ThePedigree
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http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/...s-dodging-iphone-4-issues-20100715-10c5e.html
A CNN reporter demonstrates how to prevent signal problems with Apple's iPhone 4 ahead of the company's press conference to confront the issue.
In an unprecedented move for the company, Apple has called a surprise iPhone 4 press conference for Friday in the US where it is expected to address a serious design flaw in the device.
Despite selling 1.7 million iPhone 4 units in the first three days after its US launch, Apple has taken a beating over the last few weeks over antenna problems that cause calls to drop out when the phone is held in a certain way.
Apple's share price has taken a hit and many are calling for a recall after tests against similar devices confirmed that the problem was a significant "design flaw".
iPhone 4.
Plagued with reception issues ... iPhone 4.
At the Friday event, which for Australians will occur at 3am on Saturday, Apple is expected to offer either replacement phones or free "bumpers" that wrap around the device and prevent the antenna problems from occurring.
Anthony Agius, founder of the MacTalk website, said the move to hold a snap press conference was "something I've never seen Apple do in the decade I've been watching them".
Apple often refuses to acknowledge failings in its products and the iPhone 4 is no exception. Its chief executive, Steve Jobs, initially said iPhone 4 owners who were experiencing problems were simply holding the phone wrong.
Apple later blamed the issue on a software bug, saying it was "stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong".
But tech pundits weren't buying that explanation and independent testing by Consumer Reports revealed that the reception problems were the result of a hardware design flaw. It said it wouldn't recommend the device until the signal problem was fixed.
Analysts say Apple has created a public relations headache for itself by appearing to dismiss or ignore the problem, allowing a minor issue to be turned into headline news. The company has been sued by several consumers over the matter.
Most analysts believe a full recall is unlikely but Ireland's biggest bookmaker, Paddy Power, which has been taking bets on whether Apple would issue a recall, said "if the current betting trends are to be believed, it now seems certain that a recall is in the cards".
Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi issued a report this week saying that, while a full product recall would be unlikely, if it went ahead it would end up costing Apple a whopping $US1.5 billion.
"Apple's image - and potentially iPhone sales - could be compromised if Apple does not explicitly - and constructively - address the issue of what it believes is wrong with the phone and how it will address it," Sacconaghi said in the statement.
Apple appears to be already quietly offering replacement phones to some customers who have complained, Gizmodo reported. Readers of the popular blog have said the replacement units appear to fix the problem.
The iPhone 4 is expected to launch in Australia within the next two weeks. It is not clear if Friday's announcement will delay the release.
A CNN reporter demonstrates how to prevent signal problems with Apple's iPhone 4 ahead of the company's press conference to confront the issue.
In an unprecedented move for the company, Apple has called a surprise iPhone 4 press conference for Friday in the US where it is expected to address a serious design flaw in the device.
Despite selling 1.7 million iPhone 4 units in the first three days after its US launch, Apple has taken a beating over the last few weeks over antenna problems that cause calls to drop out when the phone is held in a certain way.
Apple's share price has taken a hit and many are calling for a recall after tests against similar devices confirmed that the problem was a significant "design flaw".
iPhone 4.
Plagued with reception issues ... iPhone 4.
At the Friday event, which for Australians will occur at 3am on Saturday, Apple is expected to offer either replacement phones or free "bumpers" that wrap around the device and prevent the antenna problems from occurring.
Anthony Agius, founder of the MacTalk website, said the move to hold a snap press conference was "something I've never seen Apple do in the decade I've been watching them".
Apple often refuses to acknowledge failings in its products and the iPhone 4 is no exception. Its chief executive, Steve Jobs, initially said iPhone 4 owners who were experiencing problems were simply holding the phone wrong.
Apple later blamed the issue on a software bug, saying it was "stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong".
But tech pundits weren't buying that explanation and independent testing by Consumer Reports revealed that the reception problems were the result of a hardware design flaw. It said it wouldn't recommend the device until the signal problem was fixed.
Analysts say Apple has created a public relations headache for itself by appearing to dismiss or ignore the problem, allowing a minor issue to be turned into headline news. The company has been sued by several consumers over the matter.
Most analysts believe a full recall is unlikely but Ireland's biggest bookmaker, Paddy Power, which has been taking bets on whether Apple would issue a recall, said "if the current betting trends are to be believed, it now seems certain that a recall is in the cards".
Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi issued a report this week saying that, while a full product recall would be unlikely, if it went ahead it would end up costing Apple a whopping $US1.5 billion.
"Apple's image - and potentially iPhone sales - could be compromised if Apple does not explicitly - and constructively - address the issue of what it believes is wrong with the phone and how it will address it," Sacconaghi said in the statement.
Apple appears to be already quietly offering replacement phones to some customers who have complained, Gizmodo reported. Readers of the popular blog have said the replacement units appear to fix the problem.
The iPhone 4 is expected to launch in Australia within the next two weeks. It is not clear if Friday's announcement will delay the release.
