Steve Jobs is hosting an emergency press conference to address the reception problems with the new iPhone 4.
"We're not perfect, phones aren't perfect. But we want to make all our users happy," Jobs told the crowd of tech journalists in Cupertino.
The new iPhone launched last June and has quickly become the fastest-selling smartphone that Apple has so far released.
However, there has been recurrent problems with the signal dropping off on the device if you don't hold it (as Jobs infamously said) 'properly' – hence today's press conference in Cupertino.
Antennagate at Apple
"We got reports about users having troubles with the antenna system," said Jobs. "The problems they were saying .. people were touching the 'x marks the spot'...this had been judged 'antennagate.'"
It has only been 22 days since launch, the Apple CEO added, telling the crowd: "we've got some of the finest scientists in the world...we want to find out what the real problem is before we find the solution...we've been working our butts off for the past 22 days to find out the real problem and the real solutions."
The Apple boss says all phones have problems with antenna reception, demo'ing how the issue affects the BlackBerry and HTC Droid, with Jobs noting: "The time it takes for the bars to go down depends on the algorithm."
Jobs also points to the Samsung Omnia 2 and says this is "life in the smartphone world" and that "every phone has weak spots."
According to Jobs Apple using padded rooms to test for antenna reception, with the company having 17 of these "anecohoic chambers" at a cost of $100 million. There are 18 PhD scientists and engineers on staff to test for these things.
"We didn't think it would be a big problem because every phone has this issue," Jobs added.
Historically not a large problem
Jobs also says that the percentage of users who have called about antenna or reception issues is 0.55 per cent. "Historically for us, this is not a large number."
Following this, Jobs rolls out some recent figures on AT&T return rates for shipments, specifically comparing the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 3GS. For the 3GS, the return rate was 6 per cent whereas for the iPhone 4 it is (to date) 1.7 per cent.
Jobs says: "Returns at the largest iPhone reseller [AT&T], are a third of what they are for a phone that was regarded as spectacular a year ago."
Tellingly, Jobs then admits that the iPhone 4 calls drops more calls than the iPhone 3GS, although tries to make light of the fact by saying that it is less than one additional call per additional 100 calls compared to iPhone 3GS.
Your comments (11) Click to add a new comment
lovlid
July 21st 2010
11. He should have said
"We're not perfect, "our" phones aren't perfect"
but the mans arrogance wouldn't let him.
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slaguru
July 18th 2010
10. @Drunken Max said
"I guess there is a new improved iPhlop 4 out in October so that sort of devalues the faulty one all you smucks have already bought. Enjoy you delusions."
Love the way you used iPhlop there.
You are so right, while I and the other three million iPhlop users sit with our £600 ipods (another great quote), we can all wish that we were as insightful as you. Maybe next time we can all give you a call (not on our iP4's of course) and make sure our next buying decision is less delusional.
Hey, well at least we get a choice of docks to put our rubbish phones in eh!. Or of course we might want to connect them to our cars in a streamlined way, you know with full radio integration or something like that. Or maybe (as we can make calls on the phone anymore), play with one of the one or two good apps for the iPhone, at least we can still do that.
Thanks again for being the voice of reason, I thought that my phone was broken because it does not seem to drop calls, but the tech media and people like you have put me straight.
Lets all hope that no other (maybe less successful) company brings out a less than perfect product. Imagine the outcry if Apples next phone also included an efuse that would render the phone useless if you tried to install your own boot loaders or something like that. No one would do that would they??
My point is that it seems no matter what you, or I or TechRadar or Gizmodo or whoever say whatever about the iP4 its still a great phone, that works for millions of people who can afford it. If you think this is an own goal for Apple you are right, but its already built up enough good will and love for people to see past that and get on with it.
And as all we Apple loving customers already know, a new phone is being tested right now. Roll on iPhone 5
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drunken_max
July 18th 2010
9. Its like a fanboy twilight zone....
Its a flawed product from an arrogant company that had to be pushed into admitting something they knew at launch day. I wonder if the iPhlop docks will allow for the rubber band? Also, I guess there is a new improved iPhlop 4 out in October so that sort of devalues the faulty one all you smucks have already bought. Enjoy you delusions.
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windymiller
July 17th 2010
8. "Face it, if the antenna was sticking out the top, someone would cover it up to see...what happens...dur!"
But they wouldn't naturally hold it that way.Idiot.
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akbishop
July 17th 2010
7. I am a little surprised no one has actually taken all the most recent smart phones and compared them for signal strenth by type of area (low reception area etc).... to see how they actually rate in reel world usage. My iphone 4 is working great and certainly to me, it has a better reception than my last phone. However, as someone who has purchased it, i might be tainted by the fact i like the iphone, in much the same way as someone who doesnt have one and dislikes apple might be tainted by that view. What is really needed is a truly unbiased, acurate review.... and finally put this to bed.
PCW magazine pulled there rating of the iphone and have now put it back to pending.... so does that mean the review they did before was inacurate.... or just an edit of a press release. A bit scary when you consider we all read reviews to help us make a purchasing choices.... and yet it appears that not all reviews are reviews.
A few sites have re tested and found the phone to be as they originally reviewed it (top notch). But those that are reconsidering there marks should be ashamed of them selves for not reviewing it properly in the first place.
I buy a lot of camera gear, i had a similar problem with some camera sites, in the end DP review seemed to be the most honest. I wish i knew which site was the most honest in the general tech area.
Please someone do a proper review.... with no axe to grind either way.
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paullawr
July 16th 2010
6. Shame, this geek reading techradar from one to another is taken, but heh **, happy hunting. Have you tried those internet dating sites? They are geared up for the internet savvy you know!
Word of advice, don't talk about crossing cables too early on the relationship, else hell, you will prolly get dumped!
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zoydwheeler
July 16th 2010
5. Are you single? If so, then I'd love to hook up. You sound like an absolute blast! You are clearly full of love for your fellow man and I'm sure you would also have lots of great stories to share about cables and stuff like that.
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paullawr
July 16th 2010
4. LOL, thing is, it usually is the user!
Most of this is down to the sad individual that did the "what if I cover the antenna' when knowing it was made in the frame.....that sparked most of this controversy including techradars follow up to it.
Face it, if the antenna was sticking out the top, someone would cover it up to see...what happens...dur!
There are thousands of products on sale today which have don't do, or not recommended attached to them. You wouldn't pay £100 a mtr on top grade speaker cable to coil it up to save some space. It's a known fact cable splits and can cause interference. Yet I'm sure people do, as they would with any power cord or cable when not in use.
They recommend you use rubbing alcohol mixed with 10 parts distilled water in conjunction with a micro fibre cloth to clean your flat panel tv, but hell...I bet a lot people hit with the duster and some Mr Sheen.
How many people move their Xbox 360 when its on?
How many people handle dvds with their hands clamped all over them?
How many people have heated batteries to get a bit more juice from them?
For every don't, there is always someone whom will try it!
Logic dictates, that if the antenna is on the outside, some muppet somewhere is going to cover it up. Then when the signal drops, complain like buggery about it.
Face it, stunning phone come portable entertainment unit, slightly daft users.
There is simply no amount of testing that can possibly cater for a daft user....except hiring a bunch of daft users to do those daft things to it.
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zoydwheeler
July 16th 2010
3. Yes, it is. Excellent. But not perfect. I suppose they should be applauded for admitting their faults.
But I also think it was misjudged to talk about other company's/ device's faults in this area. That makes them seem like they don't have the confidence that they *should* have in such a good product.
Admit your faults, offer a solution, move on. But for crying out loud, DO NOT SAY X, Y OR Z is also not that good either!!! Where are the PR geniuses advising Jobs?
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vivianhasasecret
July 16th 2010
2. Jobs has nothing to apologize for. The iPhone 4 is an excellent product.
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randomdog
July 16th 2010
1. Annoys me that even when he's admitting the fault with "we're not perfect" but still uses the phrase "holding it properly" - as if the user is at fault STILL.
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