Apple says just 0.55% of iPhone owners have reported antenna problems
Just 0.55 percent of all iPhone owners have called AppleCare with an antenna issue, and the return rate for the iPhone 4 has been 1.7 percent -- much less than the 6 percent seen with last year's iPhone 3GS, Apple said Friday.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs hosted Friday's event, and said that Apple has known about the antenna issue for the last 22 days. He said that the company has been working hard to address the issue since it first learned of it. "We've been working our butts off," he said.
"You know, we're not perfect," Jobs said, according to Macworld. "And phones aren't perfect either. But we want to make all of our users happy. And if you don't know that about Apple, you don't know Apple."
Jobs even offered a glimpse inside of Apple's secretive labs, showing a massive shielded room where the company tests its phones. Jobs said that Apple has 17 anechoic chambers, a $100 million investment. They also have 18 PhD scientists and engineers on their staff.
He also suggested the issue is not a major problem with iPhone 4 owners, noting that just 0.55 percent of all iPhone customers have called AppleCare with an antenna issue.
He also highlighted that other phones experience similar issues, including the BlackBerry Bold 9700 from Research in Motion, Samsung Omnia II, and the HTC Droid Eris. Clips of the phones losing reception when held improperly were shown.
"It's a challenge for the entire industry, and we're doing the best we can, but every phone has weak spots," he said.
Jobs also noted that on Thursday, Apple released iOS 4.0.1 for the iPhone, which improved the accuracy of the handset's display of signal strength. The cosmetic change did not, however, improve the reception with the phone, but rather changed how it reports the available reception.
The event kicked off by showing the "iPhone 4 Antenna Song," a YouTube clip that has garnered interest this week. The song parodies the iPhone 4 antenna problems, and suggests that the media has blown the issue out of proportion.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs hosted Friday's event, and said that Apple has known about the antenna issue for the last 22 days. He said that the company has been working hard to address the issue since it first learned of it. "We've been working our butts off," he said.
"You know, we're not perfect," Jobs said, according to Macworld. "And phones aren't perfect either. But we want to make all of our users happy. And if you don't know that about Apple, you don't know Apple."
Jobs even offered a glimpse inside of Apple's secretive labs, showing a massive shielded room where the company tests its phones. Jobs said that Apple has 17 anechoic chambers, a $100 million investment. They also have 18 PhD scientists and engineers on their staff.
He also suggested the issue is not a major problem with iPhone 4 owners, noting that just 0.55 percent of all iPhone customers have called AppleCare with an antenna issue.
He also highlighted that other phones experience similar issues, including the BlackBerry Bold 9700 from Research in Motion, Samsung Omnia II, and the HTC Droid Eris. Clips of the phones losing reception when held improperly were shown.
"It's a challenge for the entire industry, and we're doing the best we can, but every phone has weak spots," he said.
Jobs also noted that on Thursday, Apple released iOS 4.0.1 for the iPhone, which improved the accuracy of the handset's display of signal strength. The cosmetic change did not, however, improve the reception with the phone, but rather changed how it reports the available reception.
The event kicked off by showing the "iPhone 4 Antenna Song," a YouTube clip that has garnered interest this week. The song parodies the iPhone 4 antenna problems, and suggests that the media has blown the issue out of proportion.
Comments
Yes, if you cup and death squeeze a phone you'll get signal drop. On the iPhone 4 all you need to do is rest your finger on the spot, no grip, no cupping nothing.
So far, the tone of the conference is that there is no problem and we're all idiots if we think there are. This will not do Apple's PR any good.
Yes, if you cup and death squeeze a phone you'll get signal drop. On the iPhone 4 all you need to do is rest your finger on the spot, no grip, no cupping nothing.
Actually, you are only an idiot if you don't return the phone when you are experiencing this problem.
The 0.55% call rate is silly. Most people with the problem are probably aware of the situation and have either remedied on their own, or waiting to see what Apple is going to do about it. No sense calling a help line when the whole world knows about the problem and Apple's official response is still pending. So, mention of the 0.55% call rate is silly.
So far, the tone of the conference is that there is no problem and we're all idiots if we think there are. This will not do Apple's PR any good.
Yes, if you cup and death squeeze a phone you'll get signal drop. On the iPhone 4 all you need to do is rest your finger on the spot, no grip, no cupping nothing.
I have a 3GS, is it so hard to avoid the seam on your IP4?
So far, the tone of the conference is that there is no problem and we're all idiots if we think there are. This will not do Apple's PR any good.
Yes, if you cup and death squeeze a phone you'll get signal drop. On the iPhone 4 all you need to do is rest your finger on the spot, no grip, no cupping nothing.
What Apple forgot to include is the percent of idiots that complained, but doesn't and will never own an iPhone 4.
Actually, you are only an idiot if you don't return the phone when you are experiencing this problem.
According to Jobs, what would be the point, every smartphone is exactly the same way?
I am wondering why we did not get this burst when the Bold was released.
The conference seems to have altered it's tone in a positive way. I would have started out with this before launching into why there really is no problem.
Hard to argue with a 0.55% complaint rate, unless of course you assume that Apple is lying. Which, no doubt, some will.
To be honest, how many of you guys have called up a tech company for support? I normally go to forums for immediate help. Usually, it's the complete tech newbs that call 800 numbers.
What they forgot is to put the percent of idiots that complained, but doesn't and will never own an iPhone 4
Own one, am posting from it and love it. With a case it's great. Without it's often useless. I always have a case anyway.
Ok, waiting for the meat of this.
The 0.55% call rate is silly. Most people with the problem are probably aware of the situation and have either remedied on their own, or waiting to see what Apple is going to do about it. No sense calling a help line when the whole world knows about the problem and Apple's official response is still pending. So, mention of the 0.55% call rate is silly.
Exactly. I know I have the problem myself, but I haven't called in about it.
To be honest, how many of you guys have called up a tech company for support? I normally go to forums for immediate help. Usually, it's the complete tech newbs that call 800 numbers.
Whoa, try calling Dell-Hell for support, let alone Google. Wait, google doesn't offer phone support, i forgot.
I have a 3GS, is it so hard to avoid the seam on your IP4?
Yes. I'm right handed and always hold the iPhone 4 with my right hand. My pinky finger always bridges the gap between the two antennas. Yes, I could manage to remove my pinky from the iPhone 4 and point it straight up like I'm drinking a cup of tea, but I won't.
But now Steve has sent a clear message that I should call their AppleCare line as soon as I notice any little problem no matter what.
Sigh, I'd better hold the phone 'correctly' or else my call might get dropped as I wait on hold...
To be honest, how many of you guys have called up a tech company for support? I normally go to forums for immediate help. Usually, it's the complete tech newbs that call 800 numbers.
First I'll go to the internent to see if there is a quick solution, but if I have to I'll go to the 1-800 number. I went to the 1-800 number when my Xbox 360 RRODed.
So I'll be sticking with the new 3Gs. Looking forward to the iP5 when it appears next year.
According to Jobs, what would be the point, every smartphone is exactly the same way?
I am wondering why we did not get this burst when the Bold was released.
The conference seems to have altered it's tone in a positive way. I would have started out with this before launching into why there really is no problem.
If you aren't happy with the phone, return it. Period. I'm willing to buy a product from anybody who has a return policy like that. Seems like some people feel entitled to have a phone that is perfect, or Steve Jobs should go to jail.