Ok, well the iphone conference didnt quite go that way, but basically Steve explained that dropped calls and poor reception is a common issue with all cell phones. He also called this antennagate mostly referring to how over blown this is.
I dont think so.
Speaking from a personal point of view I think antennagate is more about the inial reaction of Apple to the issue and less about the issue itself. Most of the people I know that have the 4 have not been having any more trouble with dropped calls then us 3 users and a few have said it works better. Only one person I know could get the single drop to work well enough to actually drop a call.
No, the fact that putting the antenna on the outside (without protecting the connection point) isnt the issue; its the fact that we were all told we were 'holding it wrong' THAT is antennagate. Holding it wrong? Are you kidding? if Apple would have simply said, 'we are looking into the issue' and then later say, 'yes there does seem to be an issue. We will send a bumper to anyone that asks for it.' they would have have come out great. And these bumpers are only a few pennie to make. And I would wager only a few people would bother because either they were not having problems or they would rather buy a nice case.
Oh well, can't go back now. So if you have a 4 start looking for that bumper in the mail. If it comes to the point that they cannot make enough, they will set up some sort of case reimbursement, not clear on that. Also the bumpers are free or reimbursed until sept 30. Not clear what will happen after that.
Free Bumpers???
Hmmm...I guess the word isn't out to either Apple or AT&T yet? Neither knew what I was talking about when I requested one. I told Apple that I was dropping calls and all they suggested was I upgrade to 4.0.1, HA. When I mentioned that I would rather wait for 4.1 he knew nothing of this version, when or what the fix was for etc. I told him I was more informed than he is...geesh maybe I should try for a job at Apple? What's that funny taste in my mouth...oh yea, crappy customer service.
Funny that ANYONE would buy
Funny that ANYONE would buy that 'fixing the bars' would do anything for dropped calls. Further is not some sort of odd engineers knowledge either. In fact I wrote a piece for iphoneline a few issues back in spring 09 link -> http://www.iphonelife.com/issues/Spring09/4TipsToReduce where I talked about it. And even commented on that on my blog. http://www.perivision.net/wordpress/?p=3181
Perhaps you should get a job at the Apple store at least. Although I will say that living in silicon valley, the people I encounter at the Apple stores are pretty up to date.
But the word is out now. Did you end up getting a case to deal with the dropped calls or is it a larger issue?
More drama. After attempting
More drama. After attempting the upgrade to 4.0.1 I received an error, then had to restore. Even that failed so today I have a genius bar appointment, hopefully to swap it out. The second Apple rep informed me you can request bumpers starting Monday on the Apple site.
Oh good grief. Keep us
Oh good grief. Keep us posted on this. I would bet they just restore your phone. Bumpers starting monday eh? Are you going to use the bumper or go with a case? I cannot even think of having my phone without a strong case. Dropped a few times and that case has saved my phone time and time again.
Iphone cases
All well and fine with Apple giving us a free "Bumper" or reimburse us for The Iphone case's that we bought. I purchased my Iphone and case from AT&T. I called AT&T to find out what to do about the problem, they told me to call Apple. I called Apple and they told me to bring the Iphone to a Apple store for a case or maybe a reimbursement. Now I live more than 70 miles from a Apple store and I'm sure there are many more people in the same position I'm in.
How does Apple plan to take care of this problem?
Hmm. I would think that if
Hmm. I would think that if you told the Apple store you were 70 miles away they would be able to hook you up through the mail. But if you already bought a case, I would just hang on to it and let Apple send you the bumper and then frame it with the message "this is how Apple admits to a mistake." :)