Matt Spangard
∞
Insider Points
|
Hey Guys,
Anybody who knows me knows that I’m always the first guy in the office to get the latest gadget. So naturally, I was waiting for the FedEx guy this morning to deliver my new iPhone 4. First off, the thing is awesome. Followed by horrible. I sat there watching the signal dwindle down to nothing before my eyes. I took it to work and compared it to a co-workers iPhone 3G and while he had a full signal, I had none.
I took matters into my own hands (literally) and did a little research and found out that I could control my iPhone 4 signal from no service to a full five bars. I’ve called Apple and they didn’t have any record of this issue but I can make it happen over and over, with complete control. I’m wondering if anybody else out there has an iPhone 4 and can confirm what I’ve discovered. They want to send me a new iPhone 4 and I’d hate for them to do that if it turns out this is a universal design flaw.
So, if you have one, hold the phone in such a way that your hand or finger connects the left metal edge with the bottom metal edge. You’re essentially “jumping” the circuit and connecting the left external antenna (it’s the one that delivers 3G service) with whatever is on the bottom of the phone. If you do that and hold it for a few seconds, you should see your signal go from good to terrible to no service in about 15 seconds.
For reference, check out the photos on Apple’s site: http://www.apple.com/iphone/gallery/
Basically, just put your finger over that little black bar on the bottom left edge and watch your service die.
Can anybody else reproduce it?
If this is a universal design flaw, it could be fixed by issuing everybody those rubber bumpers that they’re selling for $29.
|
Sir Edward
|
Matt wrote: “…They sent me a replacement overnight but it still has the same problem. I also convinced them to send me one of those bumpers which will end up fixing the problem for me enough that I’m satisfied.”
|
Mr. Ed
123,750
Insider Points
|
Matt they say they will compensate for those cases bought before they decided to add them for free so get that bumper refund…
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ytech_gadg/ytech_gadg_t...
|
Sir Edward
|
|
Matt Spangard
∞
Insider Points
|
Three choices:
1) Jailbreak it and switch to T-Mobile
2) Buy AT&T’s microcel tower, essentially paying them to help fix their network
3) Go to the Apple store and buy a iPhone 4 (when you’re not shorting the antenna, it’s definitely an excellent (and much better) signal
|
Margaret Pryor
277,500
Insider Points
|
Don’t have an iPhone 4, but would love to know if you have any tips on getting a better signal for the 3GS!
|
Matt Spangard
∞
Insider Points
|
I saw that not too soon after posting. That’s how he rolls. Other than that tragic flaw, it is a great phone. They sent me a replacement overnight but it still has the same problem. I also convinced them to send me one of those bumpers which will end up fixing the problem for me enough that I’m satisfied.
|
kevin da biskit
142,750
Insider Points
|
Hi Matt,
Funny you had that guesstimate of Steve’s response. I turned on the noon news (ABC7) here in Chicago, and they had a special “tech” segment about the problem you have experienced. Apparently , it’s viral now, but they reporter had some quote that someone emailed Steve and his response was “There’s no design flaw, you’re just holding it wrong.”
Happy Friday!
|
Matt Spangard
∞
Insider Points
|
Ever seen Steve’s emails? His response would look more like this:
Nothing wrong with the iPhone. Using it right now.
- Steve
Sent from my iPhone
|
Sir Edward
|
“If this is a universal design flaw, it could be fixed by issuing everybody those rubber bumpers that they’re selling for $29.”
"I assure you, Mr. Spangard, this is not a “universal design flaw” on our part! You used the word “issuing”…Are you actually suggesting we GIVE away, WITHOUT charge…FREE, these two-tone iPhone 4 bumpers in an effort to perhaps resolve this unsubstantiated assertion of a “universal design flaw”??? We can, we do sell these as a separate optional accessory at $29.00 a pop, as you mentioned…So, I think not!?
Please understand, the stainless steel outer frame functions as the antenna, so, perhaps YOU grounded yourself somehow and caused the signal disruption you experienced….You don’t have a metal plate in your head, do you?!
Tell you what, Matt, I’ll personally call down to shipping and have them send you all six colors of our iPhone 4 bumpers, at no additional cost to you…Whataya say? No more writing about this connectivity issue…K, big guy?! I’m confident we can resolve this matter, without publicly discussing it…Thank so much!"
|
Penster .
205,500
Insider Points
|
|
Matt Spangard
∞
Insider Points
|
Thanks Penny… I think ;-)
|
Matt Spangard
∞
Insider Points
|
It looks like they’re on to it a little bit at MobileCrunch: http://www.mobilecrunch.com/2010/06/23/receptio...
They haven’t figured out that it happens when you connect the left antenna with the bottom but I’m sure they will soon.
The big question is: does this happen with all iPhone 4s or is it a defective batch?
|
Penster .
205,500
Insider Points
|
Matt:
It must be your “magnetic” personality – touch!
|
