The company is expected to unveil a proper solution for the antenna issues

Jul 16, 2010 16:21 GMT  ·  By

Cupertino-based Apple is preparing to kick off an iPhone 4-related press conference in a matter of hours. While the company did not specify what aspects of its latest mobile device would be covered, speculation on what the event might involve already emerged, suggesting that it would be focused on the measures Apple plans on taking in regard with the antenna issues plaguing the high-end device. The event should start at 10am PT (1pm in New York and 6pm in London).

iPhone 4 has made it to the headlines quite a few times during the past few weeks, and one should agree that not all reports on it were favorable ones. Soon after release, it has been discovered that it comes with problems related to the strength of the signal, and reports pointed towards design flaws that included the antenna. To be more precise, iPhone 4's antenna is packed inside a steel bracket that surrounds the device, and it reportedly loses reception when held in certain ways.

Apple did acknoledge that the mobile device has the said issues, but noted that they can be easily solved via a software update. Moreover, it advised users to try not holding the handset in the manner that causes the signal strength problems. The company already released a software update for the iPhone, the iOS 4.0.1, which was made available for download today. However, it seems that this might not be the solution that solves the reception problems, and that another software update should be announced today.

According to other reports around the Internet, the Cupertino-based company might even consider a recall of the first batch of iPhone 4 units out there, even if this seems little probable. Whether the antenna issues with the new mobile device would be solved via a software update, via handset replacements, or via a new, better iPhone 4 model being brought to the market, only Apple holds the answer at the moment.

Readers checking back on this page after the press conference starts should learn more on Apple's plans on the matter.

Update # 1

The event kicked off with “the iPhone 4 antenna song” being played on the screen, stating: “If you don’t want an iPhone 4, don’t buy it – if you bought one and don’t like it, bring it back.”

Steve Jobs gets on the stage, stating that over 3 million iPhone 4 devices were sold during the first 3 weeks of availability.

“The iPhone 4 is perhaps the best product Apple has ever made. It’s been judged the number one smartphone by a variety of people. Users love it,” he says.

Update # 2

The event is aimed at discussing the iPhone 4 antenna issues, just as expected. According to Jobs, this is not something related only with the iPhone, but also with other smartphones on the market.

“One of the first things we learned is that it’s not unique to the iPhone 4″

Videos of BlackBerry Bold 9700 and HTC DROID Eris dropping signal bars are being showed. “This is life when it comes to smartphones, they’re not perfect”

Update # 3

"And we had a reporting error -- we screwed up on our algorithm. Some of these other phones may be too generous. Our choice was to put the correct algorithm in. And we did that with the new update. You'll still see a drop... we haven't figured out a way around the laws of physics yet."

“We have an extremely sophisticated antenna lab. 17 anechoic chambers – we invested over $100 million over the last 5 years.”

Update # 4

Only 0.55% of all users called in about the antenna issue.

AT&T has a 'buyer's remorse' clause, one can return the device without any problems. Only 1.7% iPhone 4 buyers returned their device, one third of those who returned their iPhone 3GS units.

Update # 5

The iPhone 4 call drops represent less than one additional call per 100 than the 3GS. It does drop more calls per 100 than the 3GS, Apple admits.

iOS 4.0.1 was released yesterday, it fixes the way the bars are displayed.

Update # 6

The bumper should fix the issue, but Apple cannot make enough bumpers. "A free case for every iPhone 4 buyer. If you got one, we'll give you a refund."

"And if you're not happy, you can bring the phone back. We'll give you a full refund within 30 days. No restocking fee. We want to make everyone happy, and if we can't make you happy we'll give you a full refund."

Update # 7

Additional details: iPhone 4 white would land at the end of July On July 30, the iPhone 4 should be launched in 17 more countries

Update # 8

“We love our users,” Job states. “We've worked the last 22 days on this trying to solve the problem. And we think we've gotten to the heart of the problem."

“The iPhone 4 is the best smartphone in the world, and there is no Antennagate…,” all smartphones have issues, Jobs says.

Update # 9

Q&A started, with Steve Jobs, Tim Cook and Bob Mansfield

Apple doesn’t know how the next antenna would look like. They don't consider the iPhone 4 antenna issue as being a problem, no measures would be taken.

Q: The iPhone 4 has issues with reception when touched, while other devices don’t. Bob Mansfield: When you touch the phone, you put yourself between the signal and your phone, so when you touch that spot you can attenuate the signal, and if you grip it with your whole hand, you can attenuate it even more. We don't build phones with an antenna on top...

Update # 10

Apple says the Bloomberg report should not be taken seriously. Apple would help users with issues, but nothing to investors.

Q. Will AT&T give refunds on contracts? A. I believe they will, yes

Q. Is there a choice between form and function that customers have to make? A. No, we try to do both. The phone is smaller, the Retina Display blows away other displays. The external antenna means more space for the battery inside. We try to have our cake and eat it too, with great design and great performance. That’s what we deliver with our products

Update # 11

Is there a hardware redesign in this generation that could fix this problem? “Right now the state of the art of the entire industry is that no one has solved this problem. […] Can we make it better right now? Maybe, we'll see."

Was a recall ever up for discussion? "We get email from people all over the world about issues. We're really serious about this. We try to figure this out. We come out to their places with test equipment, we want to see logs. We try to get the info and figure it out..."

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