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iPhone XS and XS Max Users Are Reporting Poor Cell and Wi-Fi Reception (theverge.com)

Some users who upgraded to an iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max over the weekend have reported poor cell and Wi-Fi reception and noticeably slower speeds when comparing their new phones to their older models. The Verge: According to users on Apple's support forum, MacRumors forums, and Reddit, the issue appears to be widespread across the country and not limited to any specific carrier. It's a frustrating issue, especially considering that the iPhone XS is supposed to have significantly faster data speeds on Wi-Fi and LTE compared to the iPhone X, according to data tests conducted by SpeedSmart. There's even a new antenna line running along the bottom of the phone as discovered by a recent iFixit teardown, which should have helped with reception. Additionally, folks at r/Apple, the most popular subreddit for iPhone and other Apple related discussions on the site, have corroborated the claims.

172 comments

  1. Apple support: by Pubstar · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're holding it wrong

    1. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      These people had an iPhone with a superior Qualcomm modem before. Now they have a cheaper one from Intel. Enjoy

    2. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      It's almost certainly this. If you've never used a phone with an Intel modem you'd be amazed at how bad they are. Anything below two bars might as well be "no signal" because the Intel modem flat-out can't decipher anything that weak. Speed starts dropping precipitously as you move away from the tower. Where a Qualcomm modem might be operating at 90% speed, an Intel modem will have already dropped to 50%. It's really quite impressive how bad they are.

      And because Apple is mad at Qualcomm because Qualcomm doesn't like it when Apple steals their technology, iPhone users are stuck with broken Intel modems.

    3. Re: Apple support: by mccalli · · Score: 1

      Annoyingly last gen round it was pot luck - you could get a Qualcomm or Intel and there was no way of knowing which you'd end up with. Guess who got the Intel...

    4. Re:Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      You're holding it wrong

      You are *buying* it wrong.

    5. Re:Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      In Soviet Apple, the phone is holding you wrong.

    6. Re: Apple support: by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

      That's immediately what I thought when I saw the title.

      --
      #DeleteFacebook
    7. Re:Apple support: by Tablizer · · Score: 1

      You're holding it wrong

      That's what Porn Support also told me.

    8. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I, for one, am glad that Apple had the COURAGE to switch.

    9. Re: Apple support: by asoukup · · Score: 1

      Intel was GSM only so if you got an unlocked or Verizon phone, you’d get Qualcomm and not intel. If you got an ATT phone then it was intel. Wasn’t luck of the draw that gen.

    10. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Intel fucking sucks so bad. Can't wait till Apple goes full ARM for their desktops.

    11. Re: Apple support: by sexconker · · Score: 0

      Yup, this. Steve Jobs was a shitlord assclown but he would NEVER have taken Intel's bribe money to use their vastly inferior shit.

    12. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Tim Cock is not just assclown, heâ(TM)s a giant monstrosity assmeister.

    13. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What are you going on about? We're talking about the modems in iPhones, not desktop CPUs.

      Intel still knows how to make a desktop CPU. Modems, on the other hand . . .

    14. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Expect in-house modem chips by Apple. Soon.

    15. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple did approach Intel about a custom chip for their original iPhone. Intel refused:

      https://www.cultofmac.com/227663/intel-chose-to-not-power-the-original-iphone/

      One of Otellini's biggest mistakes.

    16. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Expect apple to steal lots of patents to do so. Lawsuits galore but that is ok. apple has more lawyers than programmers and engineers.

    17. Re: Apple support: by jezwel · · Score: 5, Informative

      These people had an iPhone with a superior Qualcomm modem before. Now they have a cheaper one from Intel. Enjoy,

      It's almost certainly this.

      https://www.wiwavelength.com/2...

      Apple's decision to forgo Qualcomm this year and source all cellular modems from Intel is not responsible for the RF power output limitations in the new iPhone models. The cellular baseband modem is separate from and well upstream of the amplifiers that generate the conducted power and antennas that generate the radiated power being measured in lab testing.
      ...where is all that power going? Where is it being diminished? The answer lies in antenna gain.
      Indeed, deeper analysis of the FCC OET authorization filings shows the underwhelming EIRP figures to be almost entirely products of negative antenna gain.

    18. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They know how to make a desktop CPU? Ever heard of Spectre? Intel fucking sucks at everything. Intel is shit.

    19. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Spectre effects many ARM and Apple A series chips too. Can't blame Intel for that one.

    20. Re:Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're holding it wrong

      LOL! Exactly! Also... WHY am I not surprised that iPhones ... ONCE AGAIN ... turns out to be GARBAGE and turns out to be of a HIGHLY inferior quality?!
      Maximum price! Maximum profit to Apple! Minimal quality! Minimal utility! Minimal substance! Maximum shafting of customers!

    21. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yes we can.

    22. Re:Apple support: by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      It just (kinda) works

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    23. Re: Apple support: by mjwx · · Score: 1

      These people had an iPhone with a superior Qualcomm modem before. Now they have a cheaper one from Intel. Enjoy,

      It's almost certainly this.

      https://www.wiwavelength.com/2...

      Apple's decision to forgo Qualcomm this year and source all cellular modems from Intel is not responsible for the RF power output limitations in the new iPhone models. The cellular baseband modem is separate from and well upstream of the amplifiers that generate the conducted power and antennas that generate the radiated power being measured in lab testing.
      ...where is all that power going? Where is it being diminished? The answer lies in antenna gain.
      Indeed, deeper analysis of the FCC OET authorization filings shows the underwhelming EIRP figures to be almost entirely products of negative antenna gain.

      So not only do they have shitty modems (yep, other phones with Intel modems have a lot of problems, I cant believe that they've magically fixed them for Apple but no-one else) but they've also got a shitty antenna design (seems to have become an Apple standard).

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    24. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wasn't that a campaign slogan?

    25. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      apple designs are shitty

      and they stole code from Qualcomm to give to Intel and still could not make it work
      https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-25/qualcomm-says-apple-stole-software-to-improve-intel-modem-chip

      Time was apple was great at stealing. Now they cant even manage that.

    26. Re: Apple support: by The123king · · Score: 1

      I blame the fact the baseband processor is x86

      --
      If you gave me a choice between a printer and a giraffe with explosive diarrhoea, i'll get my ladder and my raincoat
    27. Re: Apple support: by jittles · · Score: 1

      (yep, other phones with Intel modems have a lot of problems, I cant believe that they've magically fixed them for Apple but no-one else)

      Well if it's an Apple phone and the issue can be fixed with a firmware update from Intel, then there is at least the possibility of getting it fixed. If it's any other brand you'll probably never even see a security update. That being said, I have no idea if the Intel problems can be fixed with software. Based on the issues they've had with their Puma chipset, my guess would probably be a big fat NO.

    28. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thanks, Obama.

    29. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      One of Otellini's biggest mistakes.

      I'd say it was one of Apple's biggest lucky hits. Intel wasn't capable of delivering a decent SoC at the TDP required. The fact that Intel gave up the smartphone SoC market entirely is proof of it.

    30. Re: Apple support: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is nothing new. I've used iPhones 3G, 4, and 6 and all of them had horrible reception compared to a mid-tier ASUS Android phone I got last year when the 6's board fried itself out of nowhere. I got between 0 and 1 bar on the Apple stuff for ten years, which usually wasn't enough for the phone to do more than internet timeouts or failure to make calls then switched to ASUS and suddenly I can watch 360p YouTube videos without even seeing a loading pause for hours. Basically, Apple is shit at antennae.

    31. Re: Apple support: by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Anything below two bars might as well be "no signal"

      Is that how the "bar" is defined in the standard?

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  2. Brace yourselves... by ArhcAngel · · Score: 0, Redundant

    "You're Holding it WRONG!" comments in 3, 2, 1

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    1. Re:Brace yourselves... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In -1, -2, -3

    2. Re:Brace yourselves... by sjames · · Score: 1

      You missed by less than 60 seconds!

    3. Re:Brace yourselves... by roc97007 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "You're Holding it WRONG!" comments in 3, 2, 1

      Right, but in their defense, Apple kinda deserves it.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
    4. Re:Brace yourselves... by Tough+Love · · Score: 0

      Now, to complete the set, you just need the overheating wireless charging accessory.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    5. Re:Brace yourselves... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You aren't getting to zero anytime soon...

    6. Re:Brace yourselves... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Now, to complete the set, you just need the overheating wireless charging accessory.

      Hey dumbass: That was a product STILL IN DEVELOPMENT.

      Sorry if the importance of that fact eludes you.

    7. Re:Brace yourselves... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      (Cr)apple deserves this for trying to sell a $5.00 phone for $1000 to $1200!!!!

    8. Re:Brace yourselves... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sure it is slugger, and one day the superior apple race will rule ze world!!

    9. Re:Brace yourselves... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hey dumbass: That was a product STILL IN DEVELOPMENT.

      Sorry if the importance of that fact eludes you.

      -

      I think you'd look good face down in a ditch, decomposing.

    10. Re:Brace yourselves... by Tough+Love · · Score: 0

      So it does overheat then. In development or not, if you own the can-t-connect iPhone then you obviously need the overheating charger to go with it. To complete the set, you see.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    11. Re:Brace yourselves... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "You're Holding it WRONG!" comments in 3, 2, 1

      You are INSERTING it wrong... You need to set the vibrator to full!

      A fictional tale of this would-be meme could be something like this...
      Eight years ago, when Apple debuted the iPhone 4, they re-engineered the vibrator, making it into a stainless steel band running around the edge of the phone. But the vibrator was actually two separate conductive metal pieces, with a very narrow gap between them. If anything, including your hand, created enough of a conducting pathway between the two separate metal pieces, colon vibration quality reduced terribly.

      And so, when asked about the problem, Steve Jobs famously said, "Ah shit! Just avoid inserting it without setting the vibrator to max. Smell you later dude!"

      CAPCTHA: Footage (Hmm.. Pics or it didn't.. ?)

    12. Re:Brace yourselves... by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

      So it does overheat then. In development or not, if you own the can-t-connect iPhone then you obviously need the overheating charger to go with it. To complete the set, you see.

      It's beyond belief that Apple can't even design a charger that works.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    13. Re:Brace yourselves... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      So it does overheat then. In development or not, if you own the can-t-connect iPhone then you obviously need the overheating charger to go with it. To complete the set, you see.

      It's beyond belief that Apple can't even design a charger that works.

      So why don't you call 'em up and show Apple how it's done?

      Thought so.

    14. Re:Brace yourselves... by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

      Apple, if you're listening, you need to get rid of pencil pusher Tim Cook and bring in somebody with a clue. That is, if you don't want your chargers to keep melting.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    15. Re:Brace yourselves... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Apple, if you're listening, you need to get rid of pencil pusher Tim Cook and bring in somebody with a clue. That is, if you don't want your chargers to keep melting.

      Yeah, because Tim Cook PERSONALLY designed the Charger, riiiiight.

    16. Re:Brace yourselves... by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

      Tim Cook knows how to push a pencil, not how to lead product development. Result: phone that can't phone; charger that can't charge.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    17. Re:Brace yourselves... by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

      Tim Cook knows how to push a pencil, not how to lead product development. Result: phone that can't phone; charger that can't charge.

      Tim Cook isn't the head of New Product Development. He has minions for that.

      Try again.

      Here, get edumacated on how it REALLY works:

      https://www.interaction-design...

    18. Re:Brace yourselves... by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

      You're right, Tim Cook isn't a leader at all. More like a pencil pusher.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    19. Re: Brace yourselves... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He would but his iPhone doesn't have a good enough connection to make the call...

    20. Re:Brace yourselves... by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      (Cr)apple deserves this for trying to sell a $5.00 phone for $1000 to $1200!!!!

      It's all about mindshare. I don't begrudge Apple selling mediocre phones at boutique prices. I applaud them for being successful at it.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
    21. Re:Brace yourselves... by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1
      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  3. Old news? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They are not holding it right, Steve told us so.

  4. Sounds familiar by prisoner-of-enigma · · Score: 1

    I'm sure they're merely holding it wrong. Please consult the manual and hold it only with the specified fingers in the specified manner with the specified pressure in the specified orientation. It's not a design flaw; the design is perfect just like everything that comes out of Apple. Your body is flawed and must adapt to service our engineering.

    --
    In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us, Make us your slaves, but feed us. - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  5. To the Death! by PopeRatzo · · Score: 1, Funny

    Apple Human Shield Centipede Defense Team...ASSEMBLE!

    In before, "They're probably just using it wrong."

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
    1. Re:To the Death! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      100% of the comments are "You're holding it wrong."

    2. Re:To the Death! by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

      I don't know what you're talking about. My Android iPhone works great!

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
    3. Re:To the Death! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So does my iPhone WinXP!

    4. Re:To the Death! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I don't know what you're talking about. My Android iPhone works great!

      Good one. I laughed so hard.

  6. time to android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Interesting

    After seven years of iphone use (4S and 6S), i'm going to android for next phone. Apples shit is too expensive for what you get, and I don't want or need the new functionality. I don't use social media, or watch videos on my phone. Its not an entertainment center, its just a phone. I have other, better devices for non-phone activities.

    1. Re:time to android by alvinrod · · Score: 2

      Why not just keep using the 6S? It still gets the latest updates and will continue to for some time. If you're not using it for anything particularly taxing, it would be kind of foolish to buy a new device to replace something that works fine. It's only 3 years old at this, and should probably last another 3 without issue.

    2. Re:time to android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Probably will.

      But probably wants to occasionally buy something not TOO stale for that rare anomalous Situation (eg s/he immediately needs a web browser), which is a few tiers beneath the all-glorious multimedia blingsparkle of fauxfunctionality that pretends to warrant $1000+

      So, somewhere above $50 candy bar, enough to help that unexpected lookup of an email attachment or building/business.

    3. Re: time to android by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Thatâ(TM)s a good idea. As I posted earlier, I took advantage of a buy one get one free iPhone 8 or higher at Best Buy last month. It replaced my 5s, which was completely useless. With ios12, however, itâ(TM)s useable again. Iâ(TM)m giving it to my dad, who mostly needs it for emergencies.

      IOS12 is the only thing I can remember in the history of apple where they actually did what their customers wanted them to do ie not intentionally render older phones obsolete with bloated new OS versions.

    4. Re:time to android by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 1

      I’m sticking with my 6S... but that was always the plan.

      It also runs extremely well on iOS 12 - I was pleasantly surprised.

      --
      #DeleteChrome
    5. Re:time to android by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      A Galaxy J3 fits that need perfectly. You can get them for $70 or so without even shopping very hard. I upgraded to a J7 last month, which is an expensive phone ($150).

    6. Re:time to android by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      Welcome to the dark side. We have cookies. (And phones that can make a call.)

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  7. Can confirm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I can confirm this. I have an iPhone Xs. Used to never have signal problems standing outside when near the wall where the router is.

    I now get no signal outside and severely diminished signal if I leave the room with the router. Anything in the way of the router kills the top of three bars of wifi strength. Cellular data will routinely drop out where I'll just stop receiving anything for a bit until I reboot the phone. I have no idea how much of this is iOS 12 (since it comes with the Xs) and how much is just bad design with the Xs. But so far, for a $1000 phone, I'm really unimpressed.

    1. Re:Can confirm by cyberchondriac · · Score: 2

      I'd lean toward saying it's the new phone model then; I have a 6s with iOS12 and no issues; also it's been rock stable ever since I bought it, through several OS upgrades. I might just stick with it a while longer, though I would like a bigger screen.

      --

      Look back up at my post, now look back down, you're on the Internet. Now look back up. I'm a signature.
    2. Re:Can confirm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Are you using an Apple router and Apple wifi access point device? If not, you may need to replace those with Apple devices. /sarcasm

    3. Re:Can confirm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Sorry for your issues, I'm having no problems on my phone from 4 years ago.

    4. Re:Can confirm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Ironically I used to.

      Apple finally discontinued them last year (I think) after having not updated their wifi access point since 2012. I remember when my Time Capsule died and I decided to replace it with a newer one and discovering I still had the newest one because Apple hadn't bothered updating it in five years.

      The hilarious thing is that with Time Capsule dead, the "wifi backup" feature that macOS still has is effectively useless. It only works on HFS+ disks, and only if they're shared using AFP. (AFP cannot be used to share APFS disks.) Apparently it might support an APFS disk shared via SMB, but if you go to the article on setting that up, it tells you that is also deprecated and no longer being updated. (And the limits on that are also kind of hilarious in that I think it requires SMBv3 with special Apple extensions.)

      I guess the TLDR here is that Apple is currently a huge mess, even within their own ecosystem.

    5. Re:Can confirm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      I have a solution for the problem - the video, unfortunately has been banned
      in 47 countries so you'll have to do with this explaination -- remember those
      selfie-sticks that were popular a while back? Notice, nobody's buying them
      like they used to. Notice the threaded hole on the iPhone? Screw the selfie
      stick into there (no this isn't the 3.5 mm headphone, Jack) and fully extend the
      stick. You should get about 3 feet (that roughly 3 feet to you British users).
      Now, extend the arm holding the stick as high as you can. If you can see the
      reception bars, you'll notice they've improved. Now, you have great reception.

      The more you know...

      CAP === 'cajole'

    6. Re: Can confirm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Since you just bought it, return it ASAP. Then head down to Best Buy or Verizon or att and do their buy one iPhone 8 or higher and get an equal or lesser one for free. I did this a month ago at Best Buy. I sold one, and kept the other. Iâ(TM)m on att and the best part is they gave me the unlocked 8 with the Qualcomm modem.

    7. Re:Can confirm by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      You've branched into describing Apple desktop features. Apple doesn't stress the desktop anymore. The only essential reason to have an Apple PC is that it's the only way to develop Apple mobile device apps.

  8. At this point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    we have enough posts regarding people "holding it wrong" .

    1. Re:At this point by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      you're commenting it wrong

  9. Not what I'd call an upgrade. by techno-vampire · · Score: 2

    If the new iPhones are getting poorer reception and slower downloads than the old ones did in the same location, I'd have to call it a very expensive downgrade, not an upgrade.

    --
    Good, inexpensive web hosting
    1. Re:Not what I'd call an upgrade. by Tough+Love · · Score: 3, Informative

      You can totally fix this just by exchanging your Apple iPhone for an Android iPhone.

      --
      When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  10. Re:Antenna by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Don't worry: there's an easy fix: spray-on antennas!

    p.s. You accidentally signed your name in your sock-puppet account, Super.

  11. Apple quality control by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Apple is too busy making custom emojis to care about properly testing their phones. Remember this is a trillion dollar company.

    1. Re:Apple quality control by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      It's all about priorities. Who cares what your "connectivity" is if you have to use 2017 Emojis!

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    2. Re:Apple quality control by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Apple is too busy making custom emojis to care about properly testing their phones. Remember this is a trillion dollar company.

      To be fair, they needed a product to validate the turd emoji.

    3. Re:Apple quality control by magarity · · Score: 2

      Apple is too busy making custom emojis to care about properly testing their phones.

      In all seriousness how does noticeably bad reception make it past QA? And then there's the recurring v.something "causes the battery to run out extra fast" thing that also no one in the testing department ever notices. Does Apple onshore keep forgetting to put items like this in the checklist for offshore QA who never does a thing except exactly what they're told?

    4. Re: Apple quality control by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They have a trillion reasons to not worry about this at all...

  12. Re:Antenna by 110010001000 · · Score: 1

    Damn. Caught again!

  13. Simple firmware fix by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I almost guarantee a simple firmware fix will correct this.

    Obviously it's simply showing the incorrect number of bars. They just need to tweak it so that 1 bar reception shows full bars

    1. Re: Simple firmware fix by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Probably not as the Intel wireless chips are inferior.

  14. Only affects a subset. by Shouldbeworking · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is only important if you plan to use the wireless connectivity functionality of the devices.

    1. Re:Only affects a subset. by 110010001000 · · Score: 1

      Exactly. A bunch of people complaining over nothing. The models coming out next year will have much improved connectivity. Until then just be happy with what you have.

    2. Re:Only affects a subset. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no they won't, because Apple will still use Intel modems.

    3. Re: Only affects a subset. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Next year they will introduce a lightning to Ethernet adapter to solve this problem. For $49.99. They will also offer a new Apple branded dongle case so you can keep all of your headphone and Ethernet adapters separate. That will go for $19.99.

  15. Out Of Spec by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They are using it out of Spec.

    The phone performs best, when no further than 100m from the nearest tower, operating at 100% transmit power, holding the phone in your right hand, parallel to the tower. with a batter charged to no less than 85%, with all other nearby radios disabled.

    Apple guarantees that under these conditions, calls will only suffer a max drop out rate of 50%.

    tl;dr "it's the users fault".

  16. Lennart response by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Works on my phone. Bug report closed.

    1. Re:Lennart response by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There is actually a serious lack of "well mine works fine" in here.

      This is less Me Crowing and more an observation of an apparent drop in loyals. Go back a few years and you could never mention a flaw without tripping over the phrase. Even the new keyboards had a few people insisting theirs were perfectly fine.

      In the meatspace, fans among my acquaintances and coworkers have had their faith chipped away at, bit by bit. Even sideshows like the $300 advertising books caused the mutters and murmurs to inch up.

      Not that I'm declaring doom for apple. "You know, Mr. Thatcher, at the rate of a million dollars a year, I'll have to close this place in 60 years"

    2. Re:Lennart response by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      Huge cash-rich businesses don't just wither away. There are jackals deep within any such company itching to rip it apart.

      This kind erosion goes hand-in-hand with huge profitable success.

    3. Re:Lennart response by Areyoukiddingme · · Score: 1

      Huge cash-rich businesses don't just wither away. There are jackals deep within any such company itching to rip it apart.

      This kind erosion goes hand-in-hand with huge profitable success.

      Interesting observation, but I think Apple has more to fear from external jackals than internal. The amount of trading of AAPL is vast, especially in options. Apple only has to release a few more turkeys like these before their profits slip noticeably, causing their stock price to slip, which could easily precipitate a bloodbath. Which will then have investors howling for Apple to Do Something! Since the reality distortion field is starting to wear off at last, they'd better stop being lazy about testing their new products, or they'll get into serious trouble.

  17. Noticeable decline in Apple quality... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Before the last few years, Apple had I guess what you could call "normal" amounts of problems in their HW & SW but it feels like they've gotten dramatically worse at producing quality products in the last 3 or 4 years.

    Funny how it coincides with Apple's push to hire based on "diversity" and not "merit".

    At least the world is more diverse now! lol

    P.S. I'm part of a minority and I don't want AA.

    1. Re:Noticeable decline in Apple quality... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Looks like you're totally wrong about the coincidence, then, because Apple's current trend-of-shit started in 2007, not 2014-2015.

    2. Re: Noticeable decline in Apple quality... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Great comment. The switch from education and jobs being based on merit to being based on other things is starting to have detrimental effects.

      Hell, Iâ(TM)m in the IT security industry and 3/4 of the people asking to link to me in LinkedIn are minorities.

      Are they not hiring new non minorities anymore in INFOSEC?

  18. You're holding it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Just wanted to make sure nobody missed the warnings

  19. Re:Antenna by Tough+Love · · Score: 0

    This is due to the superior antenna in the new models. The users are holding it wrong and this causes the antenna to work sub-optimally.

    - SuperKendall

    Amazing how the usual Apple astroturfers are completely AWOL from this Apple thread. But the Apple astromods are on the job.

    Fix your product Apple. Trolling Slashdot does not fix your product.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  20. Re:Antenna by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    p.s. You accidentally signed your name in your sock-puppet account, Super.

    That's what we call a dumbass. - Red Forman.

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
  21. Re:Antenna by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 1

    Damn. Caught again!

    I hope you're happy with yourself, dumbass. - Red Forman.

    --
    #DeleteFacebook
  22. Re:Antenna by Red_Forman · · Score: 1

    You better watch your ass, dumbass.

  23. I blame iOS 12 by phalse+phace · · Score: 2

    Some users who upgraded to an iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max over the weekend have reported poor cell and Wi-Fi reception and noticeably slower speeds when comparing their new phones to their older models.

    I blame iOS 12. I upgraded an iPhone 6S from iOS 11.4.1 to iOS 12 and noticed that Wi-Fi connection speed and reception are worse now.

    At the office, I cannot get very good cell reception so I rely on Wi-Fi. When I arrive at the office, I turn on the iPhone's Wi-Fi and then connect to the Wi-Fi network. The time it takes to establish a connect to the network is much slower, and the range appears to be shorter too. Locations where I once was able to receive a solid signal are now dead spots.

    1. Re:I blame iOS 12 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Interesting. I have the SE which is essentially a 6S in a proper form factor. The only (and a very big one at that) problem I have with IOS 12 is the GPS going limp and only using the cell towers for the calculations, even though the satellites are in sight in the cloudless, dry open sky of utah.

    2. Re:I blame iOS 12 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      hahahaha

    3. Re:I blame iOS 12 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      My experience: I think iOS 12's network manager and bad HAL design is to blame for WiFi issues.

      Apple transitioned to Intel cellular modems and in-house Apple WiFi modems, so there are probably issues with the hardware abstraction layer between older, more capable 3rd party chips versus iOS 12 that was built to target newer chips with less capability. That is, the OS probably handles some aspects of modem control that drivers and modem chips used to handled themselves. Probably the OS is not calibrated correctly for different link quality metrics of different modems across devices. The system for selecting the best link was probably moved into the OS platform abstraction layer without consideration for better link selection performance at the chip/driver level in older chipsets.

      I have noticed that on iPhone 7+ model A1661 (Qualcomm LTE / Broadcom WiFi), iOS 12 prefers distant 5GHz networks over in-room 2.4GHz networks, even when the 5GHz network has poor reception and link quality. The iPhone can no longer be trusted to pick the most reliable access point; it seems theoretical bandwidth is now a more important part of the AP selection criteria than signal. All access points broadcast their SSID, and even when iOS 12 drops the 5GHz AP due to poor signal, it does not pick up the in-room 2.4GHz network without manual user intervention.

  24. XS and XS Max: very interesting names by OneHundredAndTen · · Score: 1

    I wonder whether they are sly references to the excessive prices of these trinkets?

    1. Re:XS and XS Max: very interesting names by phalse+phace · · Score: 1

      And the XR is the X at a Reduced price

  25. Choose Apple by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    As the Fanboys say, apple just works

  26. "Upgraded" by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2, Interesting

    "Some users who upgraded to an iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max over the weekend have reported poor cell and Wi-Fi reception and noticeably slower speeds when comparing their new phones to their older models."

    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  27. For those that don't get the joke... by Pollux · · Score: 4, Informative

    Eight years ago, when Apple debuted the iPhone 4, they re-engineered the antenna, making it into a stainless steel band running around the edge of the phone. But the antenna was actually two separate antennas, with a very narrow gap between them. If anything, including your hand, created enough of a conducting pathway between the two separate antennas, reception and 3G data quality reduced terribly. As this Anandtech article explained, "Anything conductive which bridges the gap in the bottom left couples the antennas together, detuning the precisely engineered antennas. It's a problem of impedance matching with the body as an antenna, and the additional antenna that becomes part of the equation when you touch the bottom left.

    And so, when asked about the problem, Steve Jobs famously said, "Just avoid holding it in that way."

    1. Re:For those that don't get the joke... by AmiMoJo · · Score: 2

      Also worth mentioning the "solutions" that Apple offered for the iPhone 4 antenna problems.

      First was to offer everyone a rubber band to wrap around the phone to prevent shorting the antennas out.

      Second was to adjust the signal strength display on screen to give more bars, making people think that their phones had better signal than they actually did.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    2. Re:For those that don't get the joke... by radarskiy · · Score: 1

      "Just avoid holding it in that way."

      Yet another thing that Apple did not invent.

  28. Technical analysis of new antenna shortcomings by JoeyRox · · Score: 5, Informative
    1. Re:Technical analysis of new antenna shortcomings by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

      Now that is informative! It remains to be seen what Apple can do to correct this, since it sounds like updates may be only able to do so much. Even a very quick hardware revision will take some time though... we'll also see how many people notice a difference, though for sure it seems a significant number are.

      Maybe the Apple Watch can start sharing a cellular connection with the phone instead of vice-versa... :-)

      --
      "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    2. Re:Technical analysis of new antenna shortcomings by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We all know exactly what apple will do. Deny deny deny.
      Deny this issue and any other issues cause by it in the future.
      Maybe if several class action lawsuits are brought against apple they will offer a repair program for a few hundred dollars in a few years.
      History repeats itself.

    3. Re:Technical analysis of new antenna shortcomings by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Apple has already planned its response: First, they're going to compare it to a lesser known Android phone model made by an even lesser known OEM, and use that as proof that they're no worse than others, and that it is in fact better. The problem is you, the consumer: You're buying it wrong. Because of your mistake, you're just going to have to buy a new one.

  29. AntennaGate again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What do you expect for a $1000 plus phone? Do you really think Apple is concerned about its basic functions??

    1. Re:AntennaGate again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As long as iDiots keep blindly buying them with no critical thinking. Nope.

    2. Re:AntennaGate again! by baker_tony · · Score: 1

      Damn, so much pure hate towards a type of phone. I guess you got butt raped with an iPhone in jail a lot?

    3. Re:AntennaGate again! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Now I'm an Android user not an iPhone user (currently, I used to use an iPhone) but come on, Samsung released a phone that quite literally exploded and caused owners' cars and houses to catch fire and people are still buying the successor to that phone. Not sure what leads to perpetuate the moronic view that all people who buy a particular brand/type of phone think the same.

    4. Re:AntennaGate again! by Cmdln+Daco · · Score: 1

      Clearly you've experimented and found an excellent use case for purchasing an iPhone.

    5. Re:AntennaGate again! by baker_tony · · Score: 1

      I've found both iOS and Android phones work when butt raping.
      Android phone are more flexible in how you use them, but are more likely to "fuck out" on you and ultimately provide a more chaffing experience.
      iOS phones just work, but there's less ways you can insert them.

    6. Re:AntennaGate again! by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      Now I'm an Android user not an iPhone user (currently, I used to use an iPhone) but come on, Samsung released a phone that quite literally exploded and caused owners' cars and houses to catch fire and people are still buying the successor to that phone. Not sure what leads to perpetuate the moronic view that all people who buy a particular brand/type of phone think the same.

      In fairness, we didn't keep buying the model that exploded. (Actually, I just kept my older model, which I still have, but the point still stands.)

      You also should mention the first Samsung galaxy, which had defective GPS. As a family we switched to Motorola for years.

      What's interesting to me is that even after the problems came out about this particular rather expensive iphone, it was still a hot seller. Clearly there was something else going on besides the mere ability to send and receive calls. Maybe because it takes such good pictures? (But then, why not buy a camera?)

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  30. HA What a piece of shit apple is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Looks good on all the mindless iSheep that were so eager to drop Qualcomm because apple was to cheap to pay them. Hope all those profits apple made cutting corners helps you get a signal.

    1. Re: HA What a piece of shit apple is by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Why do you really care? Donâ(TM)t you have anything better to do than worry about what type of cell phones other people choose to buy?

      Who cares?

      Get a fucking life.

  31. Problem solving. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    The message has been receive and a patch will be sent soon enough.
    Older models will have their performance decrease so the newer model won't feel so sluggish anymore.

    1. Re:Problem solving. by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      The message has been receive and a patch will be sent soon enough.
      Older models will have their performance decrease so the newer model won't feel so sluggish anymore.

      Will the patch also misreport the bars so we think signal strength has improved?

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  32. OMG Too funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Im sure they are all holding it wrong.

  33. Free bumper cases for everyone* by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    * User must pay shipping and handling.

  34. Confirmed by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I can confirm this has been my experience with one. Also that I was overcharged for minimal improvements and still pissed there's no headphone jack from the company "brave" enough to screw their customers repeatedly. And lack of fingerprint reader is seriously annoying.

    1. Re:Confirmed by stealth_finger · · Score: 2

      I can confirm this has been my experience with one. Also that I was overcharged for minimal improvements and still pissed there's no headphone jack from the company "brave" enough to screw their customers repeatedly. And lack of fingerprint reader is seriously annoying.

      So why did you buy one?

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    2. Re:Confirmed by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      I can confirm this has been my experience with one. Also that I was overcharged for minimal improvements and still pissed there's no headphone jack from the company "brave" enough to screw their customers repeatedly. And lack of fingerprint reader is seriously annoying.

      So why did you buy one?

      Because it's Apple. Silly person.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  35. That can 't be right . . . by hawk · · Score: 1

    I got mine on Friday, and have yet to see the third, let alone fourth, bar . . .

    hawk

    1. Re:That can 't be right . . . by houghi · · Score: 1

      Ah, the joys of being an early adapter. I miss it. But I miss not having money less.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
    2. Re:That can 't be right . . . by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      I got mine on Friday, and have yet to see the third, let alone fourth, bar . . .

      hawk

      So if Apple fixes the bar display, you will have better reception?

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  36. as someone once said by Orrin+Bloquy · · Score: 1

    CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW

    --
    "Made up/misattributed quote that makes me look smart. I am on /. and I must look smart."
  37. iPhone X WiFi was already bad by misnohmer · · Score: 1

    Got 2 iPhone X'es in my household and they get the worst WiFi reception out of all devices in the house (Apple banned any apps that will actually show you channels and signal strength, but you can still monitor from the AP side). An iPhone 6 and and iPhone 5S work great where iPhone X loses 5GHz and switches to 2.4GHz as backup. Grabbed an iPhone X and Galaxy S9+ and started walking away from the home, Galaxy got twice as far (by a couple hundred feet) before not being able to stay connected. Sounds like iPhone XS is continuing with the decline. Maybe a ploy to sell Apple's WiFi AP products?

    1. Re:iPhone X WiFi was already bad by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      Got 2 iPhone X'es in my household and they get the worst WiFi reception out of all devices in the house (Apple banned any apps that will actually show you channels and signal strength, but you can still monitor from the AP side). An iPhone 6 and and iPhone 5S work great where iPhone X loses 5GHz and switches to 2.4GHz as backup. Grabbed an iPhone X and Galaxy S9+ and started walking away from the home, Galaxy got twice as far (by a couple hundred feet) before not being able to stay connected. Sounds like iPhone XS is continuing with the decline. Maybe a ploy to sell Apple's WiFi AP products?

      *Do* the devices work any better with Apple WiFi access points? That would be a little diabolical, but would at least be a solution.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  38. Because who would expect a phone by SlaveToTheGrind · · Score: 1

    to actually be usable as a... well, phone?

  39. Re:Antenna by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

    This is due to the superior antenna in the new models. The users are holding it wrong and this causes the antenna to work sub-optimally.

    - SuperKendall

    Amazing how the usual Apple astroturfers are completely AWOL from this Apple thread. But the Apple astromods are on the job.

    Fix your product Apple. Trolling Slashdot does not fix your product.

    Neither does Trolling ABOUT Apple.

  40. New flash!!! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    apple makes low quality ; high profit devices.
    People are just figuring this out?

    1. Re:New flash!!! by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

      apple makes low quality ; high profit devices. People are just figuring this out?

      Pretty though.

      --
      Wanna buy a shirt?
      https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
    2. Re:New flash!!! by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      apple makes low quality ; high profit devices.
      People are just figuring this out?

      Pretty though.

      Are they really? Or do we think they're pretty because that's what we're told? Just askin'.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  41. Re:Antenna by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

    So, no interest in fixing your product then. Typical Apple.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  42. Re:Antenna by stealth_finger · · Score: 0

    Making a good product that works is hard and affects the bottom line. Why would they bother when then they know that iDiots will just buy the crap anyway? So design it just enough, stick it in a sleek looking wrapper and throw it out the door.

    --
    Wanna buy a shirt?
    https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
  43. Re: Antenna by CoolDiscoRex · · Score: 0
    I've got a couple of MacBooks, and iPad Pro, and an iPhone 7 Plus, but this time around I bought a Galaxy Note 9 with 512GB.

    I like both Android and iOS stuff (and I hate them both as well, a litanny of reasons for each).

    That sad, I still find the iPeople fascinating. They don't actually get anything from policing the Internet for Apple criticism, except for longer lines and higher prices. I mean, when you talk something up, you're just increasing competition for yourself. What do they actually get for acting as unpaid PR folks for the world's most profitable company?

    Maybe they own stock, I dunno.

    It's kind of like when a person's favorite team wins the Super Bowl. They yell, scream, cheer, and go nuts ... only to find that the bandwagon jumpers bought out all the seats for next year, and seats and team merchandise that's left quadruple in price.

    "You" won.

    Yay.

    Oh, and, uh, it just works.

    (I can almost see the purple-faced iPerson mashing the 'Troll' button. "Only a troll would disagree with me, there's no other possibility, I mean, I'm me .... people don't disagree with me, after all, I'm me .... me I tell you ... me ....)

  44. Yeah, yeah, but ... by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 1

    ... is it "beautiful"?

  45. Re:Antenna by aquacrayfish · · Score: 1

    That only makes sense if they were a marketing company and not an engineering company.

  46. Re: Antenna by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I've got a couple of MacBooks, and iPad Pro, and an iPhone 7 Plus, but this time around I bought a Galaxy Note 9 with 512GB.

    I like both Android and iOS stuff (and I hate them both as well, a litanny of reasons for each).

    That sad, I still find the iPeople fascinating. They don't actually get anything from policing the Internet for Apple criticism, except for longer lines and higher prices. I mean, when you talk something up, you're just increasing competition for yourself. What do they actually get for acting as unpaid PR folks for the world's most profitable company?

    Maybe they own stock, I dunno.

    It's kind of like when a person's favorite team wins the Super Bowl. They yell, scream, cheer, and go nuts ... only to find that the bandwagon jumpers bought out all the seats for next year, and seats and team merchandise that's left quadruple in price.

    "You" won.

    Yay.

    Oh, and, uh, it just works.

    (I can almost see the purple-faced iPerson mashing the 'Troll' button. "Only a troll would disagree with me, there's no other possibility, I mean, I'm me .... people don't disagree with me, after all, I'm me .... me I tell you ... me ....)

    LOL! ... It is funny because it is true!

    One thing that makes me wonder even more, is how they are unable to acknowledge the facts, facts such as
    the quality components in iDevices have droppet alarmingly (ie. intel vs qualcomm chips in iPhones),
    the amount of software bugs have increased alarmingly (just do a little search or two to confirm this),
    the price of their hardware has increased alarmingly

    so basically with each new generation og idevices, Apple fans are paying more and more for less and less with more and more bugs and worse quality in both electronics and materials than last generation

    Apple user... thy name shall from now on be... iDiot and thy icon shall be the official iTurd (updated each year as this is essential)

    iDiot's can be glad that they are far to HIP to care about nonsense like cell and wifi reception on their iDevices.. as long as they have the LATEST iTurd emoji!

  47. throttling by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Should have kept net neutrality.

    If you are rich enough to buy a $1500 phone, then ATT, Verizon, and friends say you should be rich enought of pay $1500 for your phone bill. Don't like that? Go talk to the FCC. They will say "of course there is no monopoly", just like their owners have instructed them to.

  48. Re:Antenna by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

    They are! They maybe used to be an engineering company but not any more.

    --
    Wanna buy a shirt?
    https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
  49. Re:Antenna by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

    So, no interest in fixing your product then. Typical Apple.

    You must have me confused with the REAL Tim Cook.

    Where in your Syphilitic, Addled, excuse-for-a-brain do you think that "I" have any more power than YOU to fix this.

    Oh, and BTW: I agree it is likely caused by Intel's MODEM chip. I have ALSO said that Qualcomm's core-competency lies in their RF engineering.

    Unfortunately, the parents (Apple and Qualcomm) are fighting, and "we children" are having to put up with living with the relatives for right now...

  50. Re:Antenna by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

    They are! They maybe used to be an engineering company but not any more.

    Right.

    Because it really doesn't take any ENGINEERING to design and create things like the Apple Watch 4. Those are just Reference Designs by the people who Developed the SoC, right?

    Oh, but wait...

  51. Re:Antenna by aquacrayfish · · Score: 1

    Apologies, I forgot my sarcasm tag on that post. I was wholeheartedly agreeing with you.

  52. Re:Antenna by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

    So you're ok with broken, overpriced Apple products.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  53. Re:Antenna by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

    So you're ok with broken, overpriced Apple products.

    Of course not. And when I see one, I will be the first to "out" it.

  54. Re:Antenna by Tough+Love · · Score: 1

    Sure you will. Meanwhile, Apple squirming uncomfortably over Antennagate II.

    --
    When all you have is a hammer, every problem starts to look like a thumb.
  55. Re:Antenna by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    apple is great at copying and stealing

  56. Re:Antenna by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    then you are blind as well as stupid

  57. Re:Antenna by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

    Who the fuck cares about the watch? And if that's the only thing you can come up with to support your point, well, that says a lot really doesn't it. But ok, they still do some engineering, incremental phone updates, the occasional new product, fine but they are all designed with form in mind first and then marketed and priced well above their weight. Apple is way more interested in making money than a good product.

    --
    Wanna buy a shirt?
    https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
  58. Re:Antenna by stealth_finger · · Score: 1

    lol it's hard to tell sometimes.

    --
    Wanna buy a shirt?
    https://www.redbubble.com/people/stealthfinger/shop?asc=u
  59. Re:Antenna by TheFakeTimCook · · Score: 1

    Who the fuck cares about the watch? And if that's the only thing you can come up with to support your point, well, that says a lot really doesn't it. But ok, they still do some engineering, incremental phone updates, the occasional new product, fine but they are all designed with form in mind first and then marketed and priced well above their weight. Apple is way more interested in making money than a good product.

    I didn't include anything else because I figured anything I said would be seen as simply "Incremental Improvement". Which, of course, everything after the invention of the WHEEL arguably also falls under that category.

    Would you agree that the iMac Pro also took some Engineering? Because if not, then you simply have no grasp of what it takes to actually take a blank computer screen and end up with a workable, manufacture-able PRODUCT.

    Oh, and it isn't that Apple cares for form OVER function; the reason it SEEMS that way is that almost NO ONE else seems to care about "form" AT ALL. Since these are the Tools by which many people make their living, just like a Hammer or Screwdriver; do you think those people would rather the hammer have a nice-comfortable, molded handle, or a piece of wood with splinters in it? So obviously, "form" ENHANCES "function"; or more correctly, "form" is an essential part of "function".

    That's what you apparently don't understand.

  60. Re: HA What a piece of shit apple is by roc97007 · · Score: 1

    I know you're not talking to me, but the issues to me are twofold:

    (a) The company I work for, and come to think of it the previous company and the one before that, have/had standardized on the iphone for a company phone. So I get issued one whether it's actually useful or not. Because it's pretty and slippery and thin and the execs liked that. This is the largest issue.

    I'm not an exec, it's not important to me how many aesthetic awards my phone has won, and "keeping up appearances" means nothing to me. What's vital to me is that my phone make and receive calls reliably when I'm chasing a severity one incident. (For this reason, the iphone I'm required to have sits mostly unused in a second holster, and my team knows to call me on my old beat-up Note 3 instead.)

    So I follow these threads to see what I'll potentially have to deal with, and yes, occasionally venting, which is arguably not terribly mature but is cathartic.

    (b) (Admittedly to a much lesser extent,) I have to drive by an AT&T store to get to the beginning of the drive-thru line for the most convenient Starbucks on the way to work. Every time Apple craps out some new handheld device, there's a big crowd of people standing in the cold PNW drizzle waiting for the store to open. They block traffic, and flat out refuse to get out of the way for oncoming cars, rather than take a chance of losing their place. It's damned irritating. Have some SELF RESPECT, people. It's JUST A PHONE.

    All that said, there are worse things than having an iphone. My Windows phone, long ago, would pop up a message "(some driver) has stopped working and will now close" with an OK button. Thereafter, the phone WOULD NOT RING until it was rebooted. An iphone was arguably better than that. I guess everything is relative.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.