iPhone 4 Review: 1 - Hardware Fit & Finish - Page 4

Originally Posted by Ireland

How convenient. I wonder it that's because it covers up a flaw on the iPhone's design. Don't answer.

Originally Posted by Hutcho

Honestly, the author epitomizes "fanboyness", although we can expect nothing less as every article on this site is the same. No criticism, only praise. Really, can't you for once show a bit of journalistic integrity and write a somewhat objective article? Praising virtually every component of every Apple product is, frankly, sickening and pathetic. Give yourself a douchebag high 5 on the way out..

Originally Posted by nvidia2008

Wow, that Kool Aid sure tastes great, huh?

Originally Posted by Ireland

I'll tell you what have done. They have told us to: "just don't hold it in that way". Or buy one of the many cases available.

If you are gullible enough then they have done the right thing for you, their customer. If you are being honest with yourself, they have just fucked up a product royally, and blamed you the customer for holding the product wrong. They have just kicked in the balls after taking your money. To accept that it stupid. And it doesn't even serve to make Apple a better company. All it serves them with is the knowledge if they fuck up with something as stupid as putting a mobile phone antenna right where you hold the phone normally their customers will sit there and take it like a bunch of idiot zombies.

Question: If it is firmware fixable, why didn't Steve just say that?

Because the only info I have that it is software fixable is a very shady story on Apple Insider.

Originally Posted by Ireland

A lot of people are expecting a software fix Monday or Tuesday, frankly something tells me we won't be seeing it.

Originally Posted by Postulant

I sure hate it for those unfortunate customers. Both of the phones we bought work beautifully. I realize there's an issue, unfortunately, the people who aren't having problems don't chime in to let the world know their device works, and works great. I suspect, and I could be wrong, that out of the millions of iPhones Apple will sell, only a very small percentage will actually have problems.

Mine works flawlessly, and I'm letting the world know. Others should do the same.

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

First: I got my iPhone 4 at 11:04 on June 23-- 1 day early. That was slightly less than 4 days ago! If there is a problem, and I suspect there is, there has hardly been enough time to:

[...]

It's important to see what Apple does!

Based, on 32 years of history, I suspect that Apple will do the right thing by its customers, dealers and shareholders!

Originally Posted by Rind




Apple needs to come out with something other then "Hold it differently"

Originally Posted by DerPlanck

As does mine. I don't come close to holding it in a way that covers that black strip, holding it in my left hand and I'm a righty. I've covered it up and watched those bars go down, but my call neither distorted or dropped. But apparently if the bars go down on the screen this upsets people.

This isn't the first time the iPhone was criticized over this issue. The first one in 2007, same thing. It was widely reported, but not as much because the device wasn't as established and not as many people bought it. Identical wharrglebarrgle was written and paid for on user comment pages by Apple's competitors and bloviating drama queen tech addicts, saying the exact same thing, that you can't hold it. Look it up. The phone did fine, and this one has already done fine, despite the same anti-hysteria hysteria.

Originally Posted by Postulant

Steve has said at least twice that a patch is imminent. I believe Mossberg was the first to report that Apple is aware of this bug and a patch is due soon. I'm trying to figure out why people keep glossing over this fact - eh, I know why.

lol @ antenna scientist. I hope he's smarter than that one retina display scientist.

Originally Posted by DanaCameron

Let's see. I have an iPhone 4 that's functioning perfectly with none of the issues others are unfortunately experiencing, it looks fantastic and is protected. Yeah, I guess my Kool Aid does taste pretty good.

Seriously, the article addressed the fine fit and finish of the iPhone 4, to which I noted the Bumper is a complement rather than a detraction. It's just my opinion, obviously, but I thought some readers (both posters and non-posters) in this forum might appreciate a more detailed description of the aesthetics of the Bumper as it relates to the design of the iPhone 4. Obviously, that intention was lost on many here. And that's okay too.

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

Steve gave one of his abrasive terse answers*, followed by a more PR-like answer. While the terse answer, understandably, irritated those with the problem, it has set the blogs afire -- even from those, like yourself, who don't have the device (and, thus don't have the problem).

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

I'll make a gentleman's wager that this iPhone 4 issue will be resolved before we see full Flash released and available on any smart phone!

.

Originally Posted by Rind

I dont have the iPhone 4 , but am using a 3G.

Until the iphone was released I had never owned an Apple product.
Once I usd a friends iPhone I knew I had to have one. So I used a 2G , then purchased a used 3G. I am fortanate in that AT&T provides excellent coverage in Georgia.

This year I decided to make the switch to a Macbook Pro and really enjoying that purchase. Never have I Hated or Loved Apple, but the remark made by S Jobs really bothered me. I dont consider myself a fanboy of anything , I just like products that work.

Apple hasnt made a case for any iPhone in the past that I am aware of. Now they make one and it is also the "Fix" for the signal issue? If this was a MS phone many of you would be laughing at the people having to use a bumer to get phone signal.

Apple needs to come out with something other then "Hold it differently"
And if they start giving out Free bumpers that will be what pushes me to the Droid.

Originally Posted by halhiker

Face Time seems incomplete. It needs to work as a phone call AND as iChat, not a combination of both while being neither. I guess a software update can fix that but it seems silly to have to switch from a phone call to WiFi.

Originally Posted by Postulant

Steve has said at least twice that a patch is imminent.

Originally Posted by solipsism

Despite being a real thing, the term "antenna scientist" is pretty damn funny sounding.

Originally Posted by Ireland

Get ready to be wrongly labelled to a troll.

Originally Posted by nht

He's not spamming the forum over a problem he doesn't have with a phone he doesn't own.

Originally Posted by WasteLayer

Jesus dude, get a room. I love the product too but not enough to drool all over the eyes of everyone reading the review.

"The new phone demands a sense of reverence, almost as if you're unworthy to use it." Really? I should feel unworthy to use a phone?

Your delusions are out of hand. I recommend some ssrious in-patient therapy.

Originally Posted by Grievous Angel

but Apple definitely has the biggest religious following.

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

What's all the belly-aching about?

The positive reviews of the iPhone? it's from Apple, it's something Apple put a lot of work into, so NATURALLY there's a good chance it'll be a great product. No surprise with the iPhone 4.

Any issues are about to be fixed. Steve just told you so, and it seems there are enough consumers happy with their iPhone to not even render this into a serious issue.

Much ado about nothing.

Originally Posted by souliisoul

AS Apple shareholder for a long time, he better not screw up my retirement plan by giving such answers, since I want the company banks to overflow and my dividends keep coming in and share price rise steadily

Originally Posted by WasteLayer

Jesus dude, get a room. I love the product too but not enough to drool all over the eyes of everyone reading the review.

"The new phone demands a sense of reverence, almost as if you're unworthy to use it." Really? I should feel unworthy to use a phone?

Your delusions are out of hand. I recommend some ssrious in-patient therapy.

Originally Posted by commun5

www.marketingtactics.com


And you, Dave Barnes, are practicing your "Marketing Tactics" in the hopes that you will find some gullible people who will decide not to buy iPhone 4 after finding your statement in a Google search. First tactic: claiming that, not you, but your wife, has the new iPhone. That shows so much objectivity. Second, presenting such a suave description of the reception problem; surely a sophisticated guy like you wouldn't get upset about it, but maybe someone else ought to. Great technique for trying to cultivate doubt and panic.

Feel free to collect your Android check, but give your audience maybe just a tiny bit more credit than your "tactics" would admit. After all, there are millions of "Apple Fanboys" who are getting tired of the label.

Originally Posted by Postulant

Haven't you heard? The news is spreading and the sales are halting...

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

There's a good reason for that. They've earned it. The visionless also-rans committed to churning out derivative, poorly-copied garbage would kill for this kind of a following.

Originally Posted by Postulant

Get ready to be labeled a fanboi.

Originally Posted by Grievous Angel

\\what they .... DON'T do well.

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

There's a good reason for that. They've earned it. The visionless also-rans committed to churning out derivative, poorly-copied garbage would kill for this kind of a following.

Originally Posted by Postulant

Haven't you heard? The news is spreading and the sales are halting...

Originally Posted by mstone

Where can I get some of these dividends of which you speak?

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

No matter how much the trolls and astroturfers try, they can't take the wind out of Apple's success.

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

No matter how much the trolls and astroturfers try, they can't take the wind out of Apple's success.

!

Originally Posted by Ireland

This antenna issue has nothing to do with trolls and everything to do with a fault in a product. It looks like it's hardware related, but let's see. Defending Apple on this is stupid. You can like their products, but you're still actually allowed to criticize them if they fuck up, you know. Well you don't, but now you can say you do.

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

At this point, they're doing everything well. In fact we have yet to see any major blunders or even ones worth complaining about, for the last decade.

Their product execution and entire strategy has been dead-on for years now.

But by all means, keep hunting for faults if it pleases you and then hid behind the "objectivity" curtain. Just remember your feet are showing.

Originally Posted by Ireland

No company has earned a religious following, they are a company.

Originally Posted by Postulant

Why is mine working properly? Am I special? Holding it wrong?

Despite the considerable hype and subsequent excitement that surrounded iPhone 4s official debut in June, the reality of actually using Apples latest device is somewhat more complicated than we had expectedit looks and in some ways feels great, but there are other parts that could have used more work before its release. Viewed objectively and directly alongside the iPhone 3GS that preceded it, iPhone 4 has far more in common than not with its predecessor, save for the upgraded screen and cameras, the shiny new chassis, and the battery improvements. Users considering an upgrade from an iOS 4-equipped iPhone 3GS to the iPhone 4 will for the most part find the screen and UI differences to be noticeable and better but not earth-shattering, as contrasted with iPhone 4s hugely superior camera functionality and somewhat better run times, which will be killer features for some users; iPhone 3G and EDGE owners will find it to be a huge jump up in most respects. Literally all of iPhone 4s new still and video camera capabilities are impressive, even if FaceTime is unnecessarily limited in compatibility for nowiChat integration would have been a no-brainer. Heavy users, particularly those using video recording features, will still find that they need mid-day recharging assistance, while lighter users may be able to stretch out iPhones life to a full work day, particularly if theyre willing to fall back to EDGE cellular performance. We wouldnt be, but first-generation iPhone owners might.


Even while acknowledging the physical beauty of Apples latest designyet another pocketable piece of art from Jony Ive and his legendary team, worthy of awards as much for its execution as the boldness of the chosen materialsit must be said that the glass and metal iPhone 4 has a certain impracticality that will turn off some users as much as it excites others. The challenges caused by its antenna system and scratchable, glossy body are ones that many users will want to mitigate with cases, which may have been beneficial for past iPhones but seem downright necessary now. For no good reason other than to look cool, iPhone 4 feels like it has taken yet another step down the designed to be damaged and ultimately replaced path, a point that Apple would surely spin as environmentally friendly due to the recyclability of its glass and metal. But if iPhone 4 was truly a nod to famed German designer Dieter Rams, as noted in the introduction to this review, it should respect his principles that good design is long-lasting, environmentally friendly, and makes a product useful. Products should be built to last rather than disposable, and items made to be moved in and out of pockets shouldnt break after a few drops, or suffer networking problems when held normally in ones hand. True environmental friendliness avoids the need for product replacement and recycling rather than exacerbating it; good design also makes a product useful, rather than making the user work around its limitations. As attractive as it is, iPhone 4s case-dependent body design is the only reason it falls short of our high recommendation, and should Apple provide a reasonable remedy to the obvious problems here, well take the rare step of revisiting our rating in light of that change.


That having been said, iPhone 4 is otherwise the best iPhone Apple has released: it surpasses every past model in horsepower, screen quality, data speeds and versatility while either rivaling or improving upon their feature-for-feature battery life, and the price points are reasonable given the quantity and quality of capabilities Apple is offering. This isnt another G4 Cube, a product that looked incredible but didnt outperform other Apple and competing products; its an incredibly powerful smartphone, so long as its body is protected. Were it not for the chassis concerns, and the variability of AT&Ts service, which continues to hold U.S. customers back from enjoying the data speeds and call stability they deservedifferentially on a city-by-city basisthis new model would be a close to no-brainer recommendation for all sorts of potential customers, including everyone from iPhone EDGE and 3G upgraders to first-time users. Instead, our advice is as follows: buy into the iPhone 4 solely if youre in a city established to have reliable 3G coverage and are making the switch from an older phone. Get a case quickly and avoid dropping the phone. If you have an iPhone 3GS, you can probably afford to hold off on this one until next years update comes, but the camera and screen improvements may tempt you to jump in anyway. Wed wait, but wed also understand if you couldnt. Issues aside, the iPhone 4 once again inspires the kind of lust that will only seem foolish when its replaced.

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

Nope. They represent far more. They're a lifestyle choice.

And this company-like-any-other has changed the face and direction of tech more times than anyone would care to count.

We know you like to play the contrarian and take Apple down a notch now and then (whether called for or not), but don't wade too far into the deep end.