Even though this antenna thing pisses me off, Schumer needs to STFU.
He doesn't need to shut up, he needs to stop listening to the media. He's referencing a totally non sound 'study' of 3 units that has been called into question by several engineers as proof that there's anything wrong with the phone. Despite Consumer Reports saying 'in areas of weak reception'. Well yeah if your service is crap, mildly shorting the antennas is going to cause problems, does it with all phones.
Find me some real data. Find me stats on the exact number of phones bought and returned for reception issues in areas with outstanding ATT coverage. Find me a team of engineering PhDs that specialize in cell phone tech with at least 10 years experience each, who randomly sampled a statistically sound number of units, purchased from across the country, under conditions that prove without a doubt that the issues are all in the phone. Show me the thousands of reports from outside the US of the exact same issues no matter the carrier. Etc
Apple is getting a bundle of negative press and now that they are fairly large, ie msft, this issue will be pressed until either a recall or free bumper until rev 2 resolves these issues.
This whole thing is outrageous! There is NO problem with the iPhone 4! If I do a "death grip" on my 3Gs I can drop a couple of bars as well! Why isn't anyone complaining about that phone?!
As for Scumer, the way I spell his name says it all...
How is BP's "private sector problem" being worked out by the private sector? All you non-government types do a 180 and criticize the government for not responding the second the private sector fails to work out its own problems. Make up your f---ing mind.
Sincerely,
Thinking Americans
How about, when the private sector destroys an entire ecosystem or endangers the health and safety of citizens or attempts to swindle consumers, people are ok with them getting involved. But if the private sector sells a consumer electronics luxury device that has a serious and annoying issue but is hardly a catastrophic problem, the people would prefer their representatives deal with real concerns.
Seriously, you would make the case for government intervention by comparing BP's disaster to Apple's antenna issue? really?
I don't think 'Think Americans' would appreciate you writing on their behalf with that type of reasoning. Fairly certain of it.
Well, if Sen. Schumer wants to get involved in something for the benefit of consumers, he should address the bait and switch by AT&T on the iPad data plans.
There are some doubts about this whole 'bait and switch' issue including the whole "Apple knew they were going to do it and went ahead with the announcement of the unlimited one" stuff. And the issue of whether the TC says the prices can be changed at any point. But really that's neither here nor there since there are lawsuits etc that are covering it.
if he wanted to help his peoples, how about moving to have the laws that allow the tying of cell phones to one carrier dropped. How about investigating the whole test messaging price issue. How about the not so little detail that I"m allegedly paying 1/24th of that $400 back every month and yet I don't get credit for the full amount and I"m still paying that amount after my contract is up (but i'm using the same phone) or if I bring my own phone to the service.
I'd like to see Steve's response to this. He makes some valid points. We shouldn't have to buy accessories to make the iPhone work.
His points are very valid, IMO. But, I disagree with him becoming involved. Certainly, this issue doesn't meet the requirements for a government rep to personally become involved in, does it? If this problem was being reported about the EVO or pre, do you think he would be writing HTC or Palm/HP an open letter?
What's next, Bono holding an iPhone-Aid concert and Sean Penn flying into to Cupertino for a photo op with the 'victims' in front of 1 Infinite Loop? Maybe Rush Limbaugh can be drafted to support the opposing view. But, at least these are all private individuals and not using their position as government officials to promote their causes.
I am fine with this issue being overly discussed here in Appleland. Fans and critics have strong feelings about Apple and that is one of the reasons forums like this are great. We nobodies can debate and argue about Apple and their products and policies forever. But, this is getting way out of hand. It is at worst a design/manufacturing flaw that ends up impacting a very small percentage of customers. The customers are able to return it or work around it. We, as customers, can push Apple to respond and act appropriately to this issue.
Funny. I don't see the big deal with him writing this letter. It's not like it takes a long time to write this.
Besides, it was most likely written by a staffer and shoved in front of him only for his approval & signature. Total time likely invested by the Senator himself: less than a minute.
I don't really have an issue with this letter at all. I do have confidence that Apple will handle major issues with their products. On the other hand I was also an iBook G4 owner who had one of their logic board failures wherein all symptoms where identical to the presenting problem, but since I was out of the serial number range, I was left out to dry. :-(
Otherwise, flaming batteries, flaky hard drive, MacBook top case, iPhone power adapter, and so on, have all been handled quickly and smoothly. Even so, I agree that the explanations so far of bar strength, holding position, and case usage are not cool. Yes, people should be able to use a bare phone as a damned phone. To make excuses for it any other way is just stupid, this coming from an iPhone 4 owner who bought a case to protect the product. I used my 3G without a case until the upgrade and users should not have to accessorize to make this sort of product fully functional.
Are there more important issues in the world? Absolutely. Am I happy that someone with some weight behind them spoke up? Yes. Is it part of a senator's job to advocate for consumer protections. Are you a moron?-Yes of course it is. It will only be to the benefit of Apple and consumers if this issue is addressed sooner rather than later.
Otherwise, perhaps the govt can get a disclaimer put on the packaging and ads:
"Using this device while held in hand may make this handheld device unable to function as a phone or data capable device." lol ;-)
I just wonder how a private letter from an individual to a company came into the public domain. I'm sure Apple didn't release it. Could it be that the right honorable gentleman is doing a little grandstanding?
How is a letter from a US Senator sent as part of his official duties in support of his constituents a private letter? As the article clearly states, he issued an "open letter" to Apple, which means he specifically released it to the public. Chances are you can find it on his own official website if you bother to look.
if the press release is true, schumer should watch his actions.
all he needs to do is get a girlfriend and then he will step compltely into eliot spitzer territory. schumer has already crossed the press release threshold.
While I may agree with him about the antenna issue and politics, most NY people already know that Schumer is a media whore. Even worse than the typical politician.
To those who say the government didn't really need to get involved I would have to agree in this case. There was already publicity, technical diagnosis in the media and a press conference scheduled.
Dear Government: Get the fuck out of....EVERYTHING. This has nothing to do with you. Go away. Seriously...just leave us alone. By us, I mean everyone: Individuals, corporations, small animals, potential extra-terrestrials...everyone.
You don't think this particular issue falls far short of the mark, in terms of interests that he should be looking after? It smacks more of someone trying to get in on some of the attention being generated here.
Schumer has always been very active on consumer issues, so it's entirely in line with his normal activity as a Senator.
Comments
No but it is all about politicians/government telling businesses what they can/can't/should/shouldn't do.
(General Motors, AIG)
THINK for yourself instead of puking up what you hear on the 5 o'clock news every night. Add some common fucking sense into your diet.
Shumer is doing his JOB. Party affiliation aside. Too difficult for everyone?
Even though this antenna thing pisses me off, Schumer needs to STFU.
He doesn't need to shut up, he needs to stop listening to the media. He's referencing a totally non sound 'study' of 3 units that has been called into question by several engineers as proof that there's anything wrong with the phone. Despite Consumer Reports saying 'in areas of weak reception'. Well yeah if your service is crap, mildly shorting the antennas is going to cause problems, does it with all phones.
Find me some real data. Find me stats on the exact number of phones bought and returned for reception issues in areas with outstanding ATT coverage. Find me a team of engineering PhDs that specialize in cell phone tech with at least 10 years experience each, who randomly sampled a statistically sound number of units, purchased from across the country, under conditions that prove without a doubt that the issues are all in the phone. Show me the thousands of reports from outside the US of the exact same issues no matter the carrier. Etc
When Schumer can do that, he can talk.
Thanks much,
A New Yorker/iPhone 4 owner
This is NOT going away.
Apple is getting a bundle of negative press and now that they are fairly large, ie msft, this issue will be pressed until either a recall or free bumper until rev 2 resolves these issues.
This whole thing is outrageous! There is NO problem with the iPhone 4! If I do a "death grip" on my 3Gs I can drop a couple of bars as well! Why isn't anyone complaining about that phone?!
As for Scumer, the way I spell his name says it all...
Dear noexpectations:
How is BP's "private sector problem" being worked out by the private sector? All you non-government types do a 180 and criticize the government for not responding the second the private sector fails to work out its own problems. Make up your f---ing mind.
Sincerely,
Thinking Americans
How about, when the private sector destroys an entire ecosystem or endangers the health and safety of citizens or attempts to swindle consumers, people are ok with them getting involved. But if the private sector sells a consumer electronics luxury device that has a serious and annoying issue but is hardly a catastrophic problem, the people would prefer their representatives deal with real concerns.
Seriously, you would make the case for government intervention by comparing BP's disaster to Apple's antenna issue? really?
I don't think 'Think Americans' would appreciate you writing on their behalf with that type of reasoning. Fairly certain of it.
Well, if Sen. Schumer wants to get involved in something for the benefit of consumers, he should address the bait and switch by AT&T on the iPad data plans.
There are some doubts about this whole 'bait and switch' issue including the whole "Apple knew they were going to do it and went ahead with the announcement of the unlimited one" stuff. And the issue of whether the TC says the prices can be changed at any point. But really that's neither here nor there since there are lawsuits etc that are covering it.
if he wanted to help his peoples, how about moving to have the laws that allow the tying of cell phones to one carrier dropped. How about investigating the whole test messaging price issue. How about the not so little detail that I"m allegedly paying 1/24th of that $400 back every month and yet I don't get credit for the full amount and I"m still paying that amount after my contract is up (but i'm using the same phone) or if I bring my own phone to the service.
I'd like to see Steve's response to this. He makes some valid points. We shouldn't have to buy accessories to make the iPhone work.
His points are very valid, IMO. But, I disagree with him becoming involved. Certainly, this issue doesn't meet the requirements for a government rep to personally become involved in, does it? If this problem was being reported about the EVO or pre, do you think he would be writing HTC or Palm/HP an open letter?
What's next, Bono holding an iPhone-Aid concert and Sean Penn flying into to Cupertino for a photo op with the 'victims' in front of 1 Infinite Loop? Maybe Rush Limbaugh can be drafted to support the opposing view. But, at least these are all private individuals and not using their position as government officials to promote their causes.
I am fine with this issue being overly discussed here in Appleland. Fans and critics have strong feelings about Apple and that is one of the reasons forums like this are great. We nobodies can debate and argue about Apple and their products and policies forever. But, this is getting way out of hand. It is at worst a design/manufacturing flaw that ends up impacting a very small percentage of customers. The customers are able to return it or work around it. We, as customers, can push Apple to respond and act appropriately to this issue.
Funny. I don't see the big deal with him writing this letter. It's not like it takes a long time to write this.
Besides, it was most likely written by a staffer and shoved in front of him only for his approval & signature. Total time likely invested by the Senator himself: less than a minute.
Otherwise, flaming batteries, flaky hard drive, MacBook top case, iPhone power adapter, and so on, have all been handled quickly and smoothly. Even so, I agree that the explanations so far of bar strength, holding position, and case usage are not cool. Yes, people should be able to use a bare phone as a damned phone. To make excuses for it any other way is just stupid, this coming from an iPhone 4 owner who bought a case to protect the product. I used my 3G without a case until the upgrade and users should not have to accessorize to make this sort of product fully functional.
Are there more important issues in the world? Absolutely. Am I happy that someone with some weight behind them spoke up? Yes. Is it part of a senator's job to advocate for consumer protections. Are you a moron?-Yes of course it is. It will only be to the benefit of Apple and consumers if this issue is addressed sooner rather than later.
Otherwise, perhaps the govt can get a disclaimer put on the packaging and ads:
"Using this device while held in hand may make this handheld device unable to function as a phone or data capable device." lol ;-)
apple dropped calls for 2 weeks = A letter??????
Are u kidding me????????????????
If he wants to protect us he needs to take ATT to town!
And make them refund some of the money i have paid them over the years.
I get 4-5 dropped calls EVERY DAY!!!!!!!
Thats murder!
A friend of mine with tmobile doesn't even know what a dropped call is
I just wonder how a private letter from an individual to a company came into the public domain. I'm sure Apple didn't release it. Could it be that the right honorable gentleman is doing a little grandstanding?
How is a letter from a US Senator sent as part of his official duties in support of his constituents a private letter? As the article clearly states, he issued an "open letter" to Apple, which means he specifically released it to the public. Chances are you can find it on his own official website if you bother to look.
all he needs to do is get a girlfriend and then he will step compltely into eliot spitzer territory. schumer has already crossed the press release threshold.
The iPhone case seems to be just a remake of the Duplicity movie
Information war is today's business secret weapon
Apple's competitors are so happy to bash the iPhone
You don't think this particular issue falls far short of the mark, in terms of interests that he should be looking after? It smacks more of someone trying to get in on some of the attention being generated here.
Schumer has always been very active on consumer issues, so it's entirely in line with his normal activity as a Senator.