Apple will give away free cases for every iPhone 4 through Sept. 30 - Page 6

SJ was asked this by some reporter from Europe, the answer is Yes, globally.

Considering how widespread the negative flack Apple iPhone 4 got -- even the local station were quick to regurgitate the reports, and the talk shows were not far behind -- I will have crocodile tears for those who still go out and buy the iPhone 4, without testing the phone and asking others about their experience.

Do you have any data to support that the return rate for Apple iPhone products have been much much higher than other mobile phones?


Do you own one? I hope not,judging from the tone of many of your posts, even in this thread alone. Have you even tried one or go to an Apple Store to try one?

CGC

From Macworld Liveblog:

"Q: Are you considering any changes in the antenna design of future iPhones?

A: We've been kind of preoccupied with this. We're pretty happy with the antenna design than the iPhone 4. It's a better antenna than the 3GS in almost every way. We waved a red flag in front of a bull by putting the "grip me here" design and made it very obvious. So I don't know what our next antenna design will be. Maybe our wizards in the antenna lab will come up with something better. But we're not feeling that this is a giant problem we need to fix."

No he really didn't ever say "i'm sorry our product has a flaw". He was even asked point-blank if an apology was in order...

"Q: Do you owe people an apology? A: People say it's the coolest phone they have ever had. But we want people to be satisfied, and they can return the company. We want investors who want a long-term view, who trust us in the long run to keep innovating."

If you call that an apology, then ok, he did.

Apple antenna test info and demo:

http://www.apple.com/antenna/

So 98.3 per cent of users have yet to return their iPhones? What is wrong with these people? Don't they know how to replicate the infamous "monkey grip" in a low-signal area without a case and get their signal to drop?

It took me seven minutes in the middle of the countryside using both hands clasped tightly around the antenna to lose two bars of signal strength. Proof that this issue isn't all media hype. I don't know who's responsible but I'm getting a free case, so who cares?

They don't have to redesign the phone from the ground up. They just need to separate the skin a little bit from the metal of the antenna. It's not rocket science. Maybe lamination, clear coat, anodizing, etc. etc. I'm sure they can find a way and still preserve the appearance aesthetics or even make them better. Makes a lot more sense than covering up those said aesthetics.

LMAO


I'm all for cases. I just think the free ones should't necessarily go to those who declared that there was never an attenuation issue.




Well it depends on where you live. Maybe there aren't many iphone 4 owners on the second star. Here in NYC, however, there are Iphones of every generation, all over. So many people bought the 3GS, it's crazy. But the point is, there are more places here that the 4's attenuation can be reproduced, than not--at least from what I could tell in two days of testing.

Wasn't that in reference to the investors, not users?

10:45 "there are some customers who are having problems.. and i apologize to them.'

10:45: as far as investors go, we want investors who are in apple for the long haul. so for those investors who bought some stock and the price is down $5, I have no apology

Thanks for pointing out that you don't have any idea what you're talking about.

It's not something that's no more complicated than a rubber band. It is made up of multiple components made of different materials and manufactured to much tighter tolerances than most rubber bands. It is difficult to make rubber materials to these tolerances.

My point is... I never needed a case on my iPhone 3G or original iPhone and I could hold it any way I wanted and data never stopped working. I can hold my iPhone 3G as tight as I want in my "low signal" area and it doesn't drop my call and it doesn't stop my data from working. Yes, the bars go down a little bit, but never has it cut my data off or stopped a call. If I need a case for my iPhone 4 to behave the same way, then I feel like I *need* an accessory (ugly one) to make my phone work... that's crap.

A case is not a solution. Not for me anyway.

My iPhone 3G is working great. I don't need to be careful how I hold it.

One more thing... if it was a problem with all previous iPhones, how come nobody was complaining about the bars dropping and data stopping when holding previous generation iPhones?

He didn't say that! If you have been following these threads, you would know that the haters are those who don't have the iPhone 4, or those who do and don't have an issue, and were looking for a freebie.


The first shipments were June 23-24. Today is July 16. It looks to me as if there are 8 days left.

Also, it is unclear, but Steve may have verbally extended the offer to 30 days from today-- we won't know until we see a transcript or video of the press meeting,

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Gosh guys.. that was a sarcastic remark. Open your eyes! There is no real queue. It's just a sarcastic remark against some people out here.

Ah, logic!

I hope you aren't implying that I ever said attenuation doesn't occur when you block RF or that no iPhones had any issues.

I'm pretty sure if you go in and ask for the bumper, you'll get one. Same for returns.

I was ready to buy the iPhone 4, but then this antenna issue came up. So i waited. I was also waiting for the WHITE model to become available too and I was glad I waited.

Personally, I think this press conference did some good with me. I think they are still hiding behind the whole "every phone has this problem" excuse and if they would have insulated the antenna more, then this wouldn't be a problem. I have the iP3g and tried to hold it the way they do on the APPLE website shows (http://www.apple.com/antenna/) and have not been able to replicate the problem. However, I do appreciate the response from Apple.

I've been saying on this blog that they're (Apple) not stupid, they are probably looking into a fix. And I have also said if so many people are disappointed, the only way to force a response is to return in mass droves. As we've read in the press conference, they track returns and Warranty Calls (AppleCare). If more people had just up and returned their phones, Apple might have responded quicker. But, like many people (as do I) they just bitch and moan on a blog and never contact the proper resources when you have a problem.

Had i have purchased a iP4, I would take the free bumper, but would still be a bit unsatisfied with the fix. I hate cases, they don't work well in pants, unless they are slick plastic. I had an INCase for my ipod classic and hated it. Plus it takes away from the beauty of the Apple design. So i would have taken it, but I would not have been happy about it. I understand that this issue probably affects (i'm guessing here) maybe as much as 10% of users, and a recall would have been way too costly. so I might have returned the phone and waited for a next Gen model. My iP3g works great with the iOS4 update and, besides battery life, the iOS4 has everything I need out of my phone. The new features, like the forward camera, improved 5 megapixel camera, Hi-Res display and the above mentioned battery life are all things that are a nice to have but not a need to have. Plus, I just got laid off yesterday so I have no plans to purchase anything unecessary for the time being.

It was not identified as sarcasm, rather it appeared as a criticism of some, here, who feel the issue is overhyped.

Many posters here, me included, will use sarcasm to poke fun-- if there is a controversial issue being discussed, most will identify it as such, with a smiley or a /sarcasm tag.

Just what did the post contribute to the issue being discussed?

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If you bought your iPhone from a private party, not sure Apple will be able to help you.

I simply expect them to come out of their denial.

+++ qft

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Antennas are tuned to desired wavelenghts by their physical dimensions. The location of the separator was surely driven in part by that physical requirement. It's certainly not for aesthetic reasons. It's like a little blemish, which is why people immediately started "picking at it".

Quote:
Originally Posted by Park Seward
Thanks for the info. But I don't see how you could get a real price without bidding an REQ with a complete list of materials. I haven't examined the bumpers but it seems more complicated than just a rubber band.


No, I have no idea what the dock price of a bumper is. And neither do you.

If I read your comment correctly, we are in agreement.

I am going to come to Sol's defense! I have participated in many discussions with him-- often disagreed with him. But I never felt him unwilling to consider a well-presented reasoned point of view/opinion.

I think we all get tired when the discussions become infested with those with agendas not related to the topic.

I don't recall Sol telling anyone to STFU-- that's not his style. He may not have responded (when, or in the way you want) to posters who told others to STFU... But we're all guilty of that-- sometimes you just choose not to go there.


I think that anyone who wants to evaluate Sol, can click on his alias and read his many posts.

I think you will find little to criticize in the content or civility of his posts.

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I got it from Macworld's live blog. He may not have caught every sentence because i didn't read what you just quoted anywhere.

SJ said AT&T is reporting 1% more dropped calls with the 4 vs the GS. I don't know why nobody was complaining.

I got it from:

Liveblog: Apple iPhone 4 Press Conference
By Ars Staff

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/20...conference.ars

That's not what I was getting at but ok, let me rephrase:

I don't think the free cases should go to anyone who previously claimed that they never had signal degradation issues, or were affected by increased dropped calls with Iphone 4. If I recall, you have been adamant that your unit has been free of these issues, and further, called into question numerous times, the validity of those who have stated the contrary. This is't a personal attack, just my opinion.

Saying "it happens on all phones" is a pretty vague statement because it does not address exactly how the phone is held. It is one thing to have the issue when a phone is held with the hand in an unnatural, contorted position that people have to struggle in order to achieve. It is quite another if the issue appears when a phone is held in a way that most people typically hold a phone. Did Apple's antenna design, or their comparisons in today's conference take this into account?

But at least Steve did say:

"We will continue to work on more advanced antenna designs that don’t have this problem or put this problem in an out of the way place."

http://www.macnn.com/live/#ixzz0tse5viAH

"And when those revised phones are available, owners of the current design should have the option to return their phone for a free upgrade."


I don't think that what you suggest is reasonable:

So, in the next 2-11 months from now (when/if an upgrade is made) anyone who wants should get a free replacement for his iP4?

If Apple had that exposure what would be their incentive to do a redesign before the next iPhone?

Why should you, or anyone, expect to buy a new car, phone, refrigerator, etc, use if for a period of time (inducing wear and tear), then feel entitled to a replacement when a new design/feature was added?


Sorry, I just don't understand that mentality!


You have a choice:

1) if you have already bought the iPhone 4 return it or encase it (free)-- those are the options on the table

2) if you have not bought an iPhone-- see it for what it is, and decide to buy or not.


Or, if you are interested, I will lease you an iPhone 4, with an upgrade option (up to, but not including iPhone 5), for, say, $290 up front, and $90 a month for 11 months (off the top of my head).

Something like that would be more practical and a more sound business proposition that what you are asking of Apple.

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Wooo Hoooo! Apple's giving me a $29 refund. That's more than any other tech company has done for me. Woot!

That sounds like a well thought out and reasoned decision-- presented factually and with little embellishment.

I enjoy and learn from a post such as yours-- one of the reasons I visit these threads.

Thanks!

Here's a picture from the Apple website showing the grip that gives problems with the iPhone 4. It doesn't look very natural to me.

Yeah, that's crazy talk. I don't think he's here for a genuine, honest discussion, though.

I have 0 issues, but understand that others do.

I apologize! I overreacted to your post!

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Maybe it is no longer the problem, in this case, the iPhone 4 antenna, that is the actual problem. Maybe, it is how we communicate the problems we encounter, especially in the internet age.

There is a sense of proportion. A 0.01% is still a lot of people having problems, if we talk about more than 3 million iPhones already sold -- even if 99.9% of those more than 3million have no problems, or can overlook the problem, or find a workaround the problem, or trust Apple that they recognize the problem and are working on it.

The second problem arises if those 0.01% assumes that their problem (or what they perceive to be a fatal flaw), is also everyone's problem. We know from the real world (myself include) are more vocal than those who do not problem. And, 0.01% of more than 3 million can raise a lot of decibles.

The next problem arises when bloggers and mass media, exploit the issue to further their own goals, not really to find the truth or solution to the problem. As a result, the term "it goes viral" was coined, to refer to situations where something is believed to be a fact, or at least perceived to be a fact, whether it is true or not, simply because of "infinite" repetition.

This is not to say that Apple has not made a mistake, in this whole mess.

From my own experience, I would trust Apple than Microsoft, Google, or some other company to foind their way around this situation.

Just for the record, I have "tried/used" various iPhones (including the latest), but never owned one, simply because I do not want to be saddled with the high monthly cost. Also, what I do most also would require a larger screen; the iPad for mobile would be more suited for what I need, it is just not there yet, but I might be forced to get an iPad prematurely because of a project we wanted to do the next few months.

CGC

No, I do not have an issue with my iPhone going from 5 bars to No Service from touching the "3G-Spot".

No, I have not said those with an issue are lying. In fact, I come to the defense of those with issues to thosebto the other extreme Jo stated the problem doesn't exist. I used the circumstantial evidence of a comparably excessive number of posters atatingbthey had the issue, as well as well known tech writers, testers and bloggers. I later stated that I've seen the issue happen and did direct comparisons with my phone.

I've also tried to ease the fear and distress by informing iPhone 4 buyers who arent happy with their purchase that they can return it within 30-days risk free (at least in the US). This was well before Apple officially reminded everyone of this fact.

I will buy cases as they serve several purposes, the least of which is to limit signal attenuation. Note that cellphone cases existed long before the iPhone 4.

PS: I still don't have the problem as I write this with only one EDGE bar on version 4.0.1.

Emphasis mine.

AppleCare may be just a convenient way to categorize the 0.55% reporting issues. It is my understanding that the iPhone comes with a 30-90 day warranty (I couldn't find the actual number quickly). AppleCare takes effect after the warranty expires (even though purchased at the same time as the phone).

Since no iPhone 4s have gone beyond the warranty period, I think that Apple is reporting warranty issues as AppleCare issues.

For all I know, Apple may account for them under a single entry!

So, I suspect that the 0.55% is the number of issues reported out of the Total Population of iPhone 4s sold!

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That's exactly correct. And the return rates prove that pretty much everybody loves their iPhone.

0.55% is probably higher than what they see at the Apple Stores. So they reported the highest percentage they had - and it is still very few iPhone owners.

Many more people are happy with the iPhone 4 compared to the 3GS, going by return rates, and the 3GS is the second best phone in the world (second only to the iP4).

So the low return rates prove that hardly anybody doesn't like the iPhone 4.