The Apple press conference round up…

By on Jul 16, 2010 at 2:38 PM
mobile July 16, 2010

Apple Logo-Black + White

The much anticipated Apple press conference has just concluded. Here is — in bullet form — what we just learned:

  • The iPhone 4 death grip signal degradation thingy happens to a lot of smartphones. Apple demonstrated it on a BlackBerry 9700, Samsung Omnia 2, and HTC DROID Eris.
  • The software update (4.0.1) released yesterday will take care of the error in the signal calculation algorithm that Apple discovered several weeks ago.
  • Another software update to address other issues (like the proximity sensor thing) is due “soon.”
  • Until September 30th, Apple will be giving iPhone 4 purchasers/owners a free bumper or case (depending on supply). A website with details will go live next week.
  • Users who already purchased a bumper will be eligible for a refund. You had to have purchased an Apple bumper, not a third-party case.
  • The return rate on the iPhone 3GS at AT&T stores was 6%, the return rate of the iPhone 4 is 1.7%.
  • The white iPhone 4 will be out sometime later the month.
  • Apple has sold over 3 million iPhone 4s thus far.
  • 0.55% of iPhone 4 owners have called in to AppleCare to complain.
  • Steve Jobs does not use a bumper on his iPhone 4.

There you have it. We want to hear from you iPhone 4 owners. Did Steve’s talk calm you down? Are you happy with this resolution? Will you be returning your iPhone 4?

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  • http://www.adtwik.com Omar

    If you don’t have an iPhone 4 then all this is a none issue for you. And if you have one then get the free case or return the device and issue close.

    • Jason

      Excellent point.

      But the haters want to hang someone. Get over it people.

  • Cody

    First everyone that bought the iPhone and still has it likes it. That is why we bought it.
    What we don’t like is that the phone doesn’t function properly as a Phone. This is caused by Apple’s brilliantly engineered antenna. This is Apple’s fault.
    Offering a free case doesn’t cut it. Telling me if I don’t like that to return it. All I can say to Steve is Get ready for the Lawsuits…People have been suing Apple over stupid crap since the iPhone came out. Apple just opened the flood gates.

    • Woo

      lol lawsuit are you serious? It’s a product, if you don’t like it don’t buy it. If you have one and don’t like it return it. STFU, People are suing apple for easy money not for justice. EASY MONEY. Get a job and get a life.

      • antiWoo

        Woo,..really? Your response has some loose connections..I’m thinking mental illness? It’s a consumer protection topic. To sum up: Cool it Francis.

      • ConsumerLawyer

        Clearly Woo, you have no concept of law. In a nutshell there is a Federal Trade Commission regulation that indicates that every product has to have a reasonable assumption of reliability within the scope of the available technology at the time. If a product is manufactured with a known defect, under law, consumers can in fact sue that manufacturer for recompense.

        The success of that lawsuit will be based on a)whether Apple chooses to drag it out in court for years and years, b) the skill and success of the lawyers on both sides, c) whether the technical people from either side is able to ocnvince the judge/jury their information is correct. THIS will be the crux of the argument because Stevie Jobs made a point to include other manufacturers in his demonstration yesterday.

        His problem will be that these manufacturers will probably all be called as witnesses, and considering the fact that each of them has been making phones for a minimum of 20+ years, and Apple only 3, the wealth of knowledge and information will lean toward the plaintiffs.

        Jobs will have to demontrate that he has knowledge about antennas that has gone unknown or undiscovered since the history of radio (yes radio, as the phones actually do use radio transceivers to make/receive calls). The physics of RF radiation is something Mr. Jobs cannot refute.

        Your body produces an electrical current, and that current, when placed in direct contact with an antenna, will create interference. An example is when you extend the antenna on a radio, and then grab hold of the antenna, you hear static in the song/program you are listening to. To place the antenna on the iphone on the outer surface of the phone, which if you notice NO OTHER MANUFACTURER DOES, makes this device fundamentally flawed.

      • Moe

        Apple will have to answer: How much radiation the user is exposed to when he or she touches the Iphone’s antenna during a normal call.
        how is THAT safe?

    • Ayon

      Just my two cents….I think that Apple has unintentionally set themselves up for lawsuits. Note I didnt say justified lawsuits. Its mainly because they want all their customers to be die hard fans who live, breathe, and eat Apple. Working in the wireless industry I have NEVER seen Fans as zealous as Apple fans. So its not a matter of “if you dont like it, dont buy it” for people who have had nothing but iPhones. I think, to an extent, the feel as though getting the iPhone4 is the next logical step and since there are flaws they feel cheated.

      Again, just my two cents.

  • Roger

    Just start selling it as the iPad mini. Who needs a phone anyway?

  • Zach

    Hmmm. I would like to know first of all Apple Store return rates.

    Then I want to know the real numbers.
    1.7% return rate = 3mil x .017 = 51,000 or more
    6% return rate for 3GS, and it’s been 22 days. So the 3GS was at 2.8 million in one month, so 2/3 of that is around 1.9 million.
    1.9 million x .06 = 117,000 in 22 days.

    So it’s only a around 50% drop in returns, not as a more than 70% apple claims.

    Plus they are still lying

    • Woo

      Apple Store return rates are included within AT&T because you are not just buying the phone from the Apple Store you need to get approval from AT&T service. Which it means if they returned the product to Apple retail or Apple online store that number effects AT&T return rates. You don’t have an iPhone and never used it.
      For your calculation:
      3 million x .55% = 3,000,000 x .0055 = 16500 complaints
      3 million x 1.7% = 3,000,000 x .017 = 51000 returns

      • antiWoo

        Okay Francis,,..this is getting a little old. What is up your butt dude? You’re not really seeing the forest. I feel like you have some unresolved issues.

  • Aaron

    Doesn’t matter. Too little, too late. I returned my iPhone 4 on Wednesday and ordered a Droid X yesterday. Goodbye Apple, and Steve Jobs’ arrogance.

    • Woo

      Good Job /cheer

  • annoyedbyFastwalking

    to Fastwalking: Dude please shut up!!!!! Let us hear what everybody has to say. We get it you “like” Steve. Go watch the Apple video over and over and over and over. You sure have the patience to hear Steve all day long.

    • Fastwalking

      @annoyed – Who are you kidding? You’re not interested in what “everybody” has to say, only what you and your fellow fandroids have to say and I`m tired of listening to you drone on and on about a product you`ve never tried.

      But hey what are you doing here? Didn’t you hear there is a sale on Nexxus One. If you run down there now you can get three for the price of one.

    • Fastwalking

      @annoyed – By the way, just how many usernames do you have? How many of these comments are from you? Or is “annoyedbyFastwalking” the username you always use? Or do you create a new username for each response? This whole thing is starting to look suspicious.

    • Fastwalking

      @annoyed – By the way, just how many usernames do you have? How many of these comments are from you? Or is “annoyedbyFastwalking” the username you always use? Or do you create a new username for each response? This whole thing is starting to look suspicious.

  • justin

    love my iPhone 4. LOVE IT!!!!!!

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

  • Giorgio

    I wish I had some of the problems on my iPhone 4 that people are having. I understand people’s complaints, but since the release I’ve had a Speck CandyShell on mine (and plan on an Element Vapor case) so I haven’t had or noticed any reception issues. It definitely has better reception than my 3GS did (4.01 made it even better in terms of holding a signal with low bars).

    Mine does have the proximity issue, but since I drive a lot for work, I use a Voyager Pro 9/10 times I’m on a phone call (stupid city ordinances) and don’t really notice it.

    Fix the proximity sensor and I have nothing to complain about myself. All in all I love my i4 and my Droid X, but this article is about the i4 so shall be my post.

    • ConsumerLawyer

      Giorgio, if you buy a Toyota, and because your Toyota’s accelerator never sticks, does that mean that there is not a problem with Toyotas?

      The same applies to your iphone. Simply because your individual phone has not demonstrated the issue means a) you have not held it in a manner that would duplicate the problem, and b) you bought a case for it that reduces the ability for your body’s electrochemical process to impact the phone. That does not mean your phone is not flawed.

      • tmogeek

        And the Law firms will bring a class action lawsuit on behalf of the poor consumer, and win a huge multi-million dollar settlement. The consumer will be awarded a coupon good for $100 off their next iPhone/Apple product and the lawyers will reap the big bucks. Real justice?

  • Jason

    Android is perfect? Have we forgotten about all the issue every “android flag ship” phone has had?
    Nexus one had issues with the screen and 3G connectivity. Evo’s glass separates as well as the numerous screen issues. The famous droid had email issues and microSD Card problems. Plus already the Droid X is having activation issues. Talk about not being able to use you brand new phone.

  • imoney

    I came from owning two BlackBerrys on ATT in a row to the iPhone 4. I used to suffer from the abnormal dislike of Apple that many of you guys around here suffer from. I guess that ended when I got fed up with half a screen and bought an iPhone. I wanted the EVO but settled for the iPhone because I was stuck on Att. It was a good decision. No matter how you slice it, it’s an awesome piece of hardware. Not the only awesome piece out there, but still awesome.

    Trust me, if you bought it and can reproduce the death grip, you aint taking it back. The numbers show it. If you haven’t bought, but yet you’re on here commenting about it, it would seem that shows that you’re a bit fixated on Apple. Are you trying to get back at those apple fanboys who made you feel small before you got your Android? If you are so happy with your Android, why are you on here squealing like stuck pigs because you think Apple got its comeuppance?

    Ooohhh, I get it. Despite the fact that you got your fancy Apple alternative, not enough other people recognize your rise in status. So let’s take Apple down a few notches, that way we can get that superiority experience that we begrudged those fanboys.

    The EVO rocks, I want that big screen and wifi hotspot. I wish iPhone’s email was on par with my old BlackBerry, and i wish it had a messenger that didn’t suck. No fanboy, just a user laughing at all you dorks who allow owning a phone make you feel like a stud.

    • ConsumerLawyer

      Dude, in your last paragraph, you just named three fundamental things, other than making calls, that a smartphone is supposed to be able to do.

      So how then does that mean your phone rocks?

      And as for making calls, iphone, iphone 3g, iphone 3gs and now iphone 4, ALL have the same problem…AT&T’s crappy network. So the only rocking thing about the phone is the looks.

  • Moe

    The Iphone is a beautiful thing, having said that, I think people is forgetting something important: If you use a Iphone without the “bumper” you risk touching the antenna and being exposed to radiation, yes your hand will absorb radiation from the phone and since the phone will try to compensate for low reception the amount could be harmful on the long run.

    • Robert Kamp

      The wavelengths for radio communications aren’t ionizing. So the radiation you are speaking of isn’t anything like nuclear power, getting an x-ray, or taking a long flight. It is true that you are absorbing the radiation (or more concisely; attenuating it) but this should give you cancer, affect your ability to have children, or result in super powers. Not all radiation is the same.

      • Robert Kamp

        *Shouldn’t give you cancer

  • Jason

    @Fastwalking,

    exactly!

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

    • Fastwalking

      @Jason

  • rileyfreeman

    love how the other countries getting the iphone was completely left out of this roundup.

    i guess on u.s.a matters…

  • Stephy

    I work at an At&t store and as far as the customers we’ve helped when selling the iPhone4, we haven;t had any complaints or issues, we haven’t gotten any calls regarding that. I’ve only had 1 dropped call with my iPhone4 and I’ve had it since launch date, maybe I just got a good batch of the phones, but working with phones for as long as I have I’ve realized that people expect everything to be perfect when just like anything else it won’t be. Just think about it this way, you have a piece of hardware in your hand that can make calls anywhere, browse the internet, download different apps, go on youtube, use as a camera, alarm clock, e-mailing, navigation, ect., and you expect something that has all those things on it to be perfect?? Not very likely. And I agree with some of the comments here, if you don’t like it, nothings stopping you from taking it back and if you don’t have it, it’s king of pointless to be arguing or teasing on a forum where you haven’t experienced the product.

  • Marcus

    I just can’t understand how anyone would be happy with an expensive device that has a major flaw. Considering you have to waste a 2 year upgrade and we all know the next iPhone will not have this issue. Why would anyone grab an iPhone 4 knowing they will be stuck for 2 years, when in one year the next device will be better?

    Return this junk don’t let apple sneak crap out the door. This is close to being illegal.

  • Fyrfyter

    Wow, more smoke and mirrors from Apple. The sheer arrogance and pompous assness from Steve Jobs is unbelieveable! How stupid, that he cannot own up to a mistake his company made, and then tries to throw a bunch of other manufacturers under the bus. The best parts are what they had to say

    RIM:
    “Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.”

    – Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie

    Nokia:
    “Antenna design is a complex subject and has been a core competence at Nokia for decades, across hundreds of phone models. Nokia was the pioneer in internal antennas; the Nokia 8810, launched in 1998, was the first commercial phone with this feature.

    Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying human behavior, including how people hold their phones for calls, music playing, web browsing and so on. As you would expect from a company focused on connecting people, we prioritize antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict.

    In general, antenna performance of a mobile device/phone may be affected with a tight grip, depending on how the device is held. That’s why Nokia designs our phones to ensure acceptable performance in all real life cases, for example when the phone is held in either hand. Nokia has invested thousands of man hours in studying how people hold their phones and allows for this in designs, for example by having antennas both at the top and bottom of the phone and by careful selection of materials and their use in the mechanical design.”

    Up yours Steve-O. The fact is you suck, and your company screwed up. Take the blame, replace the phones and be done with it. This long drawn out tirade is showing me overall, how stupid you really are, and how dysfunctional of a company Apple really is, when it cannot own up to its own mistakes, and tries to fling the mud in another direction.

    • Tim

      RIM (and the others) can fire back all they want, but the facts are the facts:

      (Taken from BGR’s post itself, so it’s not an Apple video.)

  • http://buku.um.ac.id fajar

    mangstabbb bro

  • obisun

    I guess it wasn’t so magical after all. I agree with a lot, if you don’t like it go get a full return. I would, why keep a device your not satisfied with. I think some thought it truly was a magical device and was literally going to change their lives. Not going to happen I love my phone and the antenna issue doesn’t apply to me or my buddies that have ip4′s.

  • HillBill

    iPhone 4 drops “just” 1% more than 3GS. Hmm..3GS is one of the worst performing phone for dropped calls. and iPhone 4 beats that? Average dropped call rate is around 1% means iPhone 4 drops double the number of cals compared to an average phone? If it drops more calls than 3GS, then how is it the best handset shipped by Apple? So the new revolutionary antenna causes more dropped calls according to SJ?

  • GeniusBoy

    11:24AM Q: You’ve been communicating with customers through email quite a bit — how is that impacting how you’re dealing with these issues.
    Steve: I always have, and you know, the address is out there and I’ve always emailed people back. I try to reply to some of them because they’re our customers. But now people post them to the web… and some people just make things up. So don’t believe everything you read!

  • pjcamp

    The last line says it all: Steve doesn’t do it so it you’re worried about this you’re an idiot.

    Of course, Steve has a cell repeater in his building. You don’t.

  • Max

    GOD people lets move on!! If your having a lot of problems with iPhone then RETURN IT and get something else or if your keeping shut the HELL up stop complaining about it!!! It not like you can’t return!!!!!!
    I don’t get it Apple has made so many many amazing products!!! But soon as they mess up on ONE thing everyone bashes apple and all this shit. I mean my GOD people and companies sometimes mess up. They showed there was a problem and its not as big as everyone made it out to be. There giving cases way for free for the people who might have the problem. Apple will do better next time!!! It’s life things happen LETS move on PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I personal haven’t had the probably at all and have better reception actually!! I DON’T use a case!!!!

  • http://www.itsagadget.com Andrei

    Apple design mistake with iPhone 4 could cost them a lot. Also, dragging other companies like Nokia, Htc or Samsung means Apple will face a big war from now on.
    Shame on you Apple!
    http://www.itsagadget.com/2010/07/apple-admits-iphone-4-antenna-issue-and-will-give-free-cases.html

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  • Seanyboii

    My eris has this death grip?!?! Damn…..not all these afourm fags (an android app) can stfu cuz it’s not only the iPhone…they think android is better cuz they don’t have the death grip…WRONG I guess most phones do but it’s prominent on the iPhone 4

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