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Experts Explain iPhone 4 Antenna Problem

CWmike writes "Reports of call and data signal strength problems in the new iPhone 4 have a basis in fact, a hardware expert said Thursday. Later in the day, Apple acknowledged that holding the iPhone 4 may result in a diminished signal that could make it difficult to make and maintain calls or retain a data connection. 'Gripping any 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,' Apple said in a statement issued to several media outlets, including PC Magazine, which had run tests earlier Thursday. '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.' Scores of new iPhone owners confirmed the reception problem in a string of more than 360 messages posted to a thread on Apple's iPhone 4 support forum." A blog post from an antenna design company explains that the reception problems are probably the direct result of phone design adapting to FCC requirements.

27 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. Cue the fanbois by plover · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next thing you know, holding a cell phone with the thumb and forefinger by the top right corner will become the fashionable way for any of the cognoscenti to hold their phones. Those of us who cradle them in the old fashioned way will be "not of the Body of Jobs", and mocked and ostracized.

    --
    John
    1. Re:Cue the fanbois by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Sorry, but there is only one correct way to hold a phone

    2. Re:Cue the fanbois by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    3. Re:Cue the fanbois by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Next thing you know, holding a cell phone with the thumb and forefinger by the top right corner will become the fashionable

      The japanese demonstrating proper handphone technique:
      http://photos-451.friendster.com/e1/photos/15/48/18428451/1_246234319l.jpg

    4. Re:Cue the fanbois by Idbar · · Score: 4, Funny

      Apple will also be releasing this new accessory.

    5. Re:Cue the fanbois by lederhosen · · Score: 1, Funny

      You are wrong, saying that the product is wrong is like saying that Jobs might be wrong. And it was just a software problem. Maybe the software update will be an instruction video on how to hold your iphone...

    6. Re:Cue the fanbois by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 5, Funny

      THEY FIRST told me I HAD to use iTunes, and AT&T,
      and I didn't speak up because I wanted to be Cool.

      THEN THEY told me I couldn't change the battery,
      and I didn't speak up because I buy a new one every year.

      THEN THEY told me I had to hold the phone with my pinkie extended,
      and I didn't speak up because I don't mind looking gay.

      THEN THEY CAME for more of my money
      and by that time there was none left to buy more crap.

      Apologies to Niemöller.

      --
      This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.
    7. Re:Cue the fanbois by link5280 · · Score: 3, Funny

      I like my cell phone held this way

    8. Re:Cue the fanbois by X0563511 · · Score: 3, Funny

      I have the insatiable urge to punch that person. The douchebag just oozes off of him/her (honestly I can't really tell).

      --
      For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
    9. Re:Cue the fanbois by hobo+sapiens · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's not phone. Thats P H O N E, as in Please Hold On Narrow End.

      --
      blah blah blah
    10. Re:Cue the fanbois by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      breasts or the phone? :)

  2. in addition by nimbius · · Score: 2, Funny

    for those slashdot customers experiencing loss of signal and poor quality, we recommend exiting the basement and removing your storm trooper helmet to place calls.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
    1. Re:in addition by Hurricane78 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Geeks generally don’t buy Apple products. They buy a Linux phone from an obscure company that is also barely usable as a phone, but at least completely hackable.
      Hipsters and valley girls buy Apple products. Oh, and those people that drive Priuses. ^^

      --
      Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
  3. Re:Antenna placement by copponex · · Score: 3, Funny

    I suspect they figured no one would bother to use to try and make a phone call.

  4. Simply ... by randyzoch · · Score: 5, Funny

    1) Stand on one leg, preferably facing the cell tower. 2) Use your other leg to form a crude counterpoise for the iPhone4's various antennas. Also, experiments in dry/low-humidity regions which lead to dry/chapped hands may also contribute to your success making and holding a call. What other company could get away with producing a product like this and succeed?

    1. Re:Simply ... by nwf · · Score: 1, Funny

      What other company could get away with producing a product like this and succeed?

      If it's software, then Microsoft. :)

      --
      I don't know, but it works for me.
  5. Uh... Huh... by MightyMartian · · Score: 4, Funny

    "For best results, levitate one inch from your ears."

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    1. Re:Uh... Huh... by shutdown+-p+now · · Score: 2, Funny

      You're just jealous that your reality distortion field is so weak it can't even levitate a cellphone a mere inch away from you! ~

  6. QA by LeftFootRequired · · Score: 2, Funny

    Thats what you get for making you engineers hide the product in public by dressing it in an iphone 3 case during QA. Oops!

  7. So its really the iPod4? by phonewebcam · · Score: 4, Funny

    Worse reception than the iPhone3 - check.
    Still tied to the worst US carrier - check.

    But hey, facetime is so awesome it overcomes all this...

    Realtime video calls which exceed the definition of the human retina? - cheC&&^& >>>>>CARRIER LOST

  8. Re:"Just avoid holding it that way" by asdf7890 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Another reddit poster showed the true way to hold an iPhone: http://i.imgur.com/h9UDd.png

  9. You are supposed to hold it with your pinky out! by HouseOfMisterE · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's just like drinking a latte.

  10. Re:Cases by yakumo.unr · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, what they're saying is, all phones suffer from this, apart from any phone that has the aerial behind an insulating layer, such as a plastic case.

    Off topic, we're the only phone with the external metalwork acting as the aerial, isn't that awesome.

    Don't forget all phones suffer this defect, so it's not a design defect, no really.

  11. Re:form over function by wfolta · · Score: 3, Funny

    Never used a Magic Mouse, I see. They're incredible.

  12. Re:The cure is in the case by cynyr · · Score: 4, Funny

    1) buy some broccolii from the store
    2) remove and dry off the rubber band
    3) place rubberband on iPhone
    4) ???
    5) PROFIT!(and save like $27, and get some iron)

    --
    All of the above was encrypted with a Quad ROT-13 method. Unauthorized decryption is in violation of the DMCA.
  13. Form over function, baby! by ClosedSource · · Score: 1, Funny

    That's the Job's way. Thin is in.

  14. or perhaps like multitasking, phone reception by ClosedSource · · Score: 3, Funny

    is an advanced capability they need time to figure out how to implement well. iPhone 5 will fix it.