If Apple isn’t careful, the iPhone4 is going to be just as much of a PR nightmare as Windows Vista. For a company that prides itself on thinking differently, hiding and denials seem to be pretty unoriginal.

It’s a non-issue because, I haven’t seen a lot of people accidentally dropping calls, just people doing it on purpose. Apple should send everyone who bought an iPhone 4 a free Bumper. It probably costs something like 25 cents for them to make, and it will quiet much of the complaining. A recall would be a ridiculous over-reaction.

The problem is that Apple can’t do anything, really. This problem is deeply rooted in the whole design of the thing and with “design” I don’t mean just how it looks. The external antenna is also a main part of the case and the main structural spine of the phone and this integration is the whole reason for the thing being able to swallow such a really large battery. To “correct” the problem Apple would need to totally redesign the thing, with a new case, a new (internal) antenna, a smaller battery… this takes months or longer and you’d get a phone that is worse than the current model with the only exception of less signal drop when you hold in a certain way. No way.

Apple should have been much more upfront about that from the start and include a bumper in the box. Nobody complains about getting a really nice and thin phone with a large battery and a good reception as long as you use a case or avoid holding it in a certain way. People complain about others having to explain that instead of Apple just being open about it. I agree that this is a PR problem. But it’s too late to change that.

@ Will: The real issue is that people are exaggerating the effect, which you are doing right on this forum. There *aren’t* “tons of videos showing the calls dropping as soon as they cover the bottom left corner,” out on the net. If everyone was being rational and calm there wouldn’t be a problem. It’s the hysterical reactions like yours that are causing the perception that the article is talking about.

I agree with Gazoobee and would add that virtually the entire case against the iPhone4 is anecdotal, not empirical. Where are the hard numbers? How many iPhone4s – out of the millions sold – have been returned?

So yeah, Apple has a PR problem… one blown up and forced upon them by a sensationalist tech media.

Its a non-issue for me, because when I buy a $199 phone (that costs $599 to replace out of contract) I do the responsible thing and buy a case for it, and I suspect 99% of the people who buy an iPhone 4 will do just that.

I think the issue is more to do with the hysterics the tech “journalism” community engages in than it is the phone itself or Apple P.R. The same thing was true of Toyota.

Toyota had a legitimate problem but at the height of the hysteria if you watched or read enough news you began to believe your Corolla had gained sentiency and was actively trying to murder you.

I’d submit that hysteria is even worse with iPhone 4 while the issue at stake is actually much much less important or severe.

The real solution would be for bloggers to act like journalists and stop trying to make news. Sadly, that won’t happen. So I suspect we’ll see new iPhone orders shipping with the “bumper” case within the month.

As an iPhone owner, I can tell you that you are coming across as biased and or brainwashed. Either way, you have no place in objective journalism.

Although CR’s testing was not any more scientific then the tests done by any of the jillions of tech blogs and therefore is hardly conclusive of anything, that is beside the point. I have an iPhone 4 and at times I can recreate the bar drop, other times I can’t. The actual scope of the problem is still unknown, as the people who post and comment on tech blogs hardly constitutes the majority of iPhone 4 owners. The point is, as noted, Apple, through their infamous non-responsiveness to issues (both perceived and actual) has created a PR nightmare which is especially damaging at a time when it’s become cool and trendy to hate on Apple. It’s ballooned so out of proportion that it’s gotten traction in the mainstream press who have no clue what they’re talking about but parrot whatever Gizmodo or Engadget or whoever spew as gospel truth. I cringed listening to the morning airheads on CNN babble on about it, clearly having no clue wtf they were talking about. All Apple needs to do is just say look, if you’re having a problem let us know and we’ll give you a bumper. They don’t even need to admit whether it’s a flaw or not. Those bumpers can cost any more than a couple of bucks each to make. Yes, I know that ads up, but it would go a long way towards helping to repair Apple’s brand perception by the public and that should be far more valuable to them.

I don’t believe it’s a NON-issue. It may not be a practical issue for most, but the reception degradation IS real, and some people really like to hold their unadorned phone and use it that way, and admire its industrial design beauty (which is an attribute that Apple touted, BTW).

Apple DOES need to mollify its fans and users by providing a truthful response, a reasonable FREE solution, and an accommodation to purchasers who rightfully expected a “magical” experience – a good apology would include some iTunes cred or other perk.

Many sellers of products or services will offer a small percentage refund, or additional “gift” when the customer is not satisfied. Apple should do this, IMO.

If I use my iPhone in an area where I’m receiving strong signal strength, this isn’t an issue for me. However, if I’m at home where I only manage to typically get between 1 to 2 bars, and my hand hits the death spot, then invariably either the person on the other end suddenly can’t hear me or, more typically, the call drops. That gets pretty tiresome.

Normally, I use the bumper (which still doesn’t help the low signal strength in my area but does help avoid dropped calls). But my older Apple USB charging cables at home don’t fit the bumper, so I have to take it off when I want a charge.

Would I return my iPhone 4? Absolutely not! But, the death grip problem is real. So, I just have to resign myself right now to using the bumper, or hoping that AT&T might give me a free microcells to boost my home 3G signal. To me it’s not that big of a deal.

Why is it, whenever there is a perceived scandal, reporters must always add the word “gate” to the end of the subject word? “Antennagate”…really? When is this cliche madness going to end?? Damn you Nixon! DAAAAAMMMMNNNN YOOUUUU!!!

nb: I do find it interesting that Apple, having NEVER offered any kind of case for previous iPhones, come up with a “bumper” that just happens to insulate the metal band around the phone….almost as if they knew…. curiouser and curiouser…

And, yes, I know it’s iPhone 4 – not iPone…

I bought my iPhone after the hysteria broke out. I like it much better then the 3Gs. I have not experienced the antenna problem. It actually holds calls better in more places then the 3Gs. The signal will never be the same as Verizon or T-Mobile in the States until AT&T fixes their inherent problem of call drops evident since 2003 when they converted to GSM. Such a shame for a company that used to have signal strength in the middle of the Mohave desert.

The iPhone 4g is fast as a laptop, takes great pics and HD video. The email and UI are the best out there and the build quality is still the best in the mobile industry. This is an Apple tower in your pocket.

“If Apple isn’t careful, the iPhone4 is going to be just as much of a PR nightmare as Windows Vista.”

LOL. iPhone 4 is a fucking great product. Windows Vista was a piece of garbage. I suspect that subtle difference may lead to different PR outcomes.

The problem with the iphone4 is not that it is a non-issue for some. The problem is that this issue is due to a design flaw and that is by definition an ISSUE whatever people want to say, especially when it deals with the core functionality of the product. I do not pay hundreds of dollars for a flawed product. What about those who pay the full price, what do you think they feel? Some will, with no second thoughts, say how wonderful the product is… well I am happy for them that they either accept this issue as mundane or they are Apple brainwashed. Either way, a product that doesn’t work properly because of misconception needs to be recalled for review and I am not to be told how I am supposed to hold my phone or if I should put a bumper. That lies on my own will and freedom. Come on, who the hell Jobs think he is by giving people ergonomic lessons like that? Does anyone tell him how to hold his phone? I really doubt that.

It’s like buying a computer that will not save files if you touch the upper left corner!! Huh? You wouldn’t like that, would you? Obviously the chances to touch that part of the computer while saving a file are insignificant while you are working but the problem should simply not exist. It’s not a matter of how often it will affect you but rather if and when it will affect you at all… and as the Murphy’s Law states, it will undoubtedly happen to you with the worst effects and at the worst moment!

So instead of looking down on your customers and making them feel they are the ones who have a problem by not holding their phones as Jobs would like them to, I would suggest Apple and Stevie to take their responsibilities as they should. Unfortunately it seems they are too pretentious to believe they make flawed products and the idea of loosing money by recalling the iPhone4 must probably be their worst nightmare. It’s all about money after all and that is what will doom us all one day.

Apple has always meticulously hammered people how they only focus on perfection and high end products (by also constantly blaming Microsoft of their “second class products”). Maybe it’s also time for Apple to show some modesty by accepting they have done something wrong. That at least would show some respect to those who have been faithful to the brand and show that no one is perfect… even Jobs!

I have an idea for Steve. Why doesn’t Apple hire all these geniuses who seem to know everything about what Apple’s doing wrong, and how they could fix it?

Let them run the company with humility, as opposed to the arrogance Apple’s known for. Let em open up all Apple’s SUPPORT forums for unproductive criticism. Let them offer free bumpers with every iPhone in hope that they’d shut up. Treat the customers with the “respect” they deserve by making a public statement admitting that the iPhone 4 has a built-in fault that’s likely to remain until the iPhone 5 is released. And finally, when in doubt, recall the products!

Yeah, let’s see where that gets Apple. Who needs experience as a source of knowledge when you have the collective minds of the community telling them what to do.

Mi iPhone 4 NO tiene ningún problema de señal ya lo tape por todos lados y no pierdo nunca la señal, entonces? que dicen a eso?

Hmmmmm. Fan boys much!!!!!! When I hold my phone (you know to make calls or check email) the connection is dropped. Then the manufacturer tries to say it is software related (bullsh*t), and in the process admits they’ve been misrepresenting signal strength for years. Come on people! Admit that Apple screwed up on this one! Or is it too hard to diss the company around which many of you have crafted your personal identity.

Lets face it there is a problem. Tell me one other cell phone you HAVE to hold a certain way? Tell me one other phone you HAVE to put a cover on. Well I guess since I HAVE to have health insurance I should not be supprised…….

I do not think the Evo is”better” than the Iphone but the Iphone does have problems can we agree on that basic statement. I love the Iphone but until they fix the problems that it has I will use the Evo simply because it does not have any problems. I never HAD to buy a case for my 3G. I bought one because I WANTED to.