Holding iPhone 4 With Your Hand Blocks Reception

[jazz84]

I need to don my asbestos suit for this level of flaming stupidity on the part of Apple. Has anyone over there ever heard of "Product testing?" You'd think that before they release an "innovation" like this, someone in the lab would be all, "Hey, when I hold this thing, it actually kinda sucks! We should fix that." But, as has been pointed out, they're just gonna use it as a sales opportunity for fanboys / fangirls who just don't know any better.

 

[Userremoved]

I use my feet. Using hands is so yesterday.

 

[L0tus]

Epic

 

[Guest]

Apple has issued a statement on the reception issues some iPhone 4 users are reporting when holding the device in their left hands, with their palms bridging the small gap between the upper and lower steel plates. According to Engadget, Apple said, “Gripping any mobile phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.” Notably, a large portion of Apple’s promotional material for the phone up to this point has featured people holding the phone in the exact same manner, and while the service changes do not appear to be as severe as the loss in service “bar” indicators suggests, the issue is gaining media attention and could become a larger problem should it become more widespread.

 

[eyemaster]

I don't get it. Usually, when you touch the antena, you become an extention of that antena. It would make no sense that you destroy the reception, it should enhance it.

 

[g0rilla]

This is why I never preorder anything.

 

[blackbyron]

I'm going to the Apple Store today and check out the Iphone, and see if the phone loses reception when holding it.

 

[omnimodis78]

[citation][nom]jazz84[/nom]'...Has anyone over there ever heard of "Product testing?" You'd think that before they release an "innovation" like this, someone in the lab would be all, "Hey, when I hold this thing, it actually kinda sucks! We should fix that." ...'[/citation]
Oh, I'm sure some engineers did do that, but then Jobs came in, slapped them accross the face, ripped thier badges off, and now they are working in the Call Center in India as call agents, making $8/month as punishment (that's still $3/month more than the average Indian apple slave).

 

[phexac]

Now we know the real reason Job's could not get reception for his iPhone during that presentation....

 

[geossj5]

lol next up iPhone 4S with improved reception
:O innovative..
techno marvel.. :O

LOL

 

[theuerkorn]

[citation][nom]eyemaster[/nom]I don't get it. Usually, when you touch the antena, you become an extention of that antena. It would make no sense that you destroy the reception, it should enhance it.[/citation]
I'm puzzled by that myself. I guess there is an effect and some people are trying to get all the mileage out of it they can ... even if it's just a metering effect rather than a receiption effect as some sources claim. I can move my 3G at home (as most of those videos are shot INSIDE) and sometimes minor orientation changes result in 2 - 3 bars difference.

Either way, I agree that including the "bumper" in the price would have been a smart move.

 

[Guest]

touching both sides of antenna in effect shorts the antenna, your body does not become an extension of the antenna, it becomes a replacement for it, and the metal band has infinitely better reception then your body

well based upon the 'lost' iPhone the testing was done using a case to disguise the prototype which means the testers were never able to replicate the effect

and smochina sure sounds like he/she got themselves an iPhone 4 and now a little bitter about it

 

[phexac]

Description of the rubber band thingie from Apple website:

"Made of durable rubber and molded plastic, the two-tone iPhone 4 Bumper fits snugly around the edges of your iPhone 4 and gives it a splash of color. It's a fun and unique way to personalize your iPhone 4."

 

[thedreadfather]

[citation][nom]shortmetoo[/nom]touching both sides of antenna in effect shorts the antenna, your body does not become an extension of the antenna, it becomes a replacement for it, and the metal band has infinitely better reception then your body[/citation]
You're close.
The iPhone 4 has two antennas: one for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and one for wireless/3G. The bottom-left corner of the device is where they "meet." By placing your hand on both antennas at that location, you essentially short them out. That's why the key in the video worked.

 

[Guest]

hold different

 

[getritch]

[citation][nom]Smochina[/nom]and you guys will still be pointing fingers with stupid reasons instead of enjoying whatever your heart desires.[/citation]

Do I think Apple does something right? Sure. i just bought an Itouch for my gf birthday. It was miles overpriced and i bemoan its lack of an SD card reader in this day and age, but it is cool, and she enjoys it.

personally though? do i want to pay more money for less hardware, less customization (without the hassle of cracking it first) and terrible call quality/service? no. no i don't.

PS: i also dont want to look like an iDouche.