The Apple iPhone 4 antenna reception drama continued Friday. The company announced that the iPhone 4 antenna issue could be remedied with a simple iPhone software update. As outlined by Apple, there isn’t a reception problem. Signal strength is being shown inaccurately because of defective software. The screen shows too many bars in areas with weak reception. Since the reception is already weak, gripping the phone by its lower right side further obscures the signal. This isn’t believed by everyone.
iPhone software update — with a catch
A media storm began when complaints multiplied from iPhone 4 owners devastated that their ultimate gadget lost reception when held a certain way, which became known as the “death grip.” Apple dismissed the complaints at first. Then the Apple/AT and T class action lawsuits began coming. CNN reports that now Apple officially admits the iPhone 4 antenna issue exists. The company promises to have a software update out soon – but there is a small catch. Even though signal strength might be more accurately represented, it won’t do anything about the reception issues that outraged iPhone 4 users are suffering through now.
Apply might sell iPhone covers
At first, Apple issued a formal statement saying $ 30 protective bumpers can lessen the reception issue. The problem occurs when a user’s bare skin bridges the two antennas embedded within the edge of the phone. You will find other covers costing much less. Ign.com reported that for $ 14.95, a product called GelaSkins are effective in preventing the iPhone 4 death grip issue. But according to Engadget, the yellow Lance Armstrong Livestrong rubber bracelet works just also, and it’s only a buck.
Apple will be throwing AT and T under the bus
A note on Apple’s site information the company’s official position on the iPhone 4 death grip issue. Rob Pegoraro who is from The Washington Post reports that Apple “gracefully throws AT and T under the bus,” insisting the iPhone 4 antenna reception issue is not a hardware problem.” Apple said, the business was stunned to find that AT and T’s formula to calculate how bars displayed signal strength is “totally wrong.” The iPhone software update also applies to the earlier iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G. Evidently the AT and T bug affects them too, although none of those iPhone owners filed lawsuits about it.
Wisdom of iPhone software update tested
There are many who don’t agree with Apple’s explanation of their problem. Apple Insider reports that a New York business owner said just touching the bottom left of the phone would cause a call to drop within 10 seconds, in plain view of the cell tower. The iPhone 4 gets the best reception than any other phone also. The tests also determined that cupping the iPhone 4 tightly can result in a loss of 24.6 dB of signal. The tests also definitely proved the iPhone cover lessened the effects of the iPhone 4 death grip.
Is it really going to be an Apple iPhone software update or an Apple iPhone bumper? Stay tuned …
Discover more info:
CNN
cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/07/02/apple.iphone.apology/index.html?npt=NP1
Rob Pegoraro at The Washington Post
voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2010/07/apple_blames_iphone_4_receptio.html
Apple Insider
appleinsider.com/articles/10/07/02/apple_gives_a_business_free_bumpers_for_iphone_4_reception_issues.html
