HTC echoes Apple in defense of HD7 'death grip' issue
Using language reminiscent of Apple's stance on the iPhone 4 antenna problem, Taiwanese handset maker HTC issued a statement Thursday defending its Windows Phone 7 HD7 smartphone from criticisms that it suffers from weakened signal strength when gripped.
HTC published the statement in response to YouTube videos that depict the newly released HD7 handset losing signal strength when gripped, Computer Weekly reports.
"Quality in industrial design is of key importance to HTC. To ensure the best possible signal strength, antennas are placed in the area least likely to be covered by a person's face or hands while the phone is in use," the statement read.
"However, it is inevitable that a phone's signal strength will weaken a little when covered in its entirety by a user's palm or fingers. We test all of our phones extensively and are confident that under normal circumstances reception strength and performance will be more than sufficient for the operation of the phone when network coverage is also adequate," the statement continued.
Apple found itself the center of a similar controversy this summer after the media picked up reports that the iPhone 4 suffered from a loss of reception when held at the bottom left corner. Dubbed "Antennagate," the controversy came to a head when Consumer Reports rescinded its recommendation of the iPhone 4.
During a July press conference addressing the issue, Apple CEO Steve Jobs called the issue "a challenge for the entire industry," saying that "every phone has weak spots." Jobs then highlighted handsets from other companies, including HTC, that also experience similar antenna issues.
Apple subsequently added a new section to its website, informing consumers of potential signal loss on the iPhone 4. In addition to the iPhone, smartphones from several other makers were highlighted as well, though the references to competitors' phones were eventually removed.
HTC quickly responded, objecting to being specifically called out by Jobs. "The reception problems are certainly not common among smartphones," said HTC Chief Financial Officer Hui-Meng Cheng.
HTC published the statement in response to YouTube videos that depict the newly released HD7 handset losing signal strength when gripped, Computer Weekly reports.
"Quality in industrial design is of key importance to HTC. To ensure the best possible signal strength, antennas are placed in the area least likely to be covered by a person's face or hands while the phone is in use," the statement read.
"However, it is inevitable that a phone's signal strength will weaken a little when covered in its entirety by a user's palm or fingers. We test all of our phones extensively and are confident that under normal circumstances reception strength and performance will be more than sufficient for the operation of the phone when network coverage is also adequate," the statement continued.
Apple found itself the center of a similar controversy this summer after the media picked up reports that the iPhone 4 suffered from a loss of reception when held at the bottom left corner. Dubbed "Antennagate," the controversy came to a head when Consumer Reports rescinded its recommendation of the iPhone 4.
During a July press conference addressing the issue, Apple CEO Steve Jobs called the issue "a challenge for the entire industry," saying that "every phone has weak spots." Jobs then highlighted handsets from other companies, including HTC, that also experience similar antenna issues.
Apple subsequently added a new section to its website, informing consumers of potential signal loss on the iPhone 4. In addition to the iPhone, smartphones from several other makers were highlighted as well, though the references to competitors' phones were eventually removed.
HTC quickly responded, objecting to being specifically called out by Jobs. "The reception problems are certainly not common among smartphones," said HTC Chief Financial Officer Hui-Meng Cheng.
Comments
HTC quickly responded, objecting to being specifically called out by Jobs. "The reception problems are certainly not common among smartphones," said HTC Chief Financial Officer Hui-Meng Cheng.
Whoops...
Waiting for the media hurricane on this - not going to hold my breath, though.
Not a huge deal just like I think the Apple thing was overblown. I doubt the media will catch onto this and blow it up big like they did with the Apple problems though.
That's because hating HTC isn't cool.
Where's the dipshit analysts screaming, "ZOMG inevitable massive recall will cost HTC $1.5T!" like they did Apple?
Two reasons why no screaming 1. HTC hasn't sold many and 2. They can easily fix the problem with a refreshed model.
network coverage is also adequate," the statement continued.
Very important phrase. It even appeared in the infamous anti-iPhone Consumer Reports article. As with the iPhone 4, the real issue is that your carrier's service blows giant chunks. Not that something is seriously wrong with the design of the device
Good example of the strength of herds of animals, flocks of birds, or schools of fish. One goes down and the rest just go on. Apple, being a singular product, stumbles and the world holds its breath. HTC gets taken down by wolves and the other 'droids hardly notice. Nor, more importantly, do the customers.
Interesting. So then do you see Android as having the more robust ecosystem, given the genetic diversity?
Wow, HTC went as far as saying that their phones reception is not affected by how you hold their phones. Now HTC is defending their Death Grip issue. What a turn of events.
Perhaps it's time for HTC to give out free cases like Apple did or are they too cheap.
Competion always looks to put salt on the wounds. SHAME ON HTC!!
What goes around comes around.....and gets bitten real hard.
Cheers