The mass of complaints about lost signal strength when holding the Apple iPhone 4 by the lower sides of the case have forced an acknowledgment from Apple and a pretty lame suggestion. To avoid the problem, Apple says don’t hold the phone that way. Or buy a case that covers up the areas you shouldn’t touch.
Give us a break, Apple. That is the most self-serving, irresponsible suggestion yet. The only comfortable way to hold that phone when using it is in your palm. And in that position, the interference problem – caused when the two black bands on either side of the metal band that encases the phone are simultaneously covered – drastically drops the signal strength. That band around the iPhone 4 serves as the antenna system for the wi-fi and AT&T network connections.
The patronizing reply from Apple conceding the problem came to , which has been a sort of sounding board for users plagued by the problem.
In an e-mail, 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.”
True, a spate of user tests with other phones are showing signal degradation issues are not unique to the iPhone 4. But the problems don’t seem to be nearly as severe as with the iPhone 4. To force users to buy a case to make the phone work correctly – a case keeps your hand from, in effect, shorting out the antennas – is unfair.
Apple blew the design of this phone. Bigtime. And releasing it as they did, knowing there would be problems, underscores the long noted arrogance of Steve Jobs and his minions.
Want proof? Engadget shows a message someone sent to Jobs that said: “Your new antenna system doesn’t like my hand 
“
Jobs reply: “Just avoid holding it that way.”
I’m predicting that Apple will have to redesign this phone. Customer outcry won’t stand for anything less. And the Justice Department, or the FTC or FCC – which are all just itching to get their teeth into something involving Apple and its business practices – will gladly assist.
Category: Apple News, What I'm Thinkin'
Remember all those Wiimotes embedded in walls / windows / tv screens? Nintendo proceeded to send rubber sleeves to every single Wii owner, and has included them with the console ever since. Arguably, these incidents weren’t even Nintendo’s fault.
One way or another, Apple should step up.