maybe apple bought shares in duct tape

it is pretty brutal that they made such an amateurish mistake, then put it on the users, then flat out lied

they are selling out everywhere

Two quotes come to mind:

1) There's a sucker born every minute

and

2) A fool and his money are soon parted

Both seem quite appropriate in this instance.

If you keep your finger off a spot about 1 mm wide on the lower end of the side, or put the phone in a case or shell, then there's no reception problem.

As for not spotting the problem earlier, all of the test phones were tested in cases; when the phone is in a case there's no problem at all.

There is another problem with cases, at least not the ones from Apple. I purchased a case for my iPhone 4 after searching everywhere for one. I got a very nice case but then my phone started to freak out. When I would make a call and move the phone away from my face to end the call or use the interface for something else, the phone would lock up. I could not do anything with it.

After going to my local Apple store, I was told that the case was covering up the proximity sensor that detects when the phone is moved away from your face. Instead of showing me the regular interface, I got a blank screen. Apparently Apple moved the proximity sensor from where it was in earlier models.

The part of the case that is covering the sensor is only about 3/8" from the top of the phone but apparently that is enough to mess with the sensor.

I'm thinking that this is probably why there currently are so very few cases available from any of the big manufacturers.

incrediBILL, respected mod though you are, perhaps you should recuse yourself from this issue. Post after post of vitriol is not constructive.

Post after post of vitriol is not constructive.

It's not vitriol, it's purely an observation on how people are buying what was immediately reported a defective product and now even Consumer Reports won't recommend.

The previous iPhone's, other than being tethered to AT&T's network, had no real issues.

This product just feels rushed to the market, poorly tested, incomplete testing methodologies (always in a case?), etc. etc.

Trust me, had it not been for the iPhone 3G being AT&T only I'd own one.

However, I certainly wouldn't rush to get the iPhone 4 after hearing of all these complaints on the first day it's released which is why I commented as I did.

Who in their right mind runs out to buy something known to have multiple somewhat serious defects until the problems have been resolved?

If you want vitriol, ask me about how AT&T treated me after being a 10 year customer putting up with their spotty network from the origins of Cellular One thru AT&T sometime. It's an earful and the reason I'm now on Sprint which has no iPhone thus forcing me into Android, all AT&T's fault too, but that's another thread.

FWIW, I'm waiting to see whether iPhone gets fixed before the exclusive AT&T contract ends next year as I may consider switching to an iPhone, assuming it's actually fixed by then.

I'm in no big hurry, I can wait until the iSmoke clears ;)

assuming it's actually fixed by then

Going by previous annual releases, this time next year there will probably be the i-Phone 5 on the near horizon, or recently in the shops.

Seriously. Beyond recommending using a case, how exactly would Apple be able to 'fix' the two million items already sold. There's no way to recall the lot and rebuild each one into a new shell. It would take an army of people months to do that.

If you keep your finger off a spot about 1 mm wide on the lower end of the side

Did you ever have a small rock in your shoe? It doesn't matter how small the spot is if you cannot avoid it.

Who in their right mind runs out to buy something known to have multiple somewhat serious defects until the problems have been resolved?

Uh, that would be me ;>).

I didn't buy it for it's phone. I make maybe 2-3 calls a month with it. For me it's a computer, camera, video camera, browser, mp3 player, gps, email client, and much more that just happens to have a phone. Also, it has a stunning display, it's light and very small and the battery is much better then previous models.

All of the known defects upfront were meaningless to me. My iPhone4 is unquestionably the best toy/gadget I have ever owned.

Fair call. The talk of suckers, sheep and fools rankles me because the tech is moving forward at unprecedented pace, which benefits all of us.

to have multiple somewhat

IncrediBill, with ALL due respect, somewhat like a pair of Droids?

It's not vitriol, it's purely an observation on how people are buying what was immediately reported a defective product and now even Consumer Reports won't recommend.

They sold around 1.5 million before a review was even out. People bought the phone assuming there wouldn't be any problems at all considering this was Apple's 4th go around.

The previous iPhone's, other than being tethered to AT&T's network, had no real issues.

I know knocking AT&T is fun sport for everyone, but Verizon would have had the same problems with that much heavy traffic all at once from a data hogging phone. Sprint and TMobile would have crumbled almost instantly.

This product just feels rushed to the market, poorly tested, incomplete testing methodologies (always in a case?), etc. etc.

It has a spot on the phone that shouldn't be covered when making a call. Otherwise, they've improved on everything from the previous generation and has gotten glowing reviews.

Trust me, had it not been for the iPhone 3G being AT&T only I'd own one.

Do you live in a huge city such as NY or San Fran? If not, AT&T is just as reliable as any other carrier for a smartphone.

However, I certainly wouldn't rush to get the iPhone 4 after hearing of all these complaints on the first day it's released which is why I commented as I did.

You weren't going to get the phone no matter what due to your AT&T hatred. Don't tell me you've never bought something before reading a review on it though. And even then, the phone can be returned for your money back like most products. That's why return policies were invented.

Who in their right mind runs out to buy something known to have multiple somewhat serious defects until the problems have been resolved?

People have to ask themselves "Can I have a great phone and avoid covering a small spot in the left corner? If not, can I get a case for it?" Maybe some people don't want to wait a year and have to buy a phone they don't really want to be locked into it for two years. It's not a very hard sacrifice to make. It's a great phone with a small flaw. Even with the flaw it's arguably the best smartphone you can buy.

In the big picture though, if you don't like the phone then TAKE IT BACK. Many places have waived the return fee. TAKE IT BACK IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT.

My iPhone4 is unquestionably the best toy/gadget I have ever owned.

Fair enough, it is a fun toy and even the iPad had me tempted as it's a great toy but then again, the only 3G option was AT&T.

Similarly, I primarily use my smart phone as a computer, reader, MP3 player, navigation, and on rare occasions an actual phone call.

Biggest concern I've seen so far from the "cool toy" perspective is pictures of the results of several people casually dropping the iPhone 4 and the glass case easily shattering.

That would seriously tick me off if it happened.

The talk of suckers, sheep and fools rankles me because the tech is moving forward at unprecedented pace

Yes, but there's no call to jump on the tech just because it's new and moving forward so fast.

People vote with their wallets and that's what really bothers me is when they keep voting for faulty products.

How will the companies producing those products ever learn if people don't stop and say "WHOA! This thing has issues. We'll wait until it's fixed first."

It happened to Microsoft with Vista, it should happen to Apple with the iPhone 4 IMO.

It's all good. Wee'll see.

"suckers, sheep and fools"

I was paraphrasing your take on the iOS stampede - I stand to be corrected. Anyway, it the liveliest debate it 20 years.

If not, can I get a case for it?

There we go, why didn't Apple simply offer free cases for all those iPhones?

Problem solved, people happy.

Instead they lied and said it was an:

optical illusion caused by faulty software that "mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength."

Why didn't they just fess up?

Yet they're being rewarded for this behavior.

That's all I'm saying.

PS. For the record I don't *HATE* AT&T, they're still my landline provider, they just did me seriously wrong with outrageously bad customer service for their cell phone service and I voted with my wallet. Not to mention fact that I live in SF area and it was always dropping calls and couldn't, at the time, even get a signal when traveling east of Reno to Fernley and Fallon, which Sprint did swimmingly.

[edited by: incrediBILL at 11:25 pm (utc) on Jul 12, 2010]

Do you live in a huge city such as NY or San Fran? If not, AT&T is just as reliable as any other carrier for a smartphone.

Not. My parents just returned from a trip in Utah and lacked coverage for their iPhones most of the time. (They usually had to use the WiFi at the hotels where they stayed.) People with them had little to no problems with other networks. The AT&T issue is one of the main reasons I haven't gotten an iPhone.

Well, that and the monthly cost just can not be justified for my usage. An iPod and a pay-as-you-go cell phone covers what I need to do 80% of the time. A pay-as-you-go MiFi will cover another 19%. For that remaining 1%, I can't see having to pay close to $100/month.

FWIW i think Apple screwed the pooch on this one, and will carry a black eye for a while. Apple users (like me) love their products but are getting sick of having to justify their gadgets to every freind-of a-friend of a guy who heard they suck.

..Yet every one of those people will leap on the first clone that hits the market

People seem to buy Apple stuff just because it's Apple. Can't figure that out and I've got a friend who does exactly that. I like Google stuff, but if they come out with some crud I don't bother to use it. Android's pretty sorted though and a lot cheaper than an iPhone. People should be honest with themselves, demand value for money and stuff that works or vote with their feet, wallet etc.

There we go, why didn't Apple simply offer free cases for all those iPhones?

Instead they lied and said it was an:
optical illusion caused by faulty software that "mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength."

Why didn't they just fess up?

Don't think anyone will argue with you there, the "fix" is a lot of BS.

Speculation that an iPhone 4 recall [cultofmac.com] is inevitable:

Crisis communication experts contacted by CultofMac.com, including the “Master of Disaster” Chris Lehane, agree: the iPhone 4 reception issue presents a Toyota-style PR crisis for Apple, and the company must respond with a more meaningful fix than a software patch.

Now we're talking, make 'em take responsibility and fix it properly.

Others say just "return the phone" but the real fanboys won't do that, they'll tolerate all the quirks, nuances and physical flaws and live the next 2 years of their phone contract doing workarounds.

Here's the real problem - what do you do for a phone while yours is in the shop for repair?

This will be amusing to watch unfold...

@travelin cat, You're absolutely right, being able to describe the iPhone4 as "unquestionably the best toy/gadget [you] have ever owned." I think many folks agree. I'm a little disappointed AAPL hasn't catered a little bit more toward the enterprise market (as opposed to the "toy/gadget market"), but that's just me (a behind-the-times old fogey).

I was a little disappointed when SJ's first reaction was on the order of, "It doesn't get good reception when you hold it like that? Well, *don't hold it like that*!" First thing that flashed into my pea-brain was (I think it was) Abbot and Costello: "Doctor! Doctor! It hurts when I do this!" "Well, don't do that!"

I see AAPL is at the moment cutting itself a bit thin. Whereas GOOG is expanding its market by opening up a gentle app-writing interface for users (somewhat analagous to the easy interface for adding buttons to the GOOG browser toolbar).

AAPL's seeming arrogance may take a bite (however small) out of sales.

If Microsoft tried to pull half the nonsense Apple has in the past year there would be an out and out consumer revolt. But since Apple is seen as the "good guys" they can get away with it.

Any other computer product sold is expected to work properly and people would demand to be able to run any software they wished(Flash, non-Apple apps, etc). But for some reason Apple just gets a pass.

But for some reason Apple just gets a pass.

The reason is very simple - brand loyalty. They make great toys for adults and are masters at marketing their 'cool' products.

I know someone that threw out his Apple laptop after less than a year, but he camps out overnight to get the latest iPad and iPhone.

Crisis communication experts contacted by CultofMac.com, including the “Master of Disaster” Chris Lehane, agree: the iPhone 4 reception issue presents a Toyota-style PR crisis for Apple, and the company must respond with a more meaningful fix than a software patch.

Let's be realistic here, there's just no way Apple will have a hardware recall. At the very least they will give away their ridiculously overpriced $30 bumper for free as a solution. But actually shipping the phones back to Apple? It's not like this is something they can swap out something better for...the phone's design itself is flawed and will likely not be fixed till next year's model. A recall will NEVER happen, it just isn't feasible.

Call me the "outie": Yay Land Line! My 90volt land line has never failed, never delivered pretty pictures or music and works even if the electricity is out. But it works. World Wide. And about 9.90 a month. Not transportable, of course, which means I'm not tempted to answer a call while riding a bike or in the middle of a brawl. (Jokes, but you get the drift)

Mobile computing, sans the computer, does not make sense to me. No iPhone or even Smartphone in my future...

meanwhile, those techbois playing with iPhone and Smartphones amuse me with their rancor, piss and vinegar, and unhappiness. Vast majority do not seem happy with this iteration of the "next" technology...

Meanwhile, I pick up my voice messages and email RELIABLY when (AND IF) I decide to gather...

even if the electricity is out

That's because the phone company provides it's own electricity.

As a matter of fact, there are companies that build products (lamps, fans, etc.) that charge from or run directly off the telco lines.

You can even charge a cell phone off a landline!

Mobile computing, sans the computer, does not make sense to me.

Mobile computing *is* a computer technically, you can root the phone and get a linux command prompt on many smart phones.

When my server goes down I don't have to rush home, I can login via a terminal shell in the phone and operate the server.

Mobile computing is simply a different beast with different primary objectives than a home computer.

Just don't hold your iPhone 4 by the corner when trying to attempt any of these feats of mobile computing :)

My parents just returned from a trip in Utah and lacked coverage for their iPhones most of the time.

My family and I were holidaying in Orlando earlier this month and had the fun of watching the local iPhone 4 release at the Millenia Mall. We first saw lines of about 100 people, then a gap to allow normal people to cross, then 3-4 more such lines until we got to the Apple store.

All four of us each have a 3GS bought late last year, so we can't be tempted for at least 18 months, in time for the iPhone 6 I imagine. Reception was fine throughout FL, roaming between T Mobile and AT&T since we're on an Aussie carrier. A lot of people bought the 3GS which came out after their original iPhone contracts expired, so the takeup here is a little slow.

As I understand it, the Apple case solves the problem. So I don't really follow why they don't just give a free case to everyone that bought an iPhone, and ship them with the case from now on.