antenna

Apple antenna issue a 'physics problem,' not a software problem

Almost a week after the iPhone 4's launch, questions remain over why users experience signal loss when gripping the phone in a particular way.

Apple has called this a "non issue," despite users being able to repeatedly reproduce the problem. In the meantime, it's been suggested that it might be a problem that can be fixed with a software update. Others have said, and Apple has suggested, that users buy a case to prevent fingers from coming in direct contact with the antennas built into the metal band surrounding the iPhone 4.

Brian Klug and Anand Shimpi at tech blog Anandtech have conducted their own hands-on experiments comparing different smartphones and their reception when the antennas are covered. They sum up their findings this way: "At the end of the day, Apple should add an insulative coating to the stainless steel band, or subsidize bumper cases. It's that simple."

The bumper case is a rubber holder that just surrounds the exterior of the device, and that Apple started selling the same day as the iPhone 4 for $29. Apple has already said it's not giving the cases away for free. It's not clear why the company wouldn't do that, especially when the problem has been reproduced by many people, though it varies by place and person. … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1260: Flying car-maggeddon (podcast)

I think we can all agree on one thing: flying cars may be cool, but it's going to be a slaughter in the skies--at least at first. Also, the Verizon iPhone is here again! Yay! We'll believe it when we see it, just like we'll believe that Google Me is real and a real competitor to Facebook when we see it and when Google manages to understand actual humans and what they want in a social network. But hey, fingers crossed! Special guest, Darren Kitchen of Hak5!

Possible fix for iPhone 4 signal problems available?

One of the most popular iPhone 4 topics is the reception issue many people have mentioned that seem to be exacerbated by how you hold the smartphone. While Apple currently suggests avoiding certain hand positions or using a case, there is a new report that suggests a possible fix for the issue.… Read more

No free bumpers for iPhone users?

Apple apparently has a game plan for dealing with iPhone 4 reception complaints--and it expressly prohibits giving customers free bumpers.

According to a purported list of procedures reportedly leaked to Boy Genius Report, AppleCare representatives are being instructed on how to coach users about the proper way to handle the latest-generation smartphone:

1. Keep all of the positioning statements in the BN handy - your tone when delivering this information is important.

a. The iPhone 4's wireless performance is the best we have ever shipped. Our testing shows that iPhone 4's overall antenna performance is better than iPhone … Read more

Nokia takes sly dig at Apple over phone grip styles

Trust the world's largest phone maker to educate us on how to hold our phones the right way. The four methods highlighted include "thumb and finger," "the cup," "the balance," and, finally, "the four edge grip," which looks marginally ridiculous since hardly anyone holds their phones that way. I apologize if you're one of the people who does.

Of course, the only reason Nokia posted a "How do you hold your Nokia?" entry on its Conversations blog Monday is probably to take a sly dig at the recent … Read more

No Field Test mode on iPhone 4?

As we continue to test the iPhone 4, we're doing our best to track the handset's signal strength, particularly in light of the ongoing issues with the antenna. Though we've also noticed that we occasionally lose bars when we hold the iPhone 4 on its lower left side, the number of bars isn't the most accurate indicator of a cell phone's reception. For more details, we turned to the iPhone's Field Test indicator, but that option doesn't seem to be available on the iPhone 4.

On previous iPhones, you could access a wealth … Read more

Apple may have iOS 4 update to fix reception issue

iPhone 4 users who have run into reception issues by holding their devices "the wrong way" could see a more feasible solution from Apple very soon.

An iOS 4.0.1 software fix is in the works and may arrive as early as Monday, according to AppleInsider. Users of Apple's tech support forums reported seeing comments from Apple reps confirming that an iOS 4.0.1 update fix would ship early this week, though those comments and related discussions have since been removed.

Around the time the iPhone 4 was first released last week, users started flooding the Internet with complaints that holding the phone a certain way weakened or even cut off its reception, causing calls to drop. People quickly discovered that gripping the iPhone in their left hands interfered with the antenna band that runs around the unit, thereby strangling the signal.… Read more

Apple iPhone 4 sales: 1.7 million in three days

Apple on Monday said iPhone 4 sales topped 1.7 million units for the first three days the device was available to customers.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said the iPhone 4, which hit retail outlets Thursday, was "the most successful product launch in Apple's history" and apologized to customers who were turned away because there weren't enough iPhone 4s to go around.

In 2008 and 2009, respectively, Apple sold 1 million each of the iPhone 3G and the iPhone 3GS in their initial weekend of sales.

The iPhone 4 launch hasn't been without its difficulties … Read more

iPhone 4 antenna issues: Software or hardware?

A few reports are surfacing that claim the current reception problem with the iPhone 4 could be an issue with the phone's OS software instead of the phone's construction.

Similar to the recent videos showing the grip on the iPhone 4 resulting in signal loss, others have released videos showing the same things happening on older models after having upgraded to iOS 4. This indicates the problem is in the operating system instead of the phone's hardware, which is promising for people who have been impacted by the reception issue.… Read more

How to hold the iPhone 4? Don't look to Apple

When reports surfaced Thursday that the iPhone 4 loses signal strength when simply held in the palm of a person's hand, Apple responded with words that have been uttered by countless engineering departments: user error.

That's not a direct or complete quote, of course. Apple tossed in a couple more familiar responses, such as "everyone does it" and "there's a solution, but it will cost you." Here's its full statement: "Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on … Read more