and research.
So what prompted Apple to remove them? Some say Apple finally learned to hold its rival phones properly but we believed they’ve realised that they are getting more negative response than what was intended. Apple had received a lot of flak for dragging rivals to their own problems instead of addressing them. We’ve seen how Nokia, RIM, Samsung, HTC and Motorola responded towards the campaign, telling off Apple that with many years in the industry, they know better where to place their antennas.
Slashgear managed to get in touch with Apple and claims that their update is merely their drive to “constantly refresh” their content. They denied any legal action against them and no hidden message behind the move. The video contents are still available on Apple’s Youtube channel.
Looks like this is the end of Antennagate wars, or is it? Apple has pulled the plug but we’re not sure if its rivals will drop the subject.
[ SOURCE, VIA, 2 ]
Motorola fights back iPhone 4, mocks the need for bumper
Posted:
July 28, 2010
By: soyacincau
1 comment
After having Motorola Droid X included on Apple’s Antenna Attenuation site, Motorola fights back again with another ad. This time it disses iPhone 4′s need to wear a bumper and proudly mentions its vast experience in making phones.
This is the 2nd one after its first version that obviously made fun of phones that doesn’t allow you to hold the phone any way you liked.
If you can’t see the text above, the copy below the phone is written as follows:
At Motorola, we believe a customer shouldn’t have to dress up their phone for it to work properly. That’s why the DROID X comes with a dual antenna design. The kind that allows you to hold the phone any way you like to make crystal clear calls without a bulky phone jacket. For us it’s just one of those things that comes as a given when you’ve been making mobile phones for over 30 years.
Samsung UK giving away Galaxy S to unhappy iPhone 4 owners
Posted:
July 24, 2010
By: soyacincau
2 comments
While Apple is busy fire fighting the Antennagate issue, Samsung did more than just mocking the iPhone 4. It took a step further by offering FREE Samsung Galaxy S to disgrunted iPhone 4 users in the UK via its twitter account @samsungukmobile. The devices are reported to be unlocked and contract free.
Quite a smart move of them as these unhappy iPhone 4 users are converted to Android after much whining and complaining on Twitter. According to its twitter account, they have shipped several units already and at time of this post, it looks like there are only a few units left.
While this isn’t happening in Malaysia, the closest option to get a free Samsung Galaxy S was through Maxis 10 programme where reviewers may possibily keep it for free. Perhaps Maxis & Samsung in Malaysia should learn something from this.
Antennagate: Apple adds Motorola Droid X
Posted:
July 24, 2010
By: soyacincau
2 comments
Apple is definitely feeling very sour over Antennagate. While they have just launched its free case program, they still have time to attack on its rivals on the Antennagate site. Recently they have added Nokia N97 Mini and today they added the Motorola Droid X into the list. Apple doesn’t seem to be slowing down and if they have it their way, they might probably add as many devices out there in the market.
No matter what Apple does, the fact remains that having an external antenna at places where people normally hold their phone is a flawed iPhone 4 design. Its attempt of dragging other phones in are pathetic. Sure, Apple has made a point that Antenna Attenuation does happen on other devices but the way they hold other devices in the demo is unnatural. We doubt anyone is going to hold it like that especially with fingers covering the screen while talking.
Since Apple has already “solved” the problem with the iPhone 4 Case Program, they should just drop this and focus their resources elsewhere. Can someone say White iPhone 4? At the end of the day, you’ll still see Apple Fanboys buying the iPhone 4 and the rest of us remembering it for its antennagate.
There’s recently a blog called “Don’t Hold it Wrong” which shows excerpts and screenshots of smartphones showing Antenna placements and where not to touch them. Check it out.
Apple Antennagate: HTC Droid Eris has less complaints compared to iPhone 4
Posted:
July 18, 2010
By: soyacincau
2 comments
When Apple started smearing its own problems on its rivals, RIM and Nokia had came out with an immediate response for it. HTC now has kind of responded as well since their Droid Eris was “showcased” on Apple’s Antenna Attenuation site.
According to HTC’s PR head, the HTC Droid Eris had approxtimately 0.016% complains with regards to signal or antenna problems. This is about 3X less compared to Apple’s 0.5% mentioned on yesterday’s press conference. To be fair, we do note that HTC Eris obviously sold less than the iPhone 4 3 million units but the point here is that signal loss is not really an issue for HTC. Even when Apple showed the HTC Eris, the antenna is placed at the top which is not an area you would often hold.
[ SOURCE ]
Nokia & RIM rebuts Apple’s Antenna Attenuation campaign
Posted:
July 17, 2010
By: soyacincau
4 comments
When Apple diverts the Antenna Issue on Blackberry, Androids & Windows Mobiles, the rivals obviously won’t keep quiet. Nokia and RIM had immediately hit out on Apple’s so called education of Antenna Attenuation which showed a Blackberry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris and Samsung Omnia II suffer signal loss when hold at particular spots.
Antenna issue: Apple says other smartphones are just as bad
Posted:
July 17, 2010
By: ccsoya
4 comments
Following the press conference, Apple has a section on its website to demonstrate the three smartphones currently in the market that show the same problem as the iPhone 4.
The thing is, we’re used two (Bold 9700 and Omnia 2) of the three smartphones Apple has singled out and in no way have we experienced the same attenuation as the one being reported on the iPhone 4.
Also, both exhibited better reception performance compared to the iPhone 3GS that we’re using. In addition we noted that Apple does not explain in any detail how they conducted these tests. If the method is not known, then there no way of consistently replicating the attenuation Apple say exists on these devices.
In any case, Apple is using a tried and tested PR tactic to deviate attention from the real issue by putting forth an argument that the iPhone 4 is not the only phone with such a problem. From our experience with the Omnia 2 and the Bold 9700 but a lot more other phones out there, we can’t recall a phone that has such an issue with reception as the iPhone 4.
It will be interesting to see if Samsung, HTC and BlackBerry will respond to this.
By the way, if you missed the press connference earlier, here’s a link to the official video. Enjoy.
Apple, the iPhone 4, Bumper and the antenna issue
Posted:
July 17, 2010
By: ccsoya
6 comments
When Apple called for the last minute press conference just a day ago there was much speculation on what exactly it is that Steve will reveal.
Top on the list was an announcement to recall all iPhone 4s available today to fix the well documented antenna issue. In hindsight, we should have been able to tell you that a recall is completely out of the question.
We know that a complete re-design of the device is necessary to solve the root cause of the problem. And a re-design would almost certainly be impossible in such a short time span — the iPhone 4 is barely a month in the market.
And if there’s no replacement how can you expect a recall? What would Apple replace the iPhone 4 with if it had announced a recall? An iPhone 3GS? We don’t think so.
In our pre-conference post we also mentioned that it would be highly unlikely that Apple would give free Bumpers to all iPhone 4 users. Well, it’s unlikely but it is not impossible.
To appease its customers and to get people to deviate away from the real issue at hand, Steve Jobs announced that Apple will be giving away free Bumpers with all iPhone 4 purchased including the ones before the announcement.
This means, everyone with an iPhone 4 will be getting a free Bumper. If the user has already purchase a Bumper, then he will get a refund for the purchase. Jobs also mentioned that Apple will not be able to make enough Bumpers for everyone, so they will give you the option to choose third party cases for your iPhone 4. Apple will be giving free Bumpers until 30 September. It’s a nice gesture, but this doesn’t solve the real problem, it’s just side-stepping it.
Whoopi Goldberg smashes her iPhone 4 for being BAD!
Posted:
July 16, 2010
By: soyacincau
No comments
While we wait for the big announcement from Apple, Whoopi Goldberg has taken matters to her own hands. When Whoopi was talking on the phone for a live interview, the iPhone 4 failed on her. Frustrated with the device, she came out from her car and smashed it on the floor into pieces.
She still has the 3G version which she claims it is still reliable and working well.
Check out the video after the jump.
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