iPhone/Smartphone antenna issue
So you want to know exactly what Apple have to say about the Antenna issue? Well, Apple have kindly posted a page with details and videos of the problem for all to see. With comparisons of other device such as the 3GS, Droid Eris, Samsung Omnia II and the Blackberry Bold 9700, I have to say you can clearly see the issue affects other phones as well.
Hit the read more for the link and tell us what your thoughts are on this issue now that you have all the info.
Understanding attenuation and signal loss.
The opposite of amplification, attenuation happens whenever a signal is obstructed. All antennas — including television, radio, GPS, and cellular antennas — can experience attenuation. And with most antennas, the density and composition of the human hand can cause attenuation to a greater degree than some other materials. On a mobile phone, signal loss typically occurs when your hand attenuates the most sensitive part of the antenna. In the photos and videos below, we demonstrate how different grips cause attenuation on many popular smartphones — including iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS.
– Smartphone Antenna Performance – Apple.com
Seems a little bit silly to promote all this in-house testing as on one hand they are saying we have all this multi million dollar technology and spent hours upon hours testing the phone but on the other hand we didn’t know there was an issue… Hmmm might wanna get a refund on that equipment!! Haha
(camtab has made 468 comments)
But in Apples/Steve Jobs own special way they have kinda admitted that real world experience has shown an issue and users are key so I appreciate that and still have every faith in them and their products. iPhone 4 here I come!!
(camtab has made 468 comments)
Cool now that’s out of the way. I have seen some evidence of the pending release here. 80% of people who have registered interest With Vodafone are existing iPhone owners
(Topes has made 66 comments)
Somebody correct me if this is a dumb question, but if bridging that black strip on the lower left side where the two antennae meet is what causes the attenuation, why didn’t they put that on the upper part of the phone?
(ALFA has made 25 comments)
ALFA wrote:
Because it’s a legal requirement that all cellphones have their antenna located at the bottom of the device. I’ll leave the googling-for-confirmation to you
(Subject22 has made 10 comments)
@ Subject22:
I believe ya. (But what if my hand gets cancer! I use it so much more often than my brain…)
(ALFA has made 25 comments)
@ Subject22:
According to Apple the main antenna in the Droid Eris is at the top of the phone
(747 has made 3 comments)
The press conference really told us nothing we didn't already know with the addition of some fake videos showing signal drop on other phones and a free case, yawn. The gist of the conference was "our customers are stupid and will buy a phone with antenna issues anyway"
I think its designed like that as the signal comes to the bottom so the radiation doesn't emit into your brain or something like that
(raab has made 24 comments)
@ raab: I don't think those videos are fakes, I could be wrong, but I doubt it. It was very much a PR recovery conference…. but I don't think it was Yawn fest….. especially when they announced the launch date for other countries.
I see RIM took this very well. Official statement from RIM below.
“Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation. RIM is a global leader in antenna design and has been successfully designing industry-leading wireless data products with efficient and effective radio performance for over 20 years. During that time, RIM has avoided designs like the one Apple used in the iPhone 4 and instead has used innovative designs which reduce the risk for dropped calls, especially in areas of lower coverage. One thing is for certain, RIM’s customers don’t need to use a case for their BlackBerry smartphone to maintain proper connectivity. Apple clearly made certain design decisions and it should take responsibility for these decisions rather than trying to draw RIM and others into a situation that relates specifically to Apple.”
- Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie
(Paul has made 323 comments)
Nicely done by RIM.
Why couldn’t Apple get right in the first place. Now I am nervous about iPhone 4.5 in October.
(kanz has made 32 comments)
Search youtube and you can see videos of other phones doing the same thing.
(Omad has made 65 comments)